Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling – 1938
In the mid 1930s Germany was looking to show the world how great their athletes were. Max Schmeling, a German heavyweight, was considered to be one of the best in the world. At the time of the first fight between Louis and Schmeling Germany was also in the midst of planning to host the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
Max Schmeling defeated Joe Louis on June 19th 1936 in the first fight between the two. Louis was 24-0 and in line for a title shot when he was KO’d by Schmeiling in the 12th round. Promoters refused to give Schmeiling a shot at world champion James J. Braddock however, due to the belief that if the German won the title he would refuse all challenges by American fighters. They would give a title shot to Louis however, who promptly KO’d Braddock in the 8th to win the title.
Louis immediately decreed he was not the real world champion however. Not until he defeated Schmeling anyway. The rematch was set for June 22nd 1938. At the time Germany had already taken over Austria and would invade Poland 15 months later. Their propaganda machine was already in full effect, and they loved being able to say they had the top boxer in the world. Joe Louis promptly ended that for Germany however, knocking Schmeiling out in just over 2 minutes into the rematch.
It should be noted that Max Schmeling did not identify with the Nazi party, refused to fire his Jewish manager when the Nazi party demanded it, and would eventually run afoul with the German government before the end of WWII. In their later years Louis and Schmeling became friends, with Schmeling serving as a pallbearer at Louis’ funeral.
