Joe Louis: First Black Boxer

 Joe Louis

Joe Louis, the first African American boxer, became the world heavyweight champion and held the title from June 22, 1937, after knocking out James J. Braddock, in eight rounds in Chicago until his brief retirement on March 1, 1949. He was the longest reigning champion in any division's history, He defended his title 25 times more than any other champion. From 1942 to 1945, World War II interrupted his career likely preventing many more title defenses. Known for his accurate and economical knockout punches, Louis's Legacy is Unparalleled. 

Louis's Childhood 

Louis's had a challenging childhood, at the age of two, his father was admitted to a mental hospital. His mother moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Louis took up amateur boxing. In 1934. he won the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union 175-pound championship and became a Golden Gloves titleholder. Over the next 12 months, he defeated six previous and future heavyweight champions, including Primo Carnera, Max Baer, Jack Sharkey, Braddock, and German champion Max Schmeling and Jersey Joe Walcott. 

Being a Black Boxer

Louis's first loss was in 1936 to Schmeling, however, in 1938 when a rematch was set, the media portrayed it as a clash between Nazism and Democracy. Even though Schmeling did not consider himself to be a Nazi, Louis's first-round knockout victory made him a national hero. He was the first Black American widely admired by whites, credited to his extraordinary skill, sportsmanship, humility, and discretion in his private life. Louis was at his peak from 1939 to 1942, defending his championship seven times from December 1940 to June 1941.

World War II

In 1942 Louis enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in a segregated unit alongside Jackie Robinson (Who would later become the first African American to play in Major League baseball). Though he did not see combat, he fought in 96 exhibition matches for troops and donated over $100,000 to military relief funds. 

Louis vs the IRS

Post-war, his activity weakened and in 1949 he retired as the Undefeated champion, allowing Ezzard Charles to succeed him, despite earning nearly $5 million, Louis faced financial difficulties due to spending and generosity. When the IRS demanded over $ 1 million in back taxes and penalties, Louis returned to the ring, losing a 15-round decision to Charles on September 27, 1950, and being knocked out by future champion Rocky Marciano on October 26, 195. His record from 1934 to 195 was 71 bouts, with 65 wins and 51 by knockout. 

Louis's Legacy 

A Hollywood movie, "The Joe Louis Story," was made in 1953 after his second retirement, facing more financial troubles, Louis decided to work as a professional wrestler and later was a greeter at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Louis passed away in 1981, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, with Schmeling as one of his pallbearers. Louis remained a Detroit icon, with the Joe Louis Arena home to the Detroit Red Wings from 1979 to 2017, and a public monument erected in 1986. 

Joe Louis was inducted into the Ring Magazine Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1982.