Joe Louis
“The Brown Bomber” Joe Louis’ reign as heavyweight champion is legendary. He held the title for 140 months and successfully defended it a record 25 times.
He was known for his punching power, often rating as high as first on all-time rankings, and for becoming the first African-American to achieve mainstream stardom in a United States still brimming with racism.
Louis is well known for a 1936 loss to Max Schmeling, in the Fight of the Year, and for wins over James J. Braddock, Billy Conn, Jersey Joe Walcott and a later first-round knockout of Schmeling to avenge his earlier defeat.