Facing General Motors Head On: A boxer in the fight of his life with corporate America

LANSING, Mich. – In the boxing ring, he was a warrior that wouldn’t give up. He had no idea he would need to use those same skills in the courtroom years later. Elmo Hudson is talking about his 17-year battle with General Motors in his new book, Boxer of the Year, which recounts what he says was job discrimination and a brutal assault by a racist co-worker.

“This situation was just like a lynch mob during the Civil Rights movement in Montgomery [Ala.] during the time of Martin Luther King Jr.,” Hudson says. “This book is to inform the public how General Motors treats black employees who file complaints and lawsuits against them. They will commit fraud and conspiracy before the courts.”

Hudson contends that after he filed a complaint, General Motors denied him a higher-paying job. He says it was his obligation and duty to clear his name by filing two civil rights lawsuits against GM.

Hudson received a settlement from GM in July of 2000. He compares his legal fight to his time in the boxing ring. Hudson won several titles in Golden Gloves boxing, was nominated for All-Army boxing and was the first African American to win Lansing’s Boxer of the Year award.

“This book is about all the pain and hardship I have to go through as a result of this ordeal,” says Hudson. “This will inform African Americans how they can be victorious against a large corporation. I’m still trying to get some closure.”

About the author

Elmo Hudson pursued his complaints and lawsuits against General Motors from 1983-2000. Hudson feels he is still capable of getting the justice he deserves “as a believer and an African American.” Hudson became a Christian at 28 after a drunk driving arrest. He has since been involved in prison ministries and ex-offender reentry programs. Hudson lives in Lansing, Mich., with his family.