Louis vs Schmeling II - Is it the most historic fight ever?

[SlySlickSmooth]

Take a look at ESPN's classic film short 10 minute documentary on the fight. Even contains close-up sparring between Schmeling and Dempsey and close-ups of Louis' sparring.



Is this the most historic fight to ever take place given World War II was about to really pick up? Is this the most historic in regards to the context surrounding the fight?

Schmeling would be the 7th former Heavyweight Champion attempting to reclaim the title, the previous 6 also failed. The fight is just brutal in regards to the refereeing compared to today's standard.

[billeau2]

Take a look at ESPN's classic film short 10 minute documentary on the fight. Even contains close-up sparring between Schmeling and Dempsey and close-ups of Louis' sparring.



Is this the most historic fight to ever take place given World War II was about to really pick up? Is this the most historic in regards to the context surrounding the fight?

Schmeling would be the 7th former Heavyweight Champion attempting to reclaim the title, the previous 6 also failed. The fight is just brutal in regards to the refereeing compared to today's standard.

Its a very significant fight, as was the second one actually. I don't generally do "mosts, leasts" but I could point to at least one other comprable fight. When JOhn L Sullivan fought Jake KIllrain for the heavyweight championship in America. The gate and interest in this fight defined boxing as something that would not be confined to the back barges, and Sullivan became a superstar. It also had to do with charisma because in fact Jem mace had actually won an international heavyweight fight against Tom Allen earlier in Kenner Louisiana, but with this fight John L became the first baddest man on the planet.

Without this fight we may not have had Dempsey in the roaring twenties and Johnson.

Johnson also had some milestones, winning fights and creating a real hatred among many rascist journalists who kept looking for the right white man to tune Johnson up. Among those journalists was none other than the famous writer Jack London who referred to Johnson as the "laughing Ethiopian" and many cartoonists would draw horrendous caractures of Johnson who was, ironickly enough, a very handsome man with a winsome smile.

The interesting thing about Louis, the Brown Bomber, is that America was behind him, his color became a moot point, which did a lot to educate many backwater lads, that a man is a man, no matter his shade.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

yeah, i think its the most historical with ali-frazier 1 as number 2

[soul_survivor]

What does one mean by historical? Do you mean the most remembered and talked about fight ever? That honour clearly belongs to Ali v Frazier 1 or 3 or v Foreman. No questions asked.

If by historical, you mean a fight which was heavily politicised then yes, this could be number one or second to JJ v Jeffries.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

What does one mean by historical? Do you mean the most remembered and talked about fight ever? That honour clearly belongs to Ali v Frazier 1 or 3 or v Foreman. No questions asked.

If by historical, you mean a fight which was heavily politicised then yes, this could be number one or second to JJ v Jeffries.

yeah johnson v jefferies is a good call.... that, louis-schmelling, ali-frazier 1..

Those are the only fights i can think of that had actual meaning/significance..

Other major fights are just entertainment and big money ala manny-floyd, tyson-spinks, leonard-hagler, dempsey-tunney

[Ray Corso]

In the worlds History of Events World War 1 is a shocking historical time with World War 2 being its equal and more because of the technology gained in that short amount of time regarding distruction.
The fact that the fight between Max & Joe was billed by both countries (Germany & USA) as a conflict between "Good & Evil" free speech or dictatorship deems this bout the most important in regards to historical events. Hitler proclaimed Max as a **** soilder fighting for Germany and Joe was fightimng for all who wanted freedom.
Imagine a black american fighting for all white people in Europe and the USA who wouldn't be waited on in a restruant in Georgia at the time. Along with a German soilder who was certainly NOT a **** fighting for Hitler!

There is no fight in the history of boxing that was more eventfull than this fight. Theres no fight that comes close, the fact that people have no clue of their history is sad to me but what the hell. Most think if it hasn't happened in their time its not important!

All of Europe and the free world were rooting for Louis, its the biggest sporting event with the most meaning to the most people ever!!!

Louis was outstanding and Max didn't have a chance to warm up!

Ray

[SlySlickSmooth]

What does one mean by historical? Do you mean the most remembered and talked about fight ever? That honour clearly belongs to Ali v Frazier 1 or 3 or v Foreman. No questions asked.

If by historical, you mean a fight which was heavily politicised then yes, this could be number one or second to JJ v Jeffries.

Sort of subjective by what I mean as historical. Just overall the context surrounding the fight.

It doesn't mean the greatest P4P fight, the most ticket sales, although those factors do play a bit of a part.

But for it representing the USA vs **** Germany at the beginning stages of WWII, it is quite a historical match..

[soul_survivor]

Sort of subjective by what I mean as historical. Just overall the context surrounding the fight.

It doesn't mean the greatest P4P fight, the most ticket sales, although those factors do play a bit of a part.

But for it representing the USA vs **** Germany at the beginning stages of WWII, it is quite a historical match..

On that note most definitely, I can't imagine any other fight, exception being Johnson v Jeffries of course, that was more politicised, not even Ali v Frazier 1 or what happened in Zaire 3 years later.

But, in my personal opinion, a historical fight also has to be one that impacts the social conscience across generations, which is any of Ali's major fights (two with Frazier and one with Foreman). Louis v Schmeling is largely forgotten about outside of boxing fans or avid sports fans. It was very specific and very important for a particular generation at a particular time.

[soul_survivor]

yeah johnson v jefferies is a good call.... that, louis-schmelling, ali-frazier 1..

Those are the only fights i can think of that had actual meaning/significance..

Other major fights are just entertainment and big money ala manny-floyd, tyson-spinks, leonard-hagler, dempsey-tunney

I really think Manny/Floyd is the odd one out in what you listed. Each one had some sort of pugilistic relevance...Leonard/Hagler was probably the closest to May/Pac because both guys were past their best but Leonard's upset win turned it into a great boxing moment.

May/Pac was probably the most cynical, cold, steely sports event I have ever seen.

[SlySlickSmooth]

On that note most definitely, I can't imagine any other fight, exception being Johnson v Jeffries of course, that was more politicised, not even Ali v Frazier 1 or what happened in Zaire 3 years later.

But, in my personal opinion, a historical fight also has to be one that impacts the social conscience across generations, which is any of Ali's major fights (two with Frazier and one with Foreman). Louis v Schmeling is largely forgotten about outside of boxing fans or avid sports fans. It was very specific and very important for a particular generation at a particular time.

Understandable and I think that's what makes Muhammad Ali the GOAT. Not only did he beat the competition, but he entertained the crowd with his charisma. And this was a heavyweight! If Ali was born right now can you imagine how large his social media presence would be?

Louis was put into that spot. To fight for America, and we know what Ali thought of that..