Louis, Joe (1914–1981)
US boxer, nicknamed ‘the Brown Bomber’. He was world heavyweight champion 1937–49, a record 11 years and 252 days, and successfully defended his title 25 times (a record for any weight). Louis announced his retirement, undefeated, in 1949, but made a comeback and lost to US boxer Ezzard Charles in a world title fight in 1950.
Career highlights
Professional record
fights: 71; wins: 68 (54 within the distance); defeats: 3World heavyweight champion
1937–48In the first round of his first fight, Louis achieved his first knockout. He suffered his first defeat, and knockout, at the hands of German boxer Max Schmeling in 1936. Two years later, in a contest that was seen as a battle of race and ideologies, he turned the tables, and defeated Schmeling with a knockout.
He joined the army in 1942 and was sent to Europe in 1944. His talks and boxing exhibitions during the war earned him the Legion of Merit for his contribution to morale.
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