By John F. McKenna (McJack): It is fairly typical for boxing fans of any generation to favor the fighters of their own generation. The great Jack Johnson, AKA “Lil Artha’”, AKA “The Galveston Giant” was not only the first African American heavyweight champion, but clearly the best heavyweight of his era.
Joe Louis
Joe Louis contributions to Black History – Pt 4
By John F. McKenna (McJack): “He can run but he can’t hide.” It is a quote that has been used numerous times and even President Bush incorporated the quote into one of his speeches a few years ago.
Joe Louis contributions to Black History – Pt 3
By John F. McKenna (McJack): If it was possible Schemeling, who was not a Nazi, was under even more pressure than Louis. The return fight finally took place on June 22, 1938. Adolph Hitler placed a call to “Herr Max” while he was in his dressing room.
Joe Louis contributions to Black History – Pt 2
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Louis, because of his temperament, just like baseball great Jackie Robinson over a decade later, had no trouble living by the “Commandments” set out for him.
Joe Louis contributions to Black History – Pt 1
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Joe Louis’ accomplishments in the boxing ring are well known and the fact that he is considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest heavyweights of all time is undisputed. Louis was born on May 13, 1914 in rural Chambers County, Alabama.
Manny Pacquiao and fighters who transcend boxing – Pt 2
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Dempsey’s popularity ushered in the modern era of boxing. His fights were the first fights broadcast on the new medium of radio and he achieved the first million dollar gate when his fight with Frances popular war hero Georges Carpentier drew in 1.7 million dollars on July 2, 1921.
Flashback: Joe Louis Profiled – Pt 2
By John F McKenna (McJack): In 1941 Joe Louis defended his title 7 times, including his classic match against the great Light Heavyweight Champion Billy Conn (Joe Louis vs Billy Conn – You Tube). The “Pittsburgh Kid” was as slick a boxer as their ever was and was ahead of the judges scorecards going into the 13th round. He rocked Louis in the 12th round and told his handlers he was going to knock the champ out in the next round. He foolishly started mixing it up with Louis and Joe was able to save his title with a 13 round KO.
Flashback: Joe Louis Profiled – Pt 1
By John F McKenna (McJack): Joseph Louis was born in Lafayette, Alabama, the 7th of 8 children to a dirt poor sharecropper. When Joe was 12 years old his family moved to Detroit in search of opportunity. Joe became interested in boxing at a young age. He would use the money that his mother gave him for violin lessons to buy a locker at a local gym where fighters hung out. Joe quickly became fascinated with boxing and would soon launch his boxing career as an amateur. Louis would soon become an amateur fighter where he would win fifty of fifty-four fights, 43 by knockout.