Skip to main content

Joe Louis

View
@ National Portrait Gallery

Description

Born La Fayette, AlabamaAfter launching his professional boxing career in 1934, Joe Louis made short work of a string of opponents who fell victim to his punishing knockout punch. On his way to winning the heavyweight title in 1937, the heavily favored Louis was staggered by his 1936 defeat at the hands of German boxer Max Schmeling. When the two fighters met in a historic rematch in 1938, the outcome was dramatically different. Buoyed by a tremendous outpouring of support from blacks and whites alike, the “Brown Bomber” KO’d the myth of Aryan supremacy by taking just 124 seconds to pummel Adolph Hitler’s champion and retain the world heavyweight crown. A hero to millions for the rest of his life, Louis successfully defended his title for twelve years to become one of the longest-reigning champions in the history of heavyweight boxing.Nacido en La Fayette, AlabamaLuego de lanzar su carrera boxística en 1934, Joe Louis despachó a una larga lista de oponentes que sucumbieron al castigo de su poderoso puño. En camino a ganar el título de peso completo en 1937, y siendo el claro favorito, Louis sufrió un revés al ser derrotado en 1936 por el púgil alemán Max Schmeling. Sin embargo, cuando ambos se enfrentaron de nuevo en 1938, el resultado fue dramáticamente diferente. Animado por las enormes demostraciones de apoyo del público negro y blanco por igual, el “Bombardero Moreno” echó a tierra el mito de la supremacía aria: en tan solo 124 segundos, venció por nocaut al...
Type:
Image
Format:
Gelatin Silver Print
Rights:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
View Original At:

Record Contributed By

National Portrait Gallery

Record Harvested From

Smithsonian Institution