America's Hero.....Betrayed

Preceding the utterly boring Klitschko/Ibragamov was a fantastic program about Joe Louis. Joe Louis was the second major black heavyweight, following Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson was a man who had gold teeth, taunted his opponents, and had an affinity for white women (seen as a major taboo at the time). These qualities made him hated by members of white society and every time he would beat a white heavyweight there would normally be a riot following the fight. From the beginning of his career Joe Louis was taught to be the opposite of Johnson in order to gain acceptance into white America.

Louis was gain acceptance and eventually the love of everyone in America following his two fights against the german boxer, Max Schmeling. Schmeling became the posterchild for Hitler and Nazi Germany and when fought Joe Louis for the first time, the whole world was watching.

Louis lost his first bout with Schmeling, but would avenge this loss later with a quick knockout of the german heavyweight.

Joe Louis was one of the most generous athletes in the history of sports. Whenever anyone asked him for an autograph or for money, he would give it to them no questions asked. Even though he made a ridiculous amount of money during his career (I'm talking in the millions and this was in the 40's and 50's), he ended up with hardly anything because he was supporting so many people. During WWII he would use his own money in order to set up boxing matches to entertain the trooops. As he grew older the IRS began pursuing him for failure to pay taxes causing Louis to continue fighting even when he was old and should have retired in order to pay his debt. He grew so desperate to get money that he wrestled and sold soft drinks. While he was deep in debt his old rival, Max Schemiling even loaned him money to try and help him out (the two became good friends later in life). Louis died in 1981 of a heart attack and is currently buried in Arlington National Cemetary. Louis truely is an American hero, even if he wasn't treated as one during his latter years.

Fun Fact: Joe Louis was friends with drug dealer Frank Lucas (The guy that Denzel Washington played in American Gangster)