Joe Louis: Boxing
Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), popularly known as Joe Louis, was an American boxer and the world heavyweight boxing champion from June 22, 1937 until March 1, 1949 making him the longest title holder than anyone else in history. He was the first African-American to attain the rank of a countrywide hero within the United States and a center of anti-Nazi response leading up to and during the World War II. Joe Louis is known to bruise his opponents with a crushing left jab and hook.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Joe Louis’ supremacy lasted for 140 successive months. He won over 25 title defenses for the heavy weight division. In 2005, he was ranked as the top 1 heavyweight boxer of all-time by the International Boxing Research organization. Louis held the belt for nearly 12 years which made it a boxing record.
His most outstanding record is knocking out 23 opponents in 27 title fights, as well as 5 world champions.
Why Was He So Good?
Joe Louis helped advance boxing from a regressing recognition by building a character as a truthful, diligent fighter during a time when boxing was subjugated by betting activities.
What You May Not Know
- Joe Louis was a musical boxer. Before boxing, he took his time off from school and work with violin lessons.
- He enlisted with the army in 1942 and donated money from his own savings twice to fund military relief.
In 1952, Louis broke golf’s color barrier in America when he appeared under a sponsor’s exception in a PGA event. - In his entire career, out of 70 total fights, he only has 3 losses.
- Joe Louis uttered two of the most famous boxing quotes in history – “He can run, but he can’t hide” and “Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit.”
Related Pages
- More Boxer Profiles
- About Boxing
- Athlete Database home
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