godfrey twice won the world colored heavyweight championship. when harry wills was stripped of the title after losing by disqualification to jack sharkey on 12 october 1926, godfrey defeated larry gains on 8 november 1926 in buffalo, new york on a tko in the 6th round. godfrey made three defenses of the title, which was retaken by gaines on 15 august 1928 in buffalo when godfrey was disqualified.