Joe Louis

Joe Louis was not only the best heavyweight boxer of this decade but possibly of all-time. Louis was the heavyweight champ from 1937 to 1949 when he retired. Although granted some of this long period was due to war but it is unlikely that there was anyone who would of beat him during that time when he was in his prime. The first black heavyweight champ since Johnson. He was instructed never to smile after beating a white opponent but would later become a national icon for all Americans when he beat Max Schmelling in their famous rematch fight in 1938. Louis had a great combination of boxing skills and power which led him to a 60-1 record with 51 KO's at the time of his retirement in 1949.


In 1935 he would get his first test against big name boxers. In just one year as pro Louis made his way to the top ten. His first opponent on his way to being a top contender was against the Italian Giant Primo Carnera who had been the Champ in 1933 when he KO'd Jack Sharkey. In early sign of things to come for Louis there was a little political controversy surrounding the fight, Italy was on the verge of invading the tiny African nation of Abyssinia.

http://www.sportplanet.com/sbb/apfas/30R.HTM