biography
| name: |
Louis, Joe
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| |
popular name of Joseph Louis Barrow, nickname the Brown Bomber
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pronunciation:
[loois]
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1914–81)
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| biography:
| Boxer, born in Lafayette, Alabama, USA. His reign as heavyweight champion of 11 years and eight months is the longest in boxing history (1937–49). He turned professional in 1934 and won the heavyweight title in 1937 with a knockout of James J Braddock in the eighth round. He defended his title 25 times, a record for any weight division, and posted a career record of 68 wins, three losses, with 54 knockouts. He retired in 1949, but made a comeback in 1950. He lost the world title fight to Ezzard Charles (1921–75), and had his last fight against Rocky Marciano in 1951. Nicknamed, ‘The Brown Bomber’ he was a devastating puncher with either hand. His grace and seeming invincibility inspired African-Americans and won him fans throughout the world. Poor management of his earnings, however, left him practically destitute in his later years, and he was often dependent on charitable gifts and such jobs as a ‘greeter’ at a gambling casino. His autobiography, Joe Louis: My Life, was published in 1978. |
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