Joe Louis Fought Eight Black Fighters

Wasn't Willie Davies, his second pro opponent, a black man ?

 

I think some blacks were held back in those days or just didn’t have the promotional backing. Len Franklin and Elmer Ray would have been good title opponents

 

Ok. I see no relevance to how this effects any bearing on his ranking or how I view him.

 

Yeah, I think the main problem was that discrimination in the early 20th century deprived black fighters of the opportunities and backing necessary to become contenders in the first place.

 

Oh. Good work, Mc! I hope the Lewis fight surfaces, just so I could see John in action.

 

it’s been well documented and even fought over that African Americans were held back in pretty much every sport prior to about the mid 20th century. So yes I can see where discrimination or simply lack of support might have played a role. Abe Simon who lost to Len Franklin TWICE was given a title shot at Louis TWICE but Franklin never got a single opportunity.

 

No sadly it is not strange McVey. Because a black fighter won a title did not mean black fighters got equal opportunities to fight for that title.

Every real boxing man should be outraged that Sam Langford, Harry Wills, Elmer Ray, Bivins, Charles, Nino Valdez, Bob Baker and Eddie Machen didn't fight for the title. I know Machen fought for a *******ised version of it after he was well past his best but I don't really consider than reasonable.

Also it's not like all divisions didn't have racial discrimination at this time. So if Conn gets a title shot why can't Burley, Charles, Bivins???

 

He also fought Roscoe Toles before he held the title, though some have argued that it was an exhibition.

 

The strange part is Louis who did a lot for African Americans, including in the sport of golf only gave two black men a title shot in his 26 title defenses. One was a sympathy fight for guy who needed money and could not see well, the other should have been declared the winner in their first fight, but was robbed.

The best two African Americans Louis fought were Charles and Walcott, and IMO his ring record here should be 1-2 here. Louis was far behind Walcott in the 2nd fight until Wlaoctt tried to showboat late and got caught.

While the Bivins win is clearly a nice one, fights Elmer Ray, Lee Q Muarry, Turkey Thomson, or Lem Franklin never happened, and IMO all of them were more dangerous fights for Louis.

Elmer Ray would have added something to Louis's resume. Word is Louis people at MSG saw Ray fight and didn't want the match.

 

Yeah, I'm sad for those guys and for all the potentially talented black fighters who never even got the opportunities they did.

 

Have you seen the whole first Walcott fight? No. So why do you think Louis should be 1-2?