Is Schmeling's victory over Louis underrated?

I think that was a great win and that it is also generally viewed as such. But for the flaw Max took advantage of, I would say Louis was prime in respect of all other attributes.

Max himself, though still viable, was past his own prime, approaching age 31 as at the time of the fight.

And though Max’s strategy was clever, it was still rooted in great courage since Max still took heavy punishment along the way as a trade off - in some ways similar to how Ali had to absorb punishment in carrying out his much praised plan against Foreman in Zaire.

Also, if Max didn’t expose the flaw when he did, who knows how long Louis might’ve gone before another fighter would come along and do what Max did - as you said, Joe was still knocking them dead prior to facing Max and looking near perfect in the process - but, as it happened, after having that one flaw exposed - Louis was then alerted to make the necessary adjustments to rectify same.

So, perhaps one way to look at it is that it took a great fighter in Schmeling to make Louis an even greater fighter going forward.

 

Definitely a great win for Max. Schmeling IMO was one of the most disciplined and calculating champions we ever had

 

Excellent post that sums up my own thoughts nicely.

 

100% agree. People forget that in the rematch Schmeling was 33 and I'm sure that contributed to his quick downfall in the match. Schmeling is underrated and was dealt bad cards in his career, especially with Braddock

 

In my opinion it’s the greatest win in HW history. Maybe even the greatest win in all boxing.

 

Best win in heavyweight history in my opinion I know some feel different. But Louis didn’t lose again for 14 years!! And all talk of pre prime is overblown, he already bested Baer, Primo, and a slew of contenders. In fact he was destroying them
Carnera ko 6
Levinsky ko 1
Baer ko 4
Uzcudon ko 4
Retzlaff ko 1

that was the results going into the Max fight for Joe. That isn’t pre prime

 

Allegedly, before the fight, Joe Louis was at some kind of wedding and came to fight unprepared...

 

I don’t believe it’s underrated no. I think it’s been mentioned enough throughout history.

 

As usual, Sir.. Bang on the money.

 

Surely that's Buster Douglas ko Tyson!!!

 

I consider it an ATG win, yes. It was less than 2-years after Louis's debut, so it should be viewed in that context as a pre-prime Louis, but as you say, Louis had already defeated some world class HWs in dominating fashion.

 

The thing is Douglas was more of an upset but Louis was a much better fighter and the win was much more impressive in my opinion.

 

Extremely impressive win for a guy 4 years removed from being champion who'd had some less than stellar performances in those 4 years also.

 

At the very least the second greatest victory in heavyweight history.Only Joe Frazier's victory over Muhammad Ali can be considered greater.