Every boxing fan knows the story of Max Schmeling and how he was used as a propaganda symbol by the Nazi regime. This has tended to overshadow the story of the Blonde Tiger, Walter Neusel which is an interesting story in its own right. Neusel beat a number of top contenders to establish himself as a force in the heavyweight division. It was widley believed that he would superseed Max Schmeling as the dominant German heavyweight as Schmeling was thought to be on the decline. When Schmeling and Neusel squared off it generated the biggest Europeaqn gate until quite recently. This has to be regarded as one of the biggest European fights of all time. In the end the veteran Schmeling overcame the young pretender. Neusel became a focus of an ideological battle/boxing match when he challenged Tommy Farr in London. This fight took on a similar significance in Britain to Louis Schmeling II in America. In the end Farr defeated Neusel. In a final twist Neusel took the last step in distancing himself from the Nazi regime and defected taking up American citizenship.
I've looked over his record a few times, and it's quite good. Wins over King Levinsky, Larry Gains and Tommy Loughran. He seems an unfairly overlooked fighter. I don't know anything other than one I've read on boxrec and just now on this thread. No one gives Schmeling any credit for beating him, but it seems an excellent win.
Neusel had one of the best records of any european heavy in the U.S. going 5-0-1 against decent coMpetition in 33-34 before returning the next year and losing on a cut to Carnera. His conqueror Farr on the other hand lost all of his 5 bouts in the U.S. yet it was Farr who got the title shot and became a legend. Despite his impressive record The Ring characterised him as crude and a wild swinger, claiming that his decisions against Levinsky and Loughran were gifts. Otherwise his biggest achievement was travelling to England to stop British Empire champion Jack Peterson thrice, and Peterson had uptil these losses looked like Britain's best heavy prospect in years. I don't think Neusel was ever really considered a title threat, more of a trial horse or a gatekeeper of the division as he lost his chance when beaten by Unser Maxe in whose shadow he dwellled.
Neusel went into the bout with Schmeling as the betting favourite. In Germany at least he was seen by many as a better prospect for a title challenge than Schmeling hence the interest in their fight.
A prime Max kod Neusel in 9 rds,Neusel got revenge of sorts ,taking a decision off a nearly 43 year old Max.Neusel feasted on British and European fighters but was never really more than a fringe contender at world level,imo.He was a bit inconsistant .
I think thats fair comment but his defeat by Max brought those expectations down to more realistic levels I think.Neusel sure had Peterson's number, he would probably be a legitimate contender today, though a rather small one.
my trainer once told me that after neusel beat jack petersen for the third time,tommy farr jumped into the ring and said "i'm gonna do you for that,isn't it" or words to that effect,and battered neusel in 3 rounds when they met.tommy was certainly angry about something !!!
Very true ,and those "titles" mean as much as an election into the HOF,or being reffered to as great nowadays,.The game is lost. Sorry,I have drink taken.
