Has anyone ever seen a longer version of this fight than this? This content is protected I was reading about the aftermath of the match and read that Joe gave John Henry the title shot so that he could have one big payday before he retired. Just another reason Louis is one of the GOAT.
You've bought into a story which is often told, but which isn't true. Here's something I wrote in a prior thread not too long ago which explains the real reason Louis fought Lewis: "Joe Louis at the instigation of Mike Jacobs drew the color line against other black fighters. When asked as early as 1935 whether he would fight John Henry Lewis, Joe said, 'He's colored ain't he? Then I don't want to fight him.' Two years later, when questioned if he would defend his title against Roscoe Toles, Louis said, 'I will never fight him, I understand. Yes sir, that's what I hear.'" "In 1939, John Henry Lewis became an exception to the practice only because Joe's managers, Julian Black and John Roxborough, at the time also managed light-heavyweight contender Dave Clark. They prevailed upon Mike Jacobs to allow Louis to fight John Henry Lewis in exchange for Lewis' promise to sign a contract within 60 days to defend his light-heavyweight title against Clark. After Joe kayoed John Henry on January 25, 1939, Lewis did honor his promise by signing on February 16 to defend his title against Clark at Detroit on March 31. The fight never took place however because the Michigan commission doctors found that Lewis' left eye was virtually sightless. Lewis retired afterward and never fought again. Actually, it already was common knowledge among boxing people that John Henry was blind in one eye even before he fought Louis. Black and Roxborough had wanted to insure that Clark would be John Henry's next challenger because they figured the odds were high that he would lose to whomever he fought."
He's undefeated at the weight for like 70 fights. He also beat Rosenbloom like you say, as well as other top fighters like Fox, Gainer, Olin, Ettore, Harvey, McAvoy and others. I don't think he's the GOAT at LHW - that goes to the man in my avatar - but he's definitely up there.
Way I heard it, Louis was just doing Lewis a favour. Before I saw any footage of it, I had suspicions that Lewis took a dive. But after watching, I think it's more of Marciano-Walcott II, of Tyson-Spinks type fight, where the loser went in with no intent to win and rolled over after being obliterated. This is one of those fights where you see how kind a fella Louis good be - and brutal. Quite a historical moment, this. First time two black men fought for the heavyweight title.
He looks completely dazed and staggering about in the footage (unless it's acting), to the point where a modern ref would probably wave it off.
Joe Louis gave John Henry Lewis one last payday, and yes he was virtually blind in one eye, suffering from Monocular vision, with next to no depth perception. John Henry Lewis was facing the fast handed and powerful Joe Louis with that handicap?. It just wasn't right, but he got that pay day he was looking for. Lewis was one of only two African Americans that Joe Louis gave title shots to. Or was it three with Charles?
Off topic but I think John Henry Lewis was an underrated light heavyweight champion. Guy built an amazing record at such a young age
Nothing much to add except where do these quotes come from? Quotes even from famous historical figures are often twisted and inaccurate. I think Louis was consistently fighting black fighters in exhibitions before black audiences.
Much like Dempsey and Jeffries. But when it came to defending his belt, all three drew the color line. But only Dempsey and Jeffries get burned for that practice.