Joe Louis

Louis, Joe (Joseph Louis Barrow; 1914–81), U.S. boxer. Louis won the heavyweight title in 1937, held it longer than anyone in boxing history (1937–49), and fought 25 successful title defenses. He retired in 1949 having lost only once, to Max Schmeling (1936), a defeat he later avenged, knocking Schmeling out in a rematch (1938). In 1950 he tried to return to the ring, but quit after losing to Ezzard Charles and Rocky Marciano.