The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-01-17

OF 1898 10 be- crowned the most
promising nghter after he had won
the novice lighl-heayyweight cham
pionship.
lie came back the following year
To win the open heavyweight cham
pionship. the National AAu tile.
and the Chicagoland tournament
championship in Chicago. He turned
professional July 4. 1894. stopping
Jack kracken In three rounds in
Chicago
Detroit fight fans had four chanc-
Is 10 see Louis as he was rapidly
ascending the ladder in the profess
sional field. He fough, Jack O'Dowd |
and Al Delaney here in 1894. and
In the following year he defeated
Patsy Perroni and Nate Brown in
Detroit lie has fought in Detroit
twice since winning the cham
pionship.
II was in the late Spring Of 1895
thar Louis was given his first biz
chance. Mike Jacobs. then head OF
a syndicate sponsored by a group
OF Hearst Newspaper men. had
come ont To Deiroit TO see Louis
in his battle with Brown Although
Louis failed To stop Brown. he
made favorable showing and
Mike agreed 10 use the Brown
bomber in the principal bout on the
Hearst MILK Fund card. slated for
June - Primo Camera. former
heavyweight champion. was select
Ell as JOe's opponent.
Siartle> Eastern Fans
Louis startled the eastern box-
Ing scribes and fans by crumbling
the Ambling Alp in six rounds. He
followed this with a quick victory
over King l.evinsky in August. and
then became the sensation of the
OF the year by stopping Max Raer.
former heavyweight champion. he
fore 10000 bowling fans in Yankee
Stadium on the night OF Sept. q.
This latter event. plus Louis fine
craftsmanship in and out OF the
ring caused white man in At
lanla. ia. 10 name his son. born
the night Louis stopped Baer. Joe
Louis Weiss.
Victories over Pauline tzcudun
and Charlie Retzlaff followed The
win over Baer. on June 10. 1896.
Joe met Max Schmeine. another
former champion. The bout had
been scheduled for June is, hut
rain caused postponement. Joe
was stopped by Schmeling in the
twelfth round
At his camp a. Lakewood " j.
before the fight joe for the only
time in his hstic career. refused
10 obey orders given nv Trainer
Jack Blackburn and co-Manager
John Roxboroueh and Julian Black.
The Knockout was the penalty.
4 (haStened Youth
But Louis. chastened youngster
was soon back on the glory road
again. lie stopped Jack Sharkey
two months later, blasted Jorge
BrcScia so sleep and almost tore
Al EttOre's head on in his desire TO
redeem himself in tho hearts 81 the
fight fans. lie climaxed his come
back with an eight-round knock
out over James j. Braddock for the
heavyweight title in Chicago on the
night OF June % 1887.
Since that limo Joe has defended
the heavyweight crown % times
just three less than that Of all his
IL Ia
man who thought he had chance
TO win the championship. and many
who did not believe in Themselves
such ms Johnny Paycheck and John
Henry Lewis.
And during the 10 years. both
as an amateur and as pro. Joe
has stood shoulders above other
members OF his craft with his fine
workmanship. This was evidenced
In his battle with Billy Conn when
he refused to take advantage Of
his opponent. although he was be-
hind on noints and his champion
ship was In danger.
Neither has he ever complained
n his adversary had violated the
rules of clean workmanship.
Very Fine Letter
Back in 1895. shortly after Louis
had defeated Camera. a woman In
California wrote him letter.
mothcrlv letter in which the writ
or extolled Joe's virtues. pointing
out to him that all young America
had their eyes on him. and that n
he should fail. II would not mean
much 20 adults. hut that Il would
do devastating damage 10 the young
boys and girls who held him up as
their idol.
II that woman Is yet alive and
knows about .loc's two achieve
ments during the past two weeks.
II must make her heart shout with
10y. Louis has set fine example
for American youths 10 follow
But there arc others who should
have some credit FOR Joe's fine de-
pertinent In and out Of the ring. I'm
referring TO o-Mansgers Black and
Roxboroueh and blackburn. These
three mcn. from the dav Joe hrst
launched his professional career.
have been Undressing uoon his
mind the cardinal principles ~
fine sportsmsnship and clean Twins.
God endowed Joe with the humble
ness and simplicity which makes