The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-08-19
Where Does
Joe Rate With
Ring Greats
OF All Fighters
Some Contend
He Is Greatest

Within the short space OF five
years Joe Louis has moved from
an obscure and gangnng young
amateur ighter TO the HEAVYWEIGHT
boxing champion OF the world.
Back In the spring OF 1888 Louis
was Just emerging from his hrst
test in the Golden Gloves tourna-
ment. after having been selected
as the most promising novice Ia the
tournament. However, his exa.'cd
position was shaken somewhat
when he dropped decisions 10 stan
lev Evans. Max Marek. and Clin-
ton bridges in later months.
Then he waded through the 1885
"a Golden Gloves tournament.
bowling over his adversaries with
such reckless abandon that be was
the most talked OF amateur ighier
In the country when he turned pro-
fessional July T. 1854, scoring
Knockout over Jack kracken. He
received $50 for this performance.
Following his favorable venture
into the remains or the pros, Louis
continued his drive OF knockouis,
stopping such trial horses as Char
ley Massere, Jack ODowd Willie
Davis. Lee Ramage. Charley Bar
~. Charley Rstzlaf. Primo Car
nsra. Max Baer. and Pauline u
cudun.
Impressed with this remarkable
achievements the populace hailed
Joe as the heariless murderer OF
the ring. His hlis;ering iwo-hsted
attack had raised boxing OUT o.
the morass OF depression. and
writer's and fans were lauding his
seeming invincihility.
Then cana the fight with Max
schmeling The durable and well
conditioned German smashed that
seeming invincibilirv by knocking
Louis out in i rounds after plas-
tering he Brown Rombers Jaw
with more than 50 risht-hand
punches.
With the Full RECITATION that he
Rad made a serious mistake II his
battle with Schmel.ng. Louis STAR
ed another campaign with ne
heavyweight championship as his
objective. In this march Up 20 the
throne room. occupied az that time
nv James J Braddock. Louis now
Cd down Jack Sharkcv. Al Etore.
Jorge Brescia and Matte Brown 10
earn . title bou, WIKI The cham
plon.
Braddock and Louis met June -.
1887 in Chicago. and the Brown
Bomber lifted the crown from he
aging Jersey Jim in the eighth
round.
Since lifting the crown from
Braddock. LOUIS has successfully
defended his championship seven
lines. scoring knock outs in sx OF
these encounters Matte Mann,
Harry Thomas Max SchmelinS
John Henry Lewis Jack Roper
erd Tony Galento succumbed TO
Louis efhsi punches before the
prescribed scheduled distance
Farr although cur 70 ribbon' was
IN an upright position when he g.
nal bell rang
n defending his 'iie seven times
Louis has established new record
IN pugiistlc history. This Surpass-
% he best efforts OF James J JEFF
ferries and Jack Dempsey. And this
brings I'D the question o. how does
Louis rank with the greats OF the
prize ring.
There are many who contend
thar Louis IA the greatest heavy
weight Of all times These ardent
disciples ~ The champion charge
me- tho achievements ~ Louis ln
The pas four wears Warrant his
claim This claim. they charge Is
emphasized nv mo Champion ac-'
complishments since he acqlrad
The crown.
There Is no question about Louis
being one OF the best. II not the
hest, equipped fighters ever 20 step
into the ring The champion packs
p knockout punch In either hand
is capable boxer. and possesses
stout heart This latter quality
vas demonstrated in his hrst bat
ie with Max SchnelinT
of course those who dispute this
claim charge that Louis was able
70 attain this record because Of
The deplorable condition OF the
present crop OF heavyweights But.
he that as 81 may. any fighter who
ran wade through a wel,er OF OPP
position as Louis has done In the
FIVE years. must be reckoned with
when any claims are made about
The greatest heavyweight champ
ions.