This content is protected I think this is the first one-round KO I have reported on, isn't it? Louis was hitting Levinsky (who I think was shot by this time) from the very beginning, and took a knee 15, yes 15, seconds into the round. Imagine how encouraged Louis must have been by this. He stalked KL after this, quite clearly, right hand cocked. The two kept their distance for a while after this, but eventually KL rushed in, Joe tied him up, and KL mauled. As Louis backed away and KL moved in, it was two punches that floored him again. Watch it on a slowed-down speed. The two trade left hooks, with Louis' being far more damaging, and as KL drunkenly advances eats a long right hand, and goes down. KL is up, but takes a single right hand and goes down for the third time. As soon as he got up, he staggered back into his a corner. I was surprised the ref let it continue, but Joe rushed in, threw two solid punches, and then backed off as KL slumped down. I was surprised to read that KL continued in pro boxing for another 3 years. Verdict: While certainly a testimony to Louis' power, I would not consider this classic Joe Louis.
The knock down at 2:08 was pretty nice. It's worth watching Louis against Retzlaff not long after this. This content is protected
I thought this was a good, but raw performance. He probably didn't even need to take a shower afterwards.
Not much to say here. Levinsky and Retzlaff made Carnera look formidable. Levinsky though was a long time top contender and Retzlaff had a good KO record. It was just that Louis is moving the heavyweight division to another level at warp speed.
