Joe Louis — the heavyweight who punched through racial barriers
The ‘Brown Bomber’ defended his title for 25 successive bouts in a record reign that started in 1937 and ended in 1949
12 May 2020 - 15:13
London — Boxing fans and historians will always argue over the greatest heavyweight of them all, but even Muhammad Ali was willing to admit he might have met his match in Joseph Louis Barrow, known professionally as Joe Louis.
“I don’t know if I could have beat him, he really don’t know if he could have beat me,” Ali told wrestling writer Bill Apter in 1976. “But it’s a great possibility because Joe Louis was my idol and he was for me the greatest fighter of all time.”..
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.