PROFITS OF JOE LOUIS

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 14

PROFITS OF JOE LOUIS

A BIGGER AMOUNT PREDICTED Joe Louis, whose earnings for six bouts last year amounted to 323,500 dollars, may realize bigger profits in i 1937. Present plans call for the former Chicago fighter to engage in a half dozen bouts during the year, a schedule which would give the coloured boxer an estimated income of 395,000 dollars, and perhaps the heavyweight championship, too. The scheme includes atitle match with Max Schmeling or James J. Braddock, who will defend the title against Schmeling in June, states The Toronto Star. It is predicted that a Louis-Brad-dock engagement would attract receipts totalling 1,000,000 dollars if the champion beats Schmeling. If Schmeling wins, however, the wise men of boxing presage a gate in excess bf that amount, chiefly because of the revenge aspect. It will be recalled the German temporarily halted Louis s meteoric rise by a knock-out last June. The proposed Louis-Schmeling or LouisBraddock encounter is tentatively scheduled at the Madison Square Garden bowl in Long Island City m September. Pastor Next Louis is to make his next appearance against Bob Pastor at New York. Then he may clash with Harry Thomas or Roscoe Toles at Detroit Olympia. The programme also provides for matches with Edward (Unknown) Winston, Hartford, Conn., or Al McCoy, Boston, at Chicago Stadium, on February 5 or 12, and Maxie Rosenbloom, former light heavyweight monarch, at Los Angeles, on February 26. Another contemplated encounter involves the Brown Bomber and John Henry Lewis, at the Garden bowl in July or August. The tentative programme, including probable gate receipts and purses Louis would receive, follow:—

Schmeling or Braddock Garden B 1,000,000 200,000 James C. Mullen, the Stadium matchmaker, had planned on obtaining Thomas to oppose Louis here in February, but it is understood the Illinois boxing commission will not approve the contest on the assumption the Eagle Bend boxer is not a fit opponent for Louis. For that reason Winston, who defeated Thomas and knocked out Jdaurice Strickland, champion of New

Zealand, in two local starts, probably will get the assignment. John Henry Lewis was suggested as a suitable foe by the state board, but Mullen pointed out that the light heavyweight title-holder is under exclusive contract with James J. Johnston of the Garden and if such a contest can be arranged New York will get it. A Louis-Lewis fight would be

the biggest thing in boxing, with the exception of a heavyweight bout involving Louis and Schmeling or Braddock, it was pointed out by the chairman of the Illinois commission (Mr J. Triner). Louis’s earnings in 1936 include:

Louis’ Opponent Site Receipts dols. Share dols. Pastor Garden 50,000 15,000 Toles or Thomas Winston or Olympia 50,000 15,000 McCoy Stadium 50,000 15,000 Rosenbloom, Los Angeles 100,000 30,000 Lewis Garden B 400.000 120,000

Louis’ Foe Result Share dollars. Retzlaff Knockout (1) 25,000 Schmeling Knockout by (12) 139,000 Sharkey Knockout (3) 75,000 Ettore Knockout (5) 57,000 Brescia Knockout (3) 7,500 Simms Knockout (1) 20,000