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Joe Louis becomes Champion...



Item # 582761

June 22, 1937

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, June 22, 1937
 
* Joe Louis to win World Boxing Heavyweight title (day of)
* James Braddock - pre fight reporting

This 8 page newspaper has two column headlines on page 7: "JOE LOUIS FAVORED IN PRE-FIGHT DOPE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT" and "Negro Believed to Pack to Much Wallop for Aged Champion..."  This was to be Joe Louis' 1st time as champion.

Other news of the day including various advertising. Light browning, minor margin wear, but otherwise in good condition.
 
wikipedia notesIn 1935, Louis fought 13 times, creating an extraordinary sensation. He knocked out his first world champion, former world heavyweight champion Primo Carnera, in six rounds. Louis then knocked out the iron-chinned former heavyweight champion Max Baer in four rounds. Before losing to Louis, Baer had been knocked down only once, by Frankie Campbell. Louis also knocked out Paolino Uzcudun, who had never been knocked down or out before Louis KO'd him.


In his next fight, he was matched with former world heavyweight champion Max Schmeling. Although not considered a threat, the German had studied Louis' style intently, and believed he had found a weakness. By exploiting Louis' habit of dropping his left low after a jab, Schmeling handed Louis his first loss by knocking him out in round 12 in New York.

Louis, despite the loss, was awarded a title shot by champion James J. Braddock after negotiations with Madison Square Gardens number 1 contender Schmeling broke down. Braddock, looking to retire on a large payoff, was promised a more lucrative fight with the Brown Bomber after Louis bounced back up the pecking order by knocking out former champion Jack Sharkey. Schmeling (and the Nazi government) were furious, and insisted that a win over highly ranked Sharkey did not reverse the Louis defeat by Schmeling, which was considered a title eliminator. The matter was settled in court, and Madison Square Garden and Schmeling lost. The fight was staged in Chicago, and Braddocks heavyweight championship would be up for grabs. Despite a knock down in round 1, Louis defeated the plucky 'Cinderella Man' by KO in round 8. Joe Louis was heavyweight champion of the world.

Category: The 20th Century