German heavyweight champion who achieved two famous victories over Joe Louis, became a symbol of Nazi propaganda and yet emerged as a surprisingly dignified and generous figure after his career ended.
Max Schmeling was a German heavyweight champion whose career became entangled with the politics of Nazi Germany and race relations in America. Most famous for his two fights with Joe Louis — shocking the world by knocking out Louis in 1936 before losing a rematch in 1938 — Schmeling was a technically gifted boxer who used a devastating right hand counter to punish opponents. He later became a respected figure for his humanitarian actions during World War II.
Two fights with Joe Louis, first European heavyweight champion
How They Played
Technical counterpuncher, right hand specialist
Lasting Impact
Bridged boxing eras, survived Nazi regime complexities