MAX SCHMELING VS. JOE LOUIS II
Date / Location: June 22, 1938 / New York City
Result of first fight: Schmeling KO 12
Result of rematch: Louis KO 1
Background: Schmeling stunned the boxing world – and Louis – in their June 1936 first fight, taking advantage of the rising young star’s low left hand to knock him down in Round 4 and stop in Round 12. The Brown Bomber won the heavyweight championship by knocking out Jim Braddock the following year but said he wouldn’t feel like the true champion until he exacted revenge on his German rival. The backdrop to the rematch, at Yankee Stadium, added to the drama. Louis became a symbol of good and Schmeling a representative of the evil Third Reich. Good overcame evil very quickly in the ring. Louis recorded one of the most vicious knockouts in history, putting an overwhelmed Schmeling away in only 2 minutes, 4 seconds. He got his revenge.
Special feature: 10 unforgettable heavyweight rematches
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