Joe Louis fights light heavyweight champion John Henry Lewis

In 1939, undisputed heavyweight champion Joe Louis was at the height of his powers.

Five months before, on the hallowed grounds of Madison Square Garden, Louis had destroyed rival Max Schmeling in two minutes and change.

The win was not only for Louis but for the United States.

Schmeling, born in Germany, had become an Adolph Hitler favorite after upsetting Louis two years before. That fight shook the entire foundation of boxing. Schmeling was considered past his prime. He had lost three of his last seven fights.

Louis was undefeated in 24 bouts, scoring 20 knockouts. He’d blown away former heavyweight champions Primo Carnera and Max Baer in less than seven rounds. The word unbeatable was being bandied about.

Schmeling knocked Louis down in round four and out in 12. His right hand had done most of the dirty work. Louis had entered the ring as a 10-1 favorite. He exited it bruised and battered.

Schmeling spotted a flaw in Louis’ technique and exploited it.

Louis was back in the ring two months after his loss. He dispatched former champ Jack Sharkey in three heats. He fought 10 more times before meeting Schmeling in a rematch, winning all of them, and scoring eight knockouts.

The Brown Bomber was back – to a degree. He’d have to beat Schmeling to convince the naysayers.

Louis would be defending his heavyweight championship along with America’s honor. Louis floored Schmeling three times, pouncing and destroying his prey like an assassin in a hurry.

New champion Louis took some time off after his overwhelming victory, returning five months later against another champion and a good friend.

John Henry Lewis began his boxing career in the super featherweight division in 1929. He was 14. Six years into his career, and fighting for the 50th time, Lewis was the first African American to win the light heavyweight title.

In 1937, he fought an incredible 20 times. His career spanned 10 years and 117 professional fights. His record was a sign of the times. Lewis was a crafty boxer who could punch. He defeated future heavyweight champion Jimmy Braddock in 1932.

Lewis held victories over Bob Olin, Red Burman, Al Ettore, Bob Godwin, and Maxie Rosenbloom. He moved up and threw hands with heavyweights. Lewis was sick and tired of being a champion and fighting for peanuts. His pay for his last title fight was $2,600. Louis had made over $300,000 against Schmeling. Something had to give.

According to reports, Lewis issued a challenge that he’d fight anybody.

Heavyweight champion Louis accepted the challenge. John Henry Lewis was ecstatic.

He was set to earn the biggest payday of his career($15,056). Lewis would also collect a percentage of the gate. He’d earn every cent. Lewis was brave. He was almost blind in his left eye, but no one knew it. The destructive Louis would quickly put his friend out of his misery.

FULL FIGHT: Joe Louis vs. John Henry Lewis Knockout (25.1.1939) in Colorized

Lewis came out quickly. He was looking good until Louis clobbered him with a right hand. Down went Lewis. He was out on his feet. Soon, he was down again. Louis stalked and rocked another right. Lewis stumbled and fell, but managed to pull himself up.

Louis attacked, battering Lewis with combinations until the referee waved off the contest.

Joe Louis had done his friend a solid – even though Lewis got beaten up for his trouble.

John Henry Lewis was forcibly retired a few months after the fight. Three Pittsburgh physicians stated that Lewis was partially blind in his left eye.

John Henry was barely 25. His career was over.

Joe Louis would hold the heavyweight crown for nine more years.