Joe Louis

Joe Louis
Louis in 1941
Personal information
Nickname"The Brown Bomber"
BornJoseph Louis Barrow
(1914-05-13)May 13, 1914
DiedApril 12, 1981(1981-04-12) (aged 66)
Height6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m)
WeightHeavyweight
Boxing career
Reach76 in (193 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights69
Wins66
Win by KO52
Losses3
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Golden Gloves
Gold medal – first place1934 ChicagoLight-heavyweight
Chicago Golden Gloves
Gold medal – first place1934 ChicagoLight-heavyweight
US National Championships
Gold medal – first place1934 St.LouisLight-heavyweight

Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to 1951. Nicknamed "the Brown Bomber", Louis is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. He reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 until his temporary retirement in 1949. He was victorious in 25 consecutive title defenses, a record for all weight classes. Louis has the longest single reign as champion of any boxer in history.

Louis's cultural impact was felt well outside the ring. He is widely regarded as the first Black American to achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the United States, and was also a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to and during World War II because of his historic rematch with German boxer Max Schmeling in 1938.