Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling by Kierstin Livermore

Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling refers to two separate fights which are among boxing's most talked about. Schmeling won the first match by a knockout in round twelve, but in the second match, Louis won through a knockout in the first round. Although the two champions met to create a pugilistic spectacle remarkable on its own terms, the two fights came to embody the broader political and social conflict of the times. As the first significant African American athlete since Jack Johnson, Louis was among the few focal points for African American pride in the 1930s. Moreover, as a contest between representatives of the United States and Nazi Germany during the 1930s, the fights came to symbolize the struggle between democracy and fascism. Louis' performance in the bouts therefore elevated him to the status of the first true African American national hero in the United States.

The first fight between Louis and Schmeling took place on June 19, 1936, at the famous Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. The stadium was completely sold out with spectators wanting to see the rising star against the famed world champion. As rounds went by, Louis suffered various injuries, including one to the eye. Louis remained busy, trying to land a punch that would give him a knockout victory, but, with eyesight trouble and Schmeling's jab constantly in his face, this proved impossible.By round twelve, Schmeling was far ahead on the judges' scorecards. Finally, he landed a right to Louis' body, followed by another right hand, this one to the jaw. This was Louis' only knockout defeat during his prime.

The Louis-Schmeling rematch came on June 22, 1938 – one year from the day Louis had won the world Heavyweight title. The fighters met once again in a sold-out Yankee Stadium in New York City with 70,000 attendees. Louis' strategy from the first fight had changed from the first round. He dedicated all of his energy to the first three rounds of the fight. After only a few seconds of fighting, Louis unleashed a tireless barrage on Schmeling. Referee Arthur Donovan stopped action for the first time just over one minute and a half into the fight after Louis connected on five left hooks and a body blow to Schmeling's lower left which had him audibly crying in pain. After released from his corner, Louis focused on Schmeling's head. With few defenses left at this point, Louis connected at will, sending Schmeling to the canvas for the third time in short order, this time near the ring's center. At the count of eight, Schmeling's cornerman, Max Machon, was in the ring and referee Arthur Donovan declared the fight over. Louis was the winner and world Heavyweight champion, by a technical knockout, two minutes and four seconds into the first round. Louis had thrown 41 punches in the fight, 31 of which landed solidly. In contrast, Schmeling only threw 2 punches. Soundly defeated, Schmeling had to be admitted to Polyclinic Hospital for ten days. During his stay, it was discovered that Louis had cracked several vertebrae in Schmeling's back. 

The fight had racial as well as political undertones. Much of black America pinned its hopes on the outcome of the fight, seeing Louis' success as a vehicle for advancing the cause of African Americans everywhere. Louis went on to become a major celebrity in the United States and, moreover, is considered the first true African American national hero. Louis and Schmeling developed a life-long friendship outside the ring, which endured until Louis' death in 1981. Schmeling lived unitl 2005 at the age of 99.