Why J. Louis Stipulated 20 Rounds

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 11

Why J. Louis Stipulated 20 Rounds

Bob Pastor, when he lasted 10 rounds with Joe Louis in January 1937, was said to have exploded the “Louis the Superman” myth. . The upshot was that when they met again—this time for the title—Louis stipulated 20 rounds.

The negro wanted to be sure to get his man; Pastor received the ultimatum much the same way as a football captain who loses the toss and is asked to play with the wind in the first spell. The New Yorker is noted for his speed and fitness, and he took the’view that, having back-pedalled successfully for 10 rounds, he would need only to do it again for upwards of 15 rounds and then batter a weary opponent to submission over the rest of the journey.

Since Tommy Farr is the only man who has lasted 15 rounds in a title bout with Louis, and took a severe beating in the process, there were probably not many spectators who felt that they had been misled when the projected 20round trip came to a sudden stop a little past half-way. In the old days there was a tendency for champions like Jeffries to stipulate a marathon course (if the limit could be lifted altogether then so much the better), because they wanted to be certain their superiority would prevail.

Big-time golfers do the same thing today, and Louis had the same idea.