Joe Louis
“The Brown Bomber”
Titles & honours
- World Heavyweight Champion (1937–1949)
Biography
Joseph Louis Barrow, born to Alabama sharecroppers in 1914 and raised in Detroit, held the world heavyweight title for 11 years and 8 months — still the longest reign in heavyweight history. His 25 successful title defences is also a record that may never be broken. Louis's combination boxing — short, sharp, geometrically perfect punches in chains of three and four — set the modern template for heavyweight offence. His 1938 rematch with Max Schmeling (whom Schmeling had knocked out in 1936) finished in 2:04 of the first round and was the most politically charged sporting event of the pre-war era. Louis enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and donated his entire purse from two title fights to military relief funds. Financial difficulties in retirement led to a 1950 comeback against Ezzard Charles, which he lost; he retired permanently in 1951 after a loss to Rocky Marciano. Died 1981; buried with full military honours at Arlington National Cemetery.