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Joe Louis, an American Icon

Joe Louis, professional name of Joseph Louis Barrow, American boxer known as “The Brown Bomber.” Born in Lafayette, Alabama. Champion from 1937-1949, regarded as one of the elite heavyweight champions of the 20th Century. Louis holds the record for 25 title defenses. He won the world heavyweight title in 1937 from James J Braddock by an eighth round knockout. He retired briefly in 1949 and failed to regain the title from new champion Ezzard Charles in 1950. Prior to the Charles loss, the only other fighter to defeat Louis was Max Schmeling in 1936. In addition to his boxing prowess, Joe Louis broke racial barriers and became a cultural icon. At a time when segregation and racial inequality were rampant in America, Louis’s success in the ring and his dignity outside of it earned him respect from people of all backgrounds. He became a hero to African Americans and was seen as a unifying figure during a divisive era.After retiring from boxing, Louis faced financial difficulties, including tax problems with the IRS, and his health declined. He passed away on April 12, 1981. Despite these challenges, his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats remains intact, and he is celebrated as a pioneer who transcended the sport to become a symbol of hope and resilience. Joe Louis paved the way for future African American athletes, showing that it was possible for a Black man to achieve success and be celebrated in mainstream American society. Louis’s legacy is also tied to his role in the integration of sports. While Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball in 1947, Louis’s success in boxing set a precedent that contributed to the eventual acceptance of Black athletes in other sports. Joe Louis passed away in 1981, but his legacy has lived on through numerous honors, including: Statues: There is a large statue of Joe Louis in Detroit, Michigan, his hometown, symbolizing his enduring connection to the city. Civic Honors: After his death, he was given a burial in Arlington National Cemetery, a rare honor for a civilian, acknowledging his contribution to the nation both in and out of the ring. Louis’s legacy is one of athletic greatness, cultural impact, and a role in advancing civil rights. He was a unifying figure during a divisive time in American history, and his influence is still felt today in sports, race relations, and American patriotism. Joe Louis, also known as the “Brown Bomber,” was an American professional boxer and one of the most famous heavyweight champions in the history of the sport. He held the world heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949, making him the longest-reigning heavyweight champion in boxing history. His reign lasted 12 years, and he defended his title 25 times, setting a record that still stands today. Louis was known for his powerful punching ability, disciplined technique, and calm demeanor in the ring. He fought in an era when boxing was one of the most popular sports in the U.S., and his success made him a national hero. Beyond his boxing accomplishments, Joe Louis was a symbol of hope and pride for African Americans during a time of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. His 1938 rematch victory over German boxer Max Schmeling, after losing to Schmeling in 1936, was seen as a symbolic victory over the Nazi regime and a significant moment in both sports and political history. BULLETIN BOARD

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Remembering the Polo Grounds

HISTORIC VENUES / James

THE POLO GROUNDS: A Long-Lost Venue in Boxing History By Jay Monte Though a rare occasion today, boxing at the ballpark was once a longstanding tradition. While Yankee Stadium’s relationship with boxing is well known, New York City’s Polo Grounds also had an indelible impact on the sweet science. Having reached the 100th anniversary of the legendary heavyweight championship contest between Jack Dempsey and Luis Firpo, held at the Polo Grounds on Sept 24, 1923, lets look back at some of the more notable battles staged at this historic venue. HISTORY OF THE STADIUM Over a period of 88 years in existence, the Polo Grounds underwent a change of location and several expansions. Although mainly identified with baseball, the park, which opened in 1876, was the scene of many other athletic promotions. Football, as well as boxing, played a prominent role in the arena’s history, and throughout the years, the Grounds featured sports like track and field, soccer, tennis, and even auto racing. The name of the field can be traced back to James Gordon Bennett Jr., the son of a noted newspaper publisher, who helped introduce polo to the American people. Bennett and his society pals did their playing on Fifth Avenue and 110th Street. A few years later, Bennett and his crew moved their activities to Westchester County, but the pastures continued to be called the “Polo Grounds.” When the park’s growing popularity exceeded its limited capacity, it was abandoned in 1888. In the early days of baseball, the New York Giants used the Grounds as their home base, and in 1889, the team moved further uptown to Eighth Avenue and 155th Street. The fans so closely associated the Giants with their old stadium that the new field, initially dubbed Brotherhood Park, would soon also be known as the Polo Grounds. From its modest beginning, with wooden stands able to hold a crowd of just 8,000, the Polo Grounds expanded until, by 1910, it had become a double-decker, capable of accommodating 20,000 fans. After a fire razed the stadium, the Grounds was rebuilt in 1911 with a seating capacity of 38,000. With further additions and improvements to the stands over the next decade, the facility increased to 55,000. Between 1922-1960, the Polo Grounds played host to some of the most memorable battles in boxing history. Over that 38-year period, 33 fight cards were staged there, including 25 title clashes, in which the champion retained his laurels just 13 times. On Oct. 12, 1922, the Polo Grounds opened its doors to boxing with a small show, in which four of the five fights ended in a draw. 1923 The summer of 1923 was a spectacular season for pugilism at the Grounds that established the venue as a major attraction for outdoor boxing events. Five championship bouts were on the calendar, and belts changed hands in four of them. French war hero Eugene Criqui became the first fighter to win and lose a championship at the Polo Grounds, stopping long-reigning Johnny Kilbane in six for the featherweight belt and losing it on a decision to Johnny Dundee. From June 2 to July 26, Criqui’s reign lasted just 54 days. In June, flyweight laurels shifted from Jimmy Wilde to Pancho Villa, the first Filipino to win a world title, via knockout in the seventh round; and the middleweight crown from Johnny Wilson to Harry Greb on points, in August. (Greb returned to the Grounds to defend the crown against fellow future Hall of Famer and welterweight kingpin Mickey Walker two years later. Hours after their hellacious battle won on points by Greb, the pair allegedly found each other at a night club and had an impromptu rematch, easily won by the bigger Greb.) It was the headliner of the Polo’s sixth show that is probably the venue’s most well-known battle, when heavyweight Jack Dempsey defended his crown against the burly Argentinean Luis Firpo on Sept. 14. Over 85,000 fans witnessed a savage affair that featured 11 knockdowns over a four-minute period. Almost immediately, Dempsey felt Firpo’s power as he was dropped to a knee by a right. Dempsey roared back, flooring Firpo seven times, but the challenger remained undeterred. Trapping his antagonist against the ropes, Firpo unleashed another right onto Dempsey’s chin, sending him clear out of the ring and into press row. The fans were stunned, as their hero was on the brink of defeat, but after he climbed back through the ropes—with the assistance of a few reporters—the comeback was on. Two more knockdowns of Firpo ended matters after 57 seconds of round two. (Future Dempsey conqueror, Gene Tunney earned his shot at the crown in 1925, by beating Tommy Gibbons via KO12 at the Grounds.) TALENT POOL There was hardly a titleholder or elite contender who did not appear at the Grounds during its heyday. Among the many were Gene Tunney, Georges Carpentier, Tom Gibbons, William (Young) Stribling, Tommy Loughran, Paul Berlenbach, Sammy Mandell, Jimmy McLarnin, Harry Wills, Kid Chocolate, Jack (Kid) Berg, Mickey Walker, Dave Shade, Jimmy Slattery, Al Singer, Barney Ross, Billy Patrolle, Lou Ambers, Tony Canzoneri, Sixto Escobar, Henry Armstrong, Harry Jeffra, Lou Jenkins, Joe Louis, Billy Conn, Lou Nova, Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano and Rocky Graziano, Archie Moore, Bobo Olson, and Floyd Patterson. BARNEY ROSS-JIMMY MCLARNIN III Welterweights Barney Ross and Jimmy McLarnin finished their famous trilogy at the Grounds on May 28, 1935. The referee was Jack Dempsey. In front of 35,000 fans, Ross earned the unanimous verdict. Their first two encounters (the first won by Ross; the rematch by McLarnin), both at Madison Square Garden Bowl, ended in split decisions. (Future bantamweight king Sixto Escobar knocked out future featherweight champion Joey Archibald in six, on the undercard.) Both Ross and McLarnin each had one previous appearance at the Grounds before their rubber match. In a bid for the lightweight title in 1928, McLarnin lost a decision to Sammy Mandell. In 1933, Ross defended his lightweight belt with a split decision victory,

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Jack Dempsey

FIGHTERS OF THE 20th CENTURY / James

Discover the Unforgettable Legacy of Jack Dempsey Jack Dempsey, born William Harrison Dempsey on June 24, 1895, was one of the most famous American boxers of the early 20th century. He became a cultural icon during the 1920s, an era often referred to as the “Golden Age of Sports.” Dempsey’s aggressive, ferocious style, combined with his charisma, helped make him a global star. Here’s an overview of his career: Early Life and Career Beginnings Dempsey was born into poverty in Manassa, Colorado, and often fought to make ends meet. By the age of 16, he had started his boxing career, adopting the name Jack Dempsey, inspired by a 19th-century boxer known as “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey. Early in his career, he fought in small venues and saloons across the western U.S., earning a reputation as a tough, hard-hitting fighter. Dempsey was known for knocking out opponents quickly with his powerful punches. Rise to Fame Dempsey’s breakthrough came in 1919, when he fought Jess Willard for the World Heavyweight Championship in Toledo, Ohio. Willard, a much larger man, was the reigning heavyweight champion, but Dempsey demolished him in a brutal fight. Dempsey knocked Willard down seven times in the first round alone. After three rounds of punishment, Willard failed to answer the bell for the fourth round, making Dempsey the new World Heavyweight Champion. Heavyweight Championship Reign (1919–1926) Dempsey held the heavyweight title for seven years, dominating his division with an aggressive, brawling style. He was known for his exceptional punching power, particularly his devastating left hook. Some of his most notable fights during this period include: 1921: Dempsey vs. Georges Carpentier – This was boxing’s first “million-dollar gate” fight. Dempsey knocked out Carpentier in the fourth round in front of a huge audience, cementing his status as a superstar. 1923: Dempsey vs. Luis Firpo – Known as “The Wild Bull of the Pampas,” Firpo was a formidable opponent. In one of the most famous moments in boxing history, Firpo knocked Dempsey out of the ring in the first round. However, Dempsey climbed back in and knocked out Firpo in the second round. The Long Count Fight (1927) Dempsey’s most famous bout came in 1927 against Gene Tunney, a former U.S. Marine and technically skilled boxer. Dempsey had lost the title to Tunney in 1926 in a major upset, and their rematch in Chicago, often called the “Long Count Fight,” became legendary. In the seventh round, Dempsey knocked Tunney down, but instead of going to a neutral corner, he lingered near Tunney, delaying the referee’s count. This gave Tunney extra time to recover, and he eventually went on to win the fight by decision. Dempsey never regained the title after this loss. Later Life After retiring from boxing, Dempsey remained a popular public figure. He served in World War II and opened a successful restaurant in New York City. Known for his sportsmanship and generosity, Dempsey stayed active in the boxing community and was often seen at major fights. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Dempsey died on May 31, 1983, but his legacy endures. His fighting style, toughness, and ability to draw massive crowds made him one of the most famous athletes of his era. His influence extended beyond the ring, as he helped transform boxing into a major international sport and set the stage for future heavyweight champions.

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