Joe Louis
On June 22, 1937, Louis knocked out James J. Braddock in the eighth round to become world heavyweight champion at age 23. A year later, his first-round demolition of German Max Schmeling in their 1938 rematch made him a national hero and a symbol of American defiance against Nazism.
Out of Alabama
Born in a sharecropper's cabin near Lafayette, Alabama, Louis moved with his family to Detroit. He took up boxing as a teenager and rose quickly through the amateur ranks before turning professional in 1934.
The Fight of the Century
His 1938 rematch with Max Schmeling carried enormous political weight as war loomed in Europe. Louis ended it in just over two minutes, becoming a hero to Americans of all backgrounds and a powerful symbol against fascism.
The Brown Bomber's Reign
Louis dominated the heavyweight division like no one before him, defending his title a record 25 times. He retired as champion in 1949 and remains one of the most influential and admired boxers in history.
Career Timeline
- 1934Turns professional as a heavyweight boxer
- 1936Suffers first loss, knocked out by Max Schmeling
- 1937Defeats James Braddock for heavyweight title
- 1938Knocks out Schmeling in first round of rematch
- 1941Stops Billy Conn in famous title defense
- 1942Enlists in U.S. Army during World War II
- 1948Defends title for a record 25th time
- 1949Retires as undefeated heavyweight champion
- 1951Final comeback bout, loses to Rocky Marciano
- 1954Inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame
- 1981Dies of cardiac arrest at age 66
Biggest Hits
- Louis held the world heavyweight title for nearly 12 years, from 1937 to 1949, the longest single reign in the division's history.
- During World War II he donated fight purses to Army and Navy relief funds and was later buried at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.
Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons