Joe Louis
Six-inch punches, twenty-five title defences.
- Born
- May 13, 1914, LaFayette, Alabama, US
- Died
- April 12, 1981 (aged 66)
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 187 cm (6′2″)
- Reach
- 193 cm (6′4″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Compact power puncher
- Weight
- Heavyweight
- Active
- 1934–1951
The record
Professional; Wikipedia infobox figure. IBHOF lists 68-3 (54 KO) in 71 bouts record
The story
oseph Louis Barrow was born in Alabama, learned to box in Detroit and won the 1934 national AAU light heavyweight title before turning pro that summer. His only early setback was a 12th-round knockout by Max Schmeling in 1936. A year later he knocked out James J. Braddock to become world heavyweight champion, and he kept the title for 11 years and 8 months, a record for any division, with 25 successful defences. The 1938 rematch with Schmeling, sold as a political showdown, lasted 2 minutes and 4 seconds. He served in the U.S. Army during the Second World War and retired as champion in 1949. His comeback ended with a loss to Rocky Marciano in 1951.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- World heavyweight champion (1937–1949)
- Record 25 successful heavyweight title defences
- Longest heavyweight title reign: 11 years, 8 months
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- The Ring Fighter of the Year (1936, 1938, 1939, 1941)
- Congressional Gold Medal (posthumous, 1982)
Defining fights
- 1935WINvs Primo Carnera (TKO 6)
- 1936LOSSvs Max Schmeling (KO 12)
- 1937WINvs James J. Braddock (KO 8, won heavyweight title)
- 1938WINvs Max Schmeling (TKO 1, rematch lasted 2:04)
- 1941WINvs Billy Conn (KO 13, while behind on the cards)
Bring the jab hand straight back to your chin every time. Schmeling knocked Louis out in 1936 by timing his dropped left after the jab; Louis fixed the habit and won the rematch in the first round.
