Difference between revisions of "Joe Louis"
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[[image:Private_joe_louis_says.jpeg|200px|thumb|World War II poster featuring Joe Louis]] | [[image:Private_joe_louis_says.jpeg|200px|thumb|World War II poster featuring Joe Louis]] | ||
| − | '''Joe Louis Barrow''' (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was a professional [[boxer]] who was nicknamed the "Brown Bomber". He is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of all | + | '''Joe Louis Barrow''' (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was a professional [[boxer]] who was nicknamed the "Brown Bomber". He is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of all time, with 25 successful title defenses. In 1938, he fought his most famous fight, which was a rematch against the [[German]] [[Max Schmeling]]. The fight was hyped by the media falsely portraying Schmeling as a [[Nazi]], pitted against Louis as the defender of the free world. Louis, although the loser of the first fight, won with a first-round knockout. <ref>http://www.ibhof.com/jlouis.htm</ref> |
| − | Louis served in the [[United States]] [[Army]] during [[World War II]], from 1942-45. He did not see combat, however, and primarily put on boxing exhibitions for the troops.<ref>http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/joelouis.htm</ref> He served | + | Louis served in the [[United States]] [[Army]] during [[World War II]], from 1942-45. He did not see combat, however, and primarily put on boxing exhibitions for the troops.<ref>http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/joelouis.htm</ref> He served alongside [[Jackie Robinson]], the man who would eventually break the color barrier in [[Major League Baseball]]. Robinson has stated that Louis was extremely influential within the then-segregated army, including helping get Robinson and other blacks into officer training school.<ref>http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=52&category=sports</ref> He is buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]]. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 14:05, September 21, 2009
Joe Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was a professional boxer who was nicknamed the "Brown Bomber". He is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of all time, with 25 successful title defenses. In 1938, he fought his most famous fight, which was a rematch against the German Max Schmeling. The fight was hyped by the media falsely portraying Schmeling as a Nazi, pitted against Louis as the defender of the free world. Louis, although the loser of the first fight, won with a first-round knockout. [1]
Louis served in the United States Army during World War II, from 1942-45. He did not see combat, however, and primarily put on boxing exhibitions for the troops.[2] He served alongside Jackie Robinson, the man who would eventually break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Robinson has stated that Louis was extremely influential within the then-segregated army, including helping get Robinson and other blacks into officer training school.[3] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.