Professional Boxer. Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber," he was Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1937 to 1949. He began his pro career in 1934, and by 1936 he had beaten such great heavyweights as Stanley Poreda, Natie Brown, and Rosco Toles. He was seemingly invincible, until his meeting with Max Schmeling on June 19, 1936. Schmeling was the underdog but, to the surprise of all, gave Joe Louis a stinging defeat by knocking him out in the 12th round. In 1937, he faced World Heavyweight Champion James J. Braddock in Chicago. In an eight round match, he captured the Heavyweight Championship of the World by knocking Braddock out. After this victory, Joe Louis stated, "I don't want nobody to call me champ until I beat Schmeling." On June 22, 1938, he again took on the man who had beaten him, Max Schmeling. With Adolph Hitler marching across Europe the fight became a huge international event. This time around, Joe Louis knocked Schmeling out in the first round and captured the admiration of countless Americans. As Champion, he took such boxers as Lou Nova, Tony Galento, Gus Dorazio, Buddy Baer, and Johnny Paycheck. In an epic battle with Billy Conn at the Polo Grounds in 1941, he was behind on the scorecards and came back to knock out Conn in the late rounds. During World War II (WWII), he served in the United States Army, then returned to the ring to defend his title several more times before retiring in 1949, still the undefeated Champion and with an astonishing 25 title defenses. He tried several comebacks to the ring but they were unfortunately unsuccessful and he retired for good in 1951. He still holds the distinction of having successfully defended his title more times than any other heavyweight in history. His life and success story serve as proof that black and white Americans can coexist. When he died in 1981, Joe Louis was eulogized, and continues to be known, as one of the greatest prizefighters of all time.
Professional Boxer. Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber," he was Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1937 to 1949. He began his pro career in 1934, and by 1936 he had beaten such great heavyweights as Stanley Poreda, Natie Brown, and Rosco Toles. He was seemingly invincible, until his meeting with Max Schmeling on June 19, 1936. Schmeling was the underdog but, to the surprise of all, gave Joe Louis a stinging defeat by knocking him out in the 12th round. In 1937, he faced World Heavyweight Champion James J. Braddock in Chicago. In an eight round match, he captured the Heavyweight Championship of the World by knocking Braddock out. After this victory, Joe Louis stated, "I don't want nobody to call me champ until I beat Schmeling." On June 22, 1938, he again took on the man who had beaten him, Max Schmeling. With Adolph Hitler marching across Europe the fight became a huge international event. This time around, Joe Louis knocked Schmeling out in the first round and captured the admiration of countless Americans. As Champion, he took such boxers as Lou Nova, Tony Galento, Gus Dorazio, Buddy Baer, and Johnny Paycheck. In an epic battle with Billy Conn at the Polo Grounds in 1941, he was behind on the scorecards and came back to knock out Conn in the late rounds. During World War II (WWII), he served in the United States Army, then returned to the ring to defend his title several more times before retiring in 1949, still the undefeated Champion and with an astonishing 25 title defenses. He tried several comebacks to the ring but they were unfortunately unsuccessful and he retired for good in 1951. He still holds the distinction of having successfully defended his title more times than any other heavyweight in history. His life and success story serve as proof that black and white Americans can coexist. When he died in 1981, Joe Louis was eulogized, and continues to be known, as one of the greatest prizefighters of all time.
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Joe Louis
(Barrow)
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army
May 13, 1914 - April 12, 1981
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