SPORTSCLOPEDIA 58: JOE LOUIS KNOCKS OUT JAMES J. BRADDOCK ON JUNE 22, 1937 TO START THE LONGEST REIGN AS CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Jun 2023
Joseph Louis Barrow competed from 1934 to 1951. Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, Louis is considered by many as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. He was the world heavyweight champion from 1937 until he temporarily retired in 1949, winning 25 consecutive title defenses which is a record for all weight classes. Louis had the longest single reign as champion of any boxer in history of 11 years, 8 months, 8 days.
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The Brown Bomber stood at 6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm) with a reach of 76 in (193 cm). He was born on May 13, 1914 in LaFayette, Alabama, U.S. and died on April 12, 1981 (aged 66) in Paradise, Nevada, U.S. He was an orthodox fighter.
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Joe Louis suffered only three losses in his 69 professional fights. He scored 52 knockouts and held the championship from 1937 to 1949, the longest reign of any heavyweight titleholder. After returning from retirement, Louis failed to regain the championship in 1950, and his career ended after he was knocked out by Rocky Marciano in 1951.
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In his 33rd career fight, aged 23 years, 40 days, he faced champion James J. Braddock on June 22, 1937 at the Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. He won the New York State Athletic Commission title, the National Boxing Association title, and The Ring heavyweight title.
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Braddock won the title by defeating Max Baer on June 13, 1935 at Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York, U.S. Baer demanded a rematch, but the fight never occurred. Baer instead fought Joe Louis and Louis defeated Baer.
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It gave the opportunity for Louis to fight Braddock for the title even if in between the Baer fight and this title fight, Louis was defeated by Max Schmeling. It was only Braddock's first defense and happened more than two years after winning the title.
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Louis was knocked down early in the fight, but recovered to win by knockout in the eighth round. This fight began a record title reign by Louis that spanned for almost 12 years continuous rule as champion where he defeated 25 challengers, and both achievements are still unparalleled.
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