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On June 22, 1937, heavyweight champion of the world James J. Braddock climbed into the ring at Comiskey Park to make his first defense since winning the crown from Max Baer two years before. His opponent was the acclaimed 6'-2" diabolical killing machine, Joe Louis from Detroit, hailed heir apparent to Jack Johnson.
This was the first time an African American ever received a shot at the heavyweight championship since 1915. For twenty-two years many black figthers were frozen out of a chance at the big one. Sam Langford, Harry Wills, George Godfrey, and others were deserving at the chance, but didn't get it. Louis however was something beyond that. Louis, essentially was the "uncrowned" champion. In his short three year career, the "brown bomber" had left total destruction on the heavyweight scene. He had taken care within one year, most of the top 10 heavyweights, and then came the ex-champions. Primo Carnera - six rounds, Max Baer - four rounds, Jack Sharkey - three rounds; this time Braddock would be next. The only one that escaped was Germany's Max Schmeling, who had scored at that time the greatest upset in the history of boxing. But at the time, Joe wasn't prepared. This time he was.
Braddock knew he was in for the fight of his life, but not without security. Louis' promoter Mike Jacobs, owner of 20th Century outfoxed Max Schmeling's promoter Jimmy Johnston at Madison Square Garden by giving Joe Gould, Braddock's manager in addition to the gate percentage, 10% of Joe Louis' earnings for the next ten years. At least Braddock had one pleasant thought to think about when in the ring.
At the start of round one, Braddock carried the fight to the hungry challenger, suprising everyone by decking the heavy favorite early. Louis got up without a count and lasted the round. However, that success for Braddock was short lived. Louis became once again the dynamo that had pulverized Max Baer. He pounded Braddock into submission for the next seven rounds. Braddock showed the heart of a lion, but was essentially overpowered. In the eighth, Louis hit Braddock with a left that pushed Braddock's left arm out of the way, leaving him defenseless for Joe's right that nearly decapitated the bloodied combabtant. Braddock went down like a sack of grain, and didn't gain consciousness until the fight was over.
There are many moments when boxing and history intersect. One of them was this fight. Louis became the first heavyweight champion since Jack Johnson and broke the color line, again. This time it was for good. This was also important because it forced many whites to stand up and take notice. This was about as important IMO as Jackie Robinson breaking into the major league, because Louis made America feel comfortable about blacks in the mainstrem of not only sports, but thee sport.
This was a very historic day in boxing history, and American history. Once again, Joe Louis 70 years ago today knocks out Jim Braddock in eight rounds to become the second black heavyweight champion in history!
This was the first time an African American ever received a shot at the heavyweight championship since 1915. For twenty-two years many black figthers were frozen out of a chance at the big one. Sam Langford, Harry Wills, George Godfrey, and others were deserving at the chance, but didn't get it. Louis however was something beyond that. Louis, essentially was the "uncrowned" champion. In his short three year career, the "brown bomber" had left total destruction on the heavyweight scene. He had taken care within one year, most of the top 10 heavyweights, and then came the ex-champions. Primo Carnera - six rounds, Max Baer - four rounds, Jack Sharkey - three rounds; this time Braddock would be next. The only one that escaped was Germany's Max Schmeling, who had scored at that time the greatest upset in the history of boxing. But at the time, Joe wasn't prepared. This time he was.
Braddock knew he was in for the fight of his life, but not without security. Louis' promoter Mike Jacobs, owner of 20th Century outfoxed Max Schmeling's promoter Jimmy Johnston at Madison Square Garden by giving Joe Gould, Braddock's manager in addition to the gate percentage, 10% of Joe Louis' earnings for the next ten years. At least Braddock had one pleasant thought to think about when in the ring.
At the start of round one, Braddock carried the fight to the hungry challenger, suprising everyone by decking the heavy favorite early. Louis got up without a count and lasted the round. However, that success for Braddock was short lived. Louis became once again the dynamo that had pulverized Max Baer. He pounded Braddock into submission for the next seven rounds. Braddock showed the heart of a lion, but was essentially overpowered. In the eighth, Louis hit Braddock with a left that pushed Braddock's left arm out of the way, leaving him defenseless for Joe's right that nearly decapitated the bloodied combabtant. Braddock went down like a sack of grain, and didn't gain consciousness until the fight was over.
There are many moments when boxing and history intersect. One of them was this fight. Louis became the first heavyweight champion since Jack Johnson and broke the color line, again. This time it was for good. This was also important because it forced many whites to stand up and take notice. This was about as important IMO as Jackie Robinson breaking into the major league, because Louis made America feel comfortable about blacks in the mainstrem of not only sports, but thee sport.
This was a very historic day in boxing history, and American history. Once again, Joe Louis 70 years ago today knocks out Jim Braddock in eight rounds to become the second black heavyweight champion in history!
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