Joe Louis
Object Details
- Exhibition Label
- Born La Fayette, Alabama
- After launching his professional boxing career in 1934, Joe Louis made short work of a string of opponents who fell victim to his punishing knockout punch. On his way to winning the heavyweight title in 1937, the heavily favored Louis was staggered by his 1936 defeat at the hands of German boxer Max Schmeling. When the two fighters met in a historic rematch in 1938, the outcome was dramatically different. Buoyed by a tremendous outpouring of support from blacks and whites alike, the “Brown Bomber” KO’d the myth of Aryan supremacy by taking just 124 seconds to pummel Adolph Hitler’s champion and retain the world heavyweight crown. A hero to millions for the rest of his life, Louis successfully defended his title for twelve years to become one of the longest-reigning champions in the history of heavyweight boxing.
- Nacido en La Fayette, Alabama
- Luego de lanzar su carrera boxística en 1934, Joe Louis despachó a una larga lista de oponentes que sucumbieron al castigo de su poderoso puño. En camino a ganar el título de peso completo en 1937, y siendo el claro favorito, Louis sufrió un revés al ser derrotado en 1936 por el púgil alemán Max Schmeling. Sin embargo, cuando ambos se enfrentaron de nuevo en 1938, el resultado fue dramáticamente diferente. Animado por las enormes demostraciones de apoyo del público negro y blanco por igual, el “Bombardero Moreno” echó a tierra el mito de la supremacía aria: en tan solo 124 segundos, venció por nocaut al campeón auspiciado por Adolf Hitler y retuvo la corona mundial de peso completo. Héroe de multitudes por el resto de su vida, Louis defendió con éxito su título durante doce años para convertirse en uno de los campeones de más larga vigencia en la historia del boxeo de peso completo.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- Data Source
- National Portrait Gallery
- Date
- c. 1935
- Object number
- NPG.80.326
- Artist
- Underwood & Underwood, active 1880 - c. 1950
- Sitter
- Joe Louis Barrow, 13 May 1914 - 12 Apr 1981
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Type
- Photograph
- Medium
- Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions
- Image: 24.9 × 19.2 cm (9 13/16 × 7 9/16")
- Sheet: 26 × 20.4 cm (10 1/4 × 8 1/16")
- Mat: 45.7 × 35.6 cm (18 × 14")
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Topic
- Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
- Exterior
- Costume\Jewelry\Ring
- Costume\Robe
- Costume\Jewelry\Watch\Wrist watch
- Joe Louis Barrow: Male
- Joe Louis Barrow: Sports\Athlete\Boxer
- Joe Louis Barrow: Military and Intelligence\Army
- Joe Louis Barrow: Civilian awards\Congressional Gold Medal
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.80.326
