LOUIS WINS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 146, 23 June 1938, Page 11

LOUIS WINS

QUICK KNOCK-OUT BOUT WITH SCHMELING NEW YORK EVENT United Tress Association—liy Electric Tole-icr-apli—Copyright. (Received June 23, 2 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 22. Joe Louis, holder of the world's heavyweight championship, defeated Max Schmeling on a knockout in the first round. Louis weighed in at 19831b and Schmeling at 1931b. A record crowd of 84.000 saw the champion score an amazing revenge when, racing to the centre of the ring at the opening of the fight, Louis administered a steady stream of rights and lefts to the face, literally smothering the. contender, who finally went down under the two-handed attack. He rose before a count began, but therefater succumbed, falling three times until the towel was thrown in by his trainer, who caused the referee to stop the fight 2 minutes 4 seconds after it had begun.

It was a battered and semi-conscious Schmeling who rose after the third fall. He was in terrible shape, but instinct kept him on his feet, while Louis, like a panther, tore, him to pieces on the ropes. His trainer apparently saw that the contender for the title was in extreme danger of permanent injury after the second fall, and threw in the towel, but Schmeling- took another fall and rose to receive a measure of further demoniac punishment before the referee could wave the champion aside, giving him victory on a technical knock-out.

Louis, who is twenty-four years of age, had a meteoric rise to world heavyweight championship class, and won the title in his thirty-sixth professional bout, from James J. Braddock, on June 22, 1937. This bout was the subject of considerable controversy owing to that Max Schmeling was considered by many to be the logical contender for the title. Louis and Schmeling met on June 19, 1936, to decide who would meet Braddock for the title, and Louis suffered the first defeat of his professional career by being knocked-out in the eighth round. Schmeling'S claims to meet Braddock were over-ridden despite the fact that he made the trip from Germany to America to meet the title-holder. This incident is now referred to as the "Ghost Fight." Schmeling weighedin, was pronounced physically sound, and was all prepared for the bout. It was then announced that Braddock had not put in an appearance. Braddack was subsequently fined 1000 dollars for failing to appear, but his title was not taken away. When Gene Tunney retired from the ring after he had knocked-out Tom Heeney, of New Zealand, in the eleventh round, on July 26, 1928, Jack Sharkey and Schmeling were the leading contenders for the title. They met on June 12, 1931, and Schmeling won on a foul in the fourth round. He defended his title against "Young" Stribling on July 3,1931, beating the latter on a knock-out in the

fifteenth round. On June 21, 1932, Sharkey beat Schmeling in six rounds, at New York, to take the title. Following Sharkey, Camera, Max Baer, Braddock, and Louis held the title. Since winning from Braddock, Louis has defended his title several times. He beat Tommy Farr, of Great Britain, on points, and the negro's recent wins have been over Nathan Mann by a

Joe Louis. knock-out in the third round, and Harry Thomas, by a knock-out in the fourth round. Schmeling has also beaten Thomas recently, as well as Steve Dudas, an American. LOUIS THE FAVOURITE A MULTIPLE DRAMA POLICE PRECAUTIONS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received Jurfe 23, 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 22. The weather is unpromising for the world title boxing contest between Joe Louis (holder) and Max Schmeling (Germany). The day began with the sky heavily overcast and log shrouding the city. The weather bureau has forecast light showers for tonight, but the promoters will not consider a post ponement except because of very heavy rain. The police, fearing trouble due to the racial and religious elements involved have assigned 3000 extras, 1000 of whom will patrol the Harlem streets, in addition to the regulars. A force

of 1500 will be assigned to the Yankee Stadium and 500 will patrol the streets between the stadium and Harlem, a distance of a few blocks. At least 80,000 persons are expected to pay atfotal of 1,000,000 dollars for admission to the Yankee Stadium. The German's supreme challenge has captured the imagination of the public and thousands are pouring in from all parts of the United States. Speculators are selling 30-dollar ringside seats for as high as 225 dollars. Betting is heavy. The bout provides a multiple drama of age versus youth (Louis is 24 and Schmeling 33), black versus white, and former champion versus champion. For Schmeling it is a supreme effort to regain his title, which would be an unprecedented achievement. For Louis it is a battle to avenge their last meeting when he was unceremoniously knocked out. Louis is the general favourite.

Louis predicts that he will score a knock-»ut within two .rounds "if Schmeling will stand up and fight." Schmeling declares that he is in the best condition of his career. "Naturally I hope to win with a knock-out," he said "but I won't attempt to name the round." Louis weighs 14st 41b, and Schmeling 13st 111b.