Braddock entered the bout as the reigning heavyweight champion after upsetting Max Baer for the title in 1935. The fight against Louis marked the first defense of the championship during his reign.
Louis had quickly become one of boxing’s biggest attractions. Despite suffering his first professional defeat to Max Schmeling in 1936, the 23-year-old challenger remained the leading threat to the heavyweight title.
His remarkable comeback from poverty during the Great Depression turned him into a national hero. However, his reign was largely inactive, and by 1937, a young Joe Louis had emerged as the division’s biggest attraction.
At just 23 years old, Louis entered the fight with a 31-1 record.
Louis entered the bout with a 31-1 record, his only defeat coming against Max Schmeling the previous year.
Braddock scored a knockdown in the opening round with an uppercut, sending Louis to the canvas.
Louis recovered quickly and began controlling the fight with his jab. As the rounds progressed, the challenger landed the cleaner and more frequent punches.
By the seventh round, Braddock was badly marked and trailing in the contest.
Round after round, the challenger broke down the champion while avoiding the mistakes that had cost him against Schmeling.
By the seventh round, Braddock’s face showed the effects of the punishment. Bloodied and swollen, he nevertheless refused to quit despite concerns from his corner.
The end arrived in the eighth round.
The fight ended in the eighth round when Louis dropped Braddock with a left-right combination. Braddock was counted out, and Louis became the new heavyweight champion.
The victory marked the beginning of one of the most successful championship reigns in boxing history. Louis held the heavyweight title until 1949 and made a record 25 successful title defenses.
The following year, Louis faced Schmeling in a rematch at Yankee Stadium. Louis stopped Schmeling in the first round, avenging the only defeat of his professional career at that time.
Braddock fought only once more after losing the title. However, a financial arrangement included in the contract for the Louis fight entitled him to a percentage of Louis’ earnings for several years afterward.
Nearly 90 years later, the June 22, 1937, bout remains a significant moment in heavyweight boxing history, marking the start of Louis’ record-setting championship reign.
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