Joe Louis

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Joe Louis summary

Joe Louis

Q: What was Joe Louis known for?

Joe Louis was an American boxer who was world heavyweight champion from 1937 until 1949, the longest reign in the history of any weight division. Louis successfully defended his title 25 times, more than any other champion in any division, scoring 21 knockouts. He was known as an extremely accurate and economical knockout puncher.

Q: When was Joe Louis's first professional fight?

Joe Louis's first professional fight took place on July 4, 1934, and within 12 months, he had knocked out Primo Carnera, a former world heavyweight champion.

Q: Who did Joe Louis defeat to become the world heavyweight champion?

Joe Louis became the world heavyweight champion on June 22, 1937, when he knocked out James J. Braddock in eight rounds in Chicago, Illinois.

Q: Is Joe Louis in the Boxing Hall of Fame?

Joe Louis was inducted into the Ring Magazine Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

American boxer

Also known as: Joseph Louis Barrow, the Brown Bomber

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 8, 2024 • Article History

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Category: Arts & Culture

Byname of:: Joseph Louis Barrow

Also called:: the Brown Bomber

Born:: May 13, 1914, Lafayette, Alabama, U.S.

Died:: April 12, 1981, Las Vegas, Nevada (aged 66)

Awards And Honors:: Golden Gloves

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What was Joe Louis known for?

When was Joe Louis's first professional fight?

Who did Joe Louis defeat to become the world heavyweight champion?

Is Joe Louis in the Boxing Hall of Fame?

Joe Louis (born May 13, 1914, Lafayette, Alabama, U.S.—died April 12, 1981, Las Vegas, Nevada) was an American boxer who was world heavyweight champion from June 22, 1937, when he knocked out James J. Braddock in eight rounds in Chicago, until March 1, 1949, when he briefly retired. During his reign, the longest in the history of any weight division, he successfully defended his title 25 times, more than any other champion in any division, scoring 21 knockouts (his service in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 no doubt prevented him from defending his title many more times). He ...(100 of 698 words)

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