On June 19, 1936, German boxing legend Max Schmeling shocked US star Joe Louis – much to the delight of Adolf Hitler. The politically charged rivalry turned into an inspiring friendship.
It was one of the biggest sensations in boxing history. And the beginning of a friendship that was as special as it was historically remarkable, lasting until death. On June 19, 1936 – 89 years ago today – German boxing legend Max Schmeling faced off in New York against the American Joe Louis, who was considered unbeatable.
It was a highly charged rivalry, politically charged by Adolf Hitler’s seizure of power and the rise of the Nazis in Schmeling’s homeland. In the run-up to World War II, the fight was hyped as a duel between two systems, between totalitarian dictatorship and liberal democracy. In reality, however, the constellation was much more complex.
Max Schmeling seemed to be in decline before the first fight in 1936
Schmeling viewed the Nazi regime with distance, while Louis, who was revered by the African American community, was also a symbolic figure of the conflict at a time when racial segregation was still prevalent in many parts of the country—and even jubilant reports about Louis often had racist undertones. His nickname “The Brown Bomber” is just one of many attributions that are taboo today.
In sporting terms, the fight seemed to be a foregone conclusion: Louis, then 22, was on his way to the top, while Schmeling seemed to be in decline after losing his world title to Jack Sharkey in 1930. 42,000 spectators in the New York Yankees’ baseball stadium wanted to see the then 31-year-old go down against Louis – but things turned out differently.
Schmeling recognized Louis’ weak point – and announced it
While Louis took a rather lax approach to preparing for the fight and took time off to learn golf, Schmeling was well prepared: he had identified a weakness in Louis – which he even announced publicly. Hardly anyone took him seriously. Many thought it was just talk to attract attention.
But Schmeling actually knew what he was doing: Louis always left his left hanging after a punch – Schmeling saw this as an opportunity for effective counterpunches. The stunned Louis had no answer to Schmeling’s tactics and was knocked out in the twelfth round after two right hooks to the body and chin. Louis had to admit afterwards that he had underestimated his opponent.
Schmeling distances himself from the Nazi regime
Schmeling’s triumph, which fitted in perfectly with the racist worldview of Nazi propaganda, was exploited accordingly. “It was a German victory,” said the evil propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, and the Berliner Lokalanzeiger headlined: “The Führer congratulates Schmeling.” Adolf Hitler himself sent flowers to Schmeling’s wife.
Schmeling’s good reputation continued into the post-war period because he was relatively reserved in his acceptance of the appropriation of his image. Schmeling thanked the people and the Führer, but did not let things go beyond a certain point: he did not join the NSDAP, kept his Jewish manager Joe Jacobs, and even refused an honor from Hitler. “I am a boxer, not a politician,” was one of his most famous quotes. And in his case, this distancing was not just empty words.
As it later emerged, Schmeling even provided active help to victims of the Hitler regime: in 1938, during the November pogroms, he hid two Jewish teenagers in his hotel room and helped them escape. This only became known in 1989, when the rescued brothers came forward in the US.
Joe Louis makes short work of Schmeling in 1938 rematch
Remarkably, it was not Schmeling but the loser Louis who rose to challenge world champion James J. Braddock – after dethroning him, a rematch against Schmeling was a priority for the young champion.
The world championship fight between Schmeling and Louis took place on June 22, 1938, again at Yankee Stadium, and attracted even more attention: among the 70,000 fans were Hollywood superstars Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, and Douglas Fairbanks.
Schmeling didn’t stand a chance this time around, as Louis had matured into a world-class athlete and won by knockout after just two minutes. Schmeling landed only two punches. No one could have beaten his father that day, Schmeling later told Louis’ son.
As heated as their duel was, the personal relationship that developed between Schmeling and Louis was remarkable: the two remained in contact after meeting again after World War II. Schmeling also helped Louis when he fell on hard times after his career ended and found himself in serious financial difficulty.
The friendship lasted until Louis’ death on April 12, 1981, and Schmeling, who died in 2005 at the age of 99, was among the pallbearers.
