From Pushing Hay to From Pushing Hay to HaymakersHaymakers

The Incredible Rags to Riches Story of The Incredible Rags to Riches Story of Joe LouisJoe Louis

ByByZack BonnerZack Bonner

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Early ChildhoodEarly Childhood

Joseph Louis Barrow was born on May 13, 1914 in Joseph Louis Barrow was born on May 13, 1914 in Lafayette, Alabama. He was the son of Munrow Barrow Lafayette, Alabama. He was the son of Munrow Barrow and Lillie “Reese” Barrow.and Lillie “Reese” Barrow.

Unfortunately, at the age of two Munrow was Unfortunately, at the age of two Munrow was committed to a mental institute.committed to a mental institute.

Growing up, Joe was a very shy kid and had a speech Growing up, Joe was a very shy kid and had a speech impediment until around the age of six, when his impediment until around the age of six, when his mother married Pat Brooks after hearing that Munrow mother married Pat Brooks after hearing that Munrow had died. When in reality Munrow lived until 1938 had died. When in reality Munrow lived until 1938 unaware of his sons fame.unaware of his sons fame.

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Running From The KlanRunning From The Klan

In 1926 when Joe was 12 his family had a run In 1926 when Joe was 12 his family had a run in with the infamous Ku Klux Klan and his in with the infamous Ku Klux Klan and his family decided to move to Detroit Michigan family decided to move to Detroit Michigan forming part of the post- World War I Great forming part of the post- World War I Great Migration. Migration.

When Joe arrived at Duffield School he was When Joe arrived at Duffield School he was extremely unprepared and was placed in extremely unprepared and was placed in classes with kids much younger than him until classes with kids much younger than him until the school shunted him off to the Bronson the school shunted him off to the Bronson Vocational School.Vocational School.

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Too Feeble Minded For Too Feeble Minded For School School

After being told that Joe would have to After being told that Joe would have to make a living with his hands, a prophetic make a living with his hands, a prophetic statement, Joe’s mother enrolled him in statement, Joe’s mother enrolled him in Bronson Trade School to study Bronson Trade School to study carprentry.carprentry.

After the Depression left his stepfather After the Depression left his stepfather out of work and Joe began to do odd jobs out of work and Joe began to do odd jobs around town and begun to be surrounded around town and begun to be surrounded by a rough crowd. by a rough crowd.

Making Music With His Making Music With His HandsHands

One of these odd jobs was working for an ice One of these odd jobs was working for an ice delivery company. Unlike today, ice wasn’t delivery company. Unlike today, ice wasn’t made in a refrigerator it was made at a plat and made in a refrigerator it was made at a plat and you had to deliver these fifty to sixty pound you had to deliver these fifty to sixty pound blocks of ice by hand.blocks of ice by hand.

To keep Joe out of the streets Joe’s mother To keep Joe out of the streets Joe’s mother gave him fifty cents a week for violin lessons. gave him fifty cents a week for violin lessons. Joe soon became a member at a boxing gym Joe soon became a member at a boxing gym and his strength from delivering ice and and his strength from delivering ice and pushing truck bodies started to show.pushing truck bodies started to show.

The Start of Something The Start of Something New New

After boxing neighborhood kids Joe soon felt he was After boxing neighborhood kids Joe soon felt he was ready to begin his amateur career. Unfortunately for ready to begin his amateur career. Unfortunately for Joe, he was barely literate and so he wrote Joseph Joe, he was barely literate and so he wrote Joseph too big on his boxing forms and put Louis because he too big on his boxing forms and put Louis because he didn’t have enough space.didn’t have enough space.

Joe’s first amateur career fight was against Johnny Joe’s first amateur career fight was against Johnny Miller. Joe suffered a terrible lost being knocked Miller. Joe suffered a terrible lost being knocked down seven times in the first two rounds.down seven times in the first two rounds.

Mortified, Joe gave up boxing and followed his step Mortified, Joe gave up boxing and followed his step fathers advice and concentrated solely on his job.fathers advice and concentrated solely on his job.

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Mothers Know What's Mothers Know What's BestBest

After his defeat, Joe forgot about boxing and After his defeat, Joe forgot about boxing and tried to move past it. But, his mom, seeing in tried to move past it. But, his mom, seeing in boxing a chance for him to make something of boxing a chance for him to make something of himself doing what he enjoyed tried to himself doing what he enjoyed tried to convince him to give boxing another chance.convince him to give boxing another chance.

Joe decided to give boxing another try and Joe decided to give boxing another try and quit his job focusing on training. He returned to quit his job focusing on training. He returned to the amateur circuit and won fifty out of fifty four the amateur circuit and won fifty out of fifty four matches with forty three ending in knockouts.matches with forty three ending in knockouts.

John Roxborough: Dream John Roxborough: Dream MakerMaker

Joe’s domination of the amateur circuit brought Joe’s domination of the amateur circuit brought him to the attention of John Roxborough. him to the attention of John Roxborough. Roxborough moved Joe into his house, put him Roxborough moved Joe into his house, put him on a proper diet and bought him proper training on a proper diet and bought him proper training equipment.equipment.

Right before Joe went pro, he asked Right before Joe went pro, he asked Roxborough to be his manager and Roxborough to be his manager and Roxborough recruited Julian Black, a Chicago Roxborough recruited Julian Black, a Chicago numbers runner.numbers runner.

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Beating Racism and Beating Racism and StereotypesStereotypes

Jack Blackburn, a trainer who had already taken two Jack Blackburn, a trainer who had already taken two boxers to world championships was enlisted as the boxers to world championships was enlisted as the trainer. After being reluctant at first because Joe was trainer. After being reluctant at first because Joe was black, Blackburn finally took him and worked to make black, Blackburn finally took him and worked to make sure he had a great reputation.sure he had a great reputation.

Joe Louis’ first boxing match occurred on July 4, 1934. Joe Louis’ first boxing match occurred on July 4, 1934. He knocked out Jack Kracken in the first round. By He knocked out Jack Kracken in the first round. By October 30October 30thth of that year when he knocked out Jack of that year when he knocked out Jack O’Dowd, he had won nine straight matches. Joe’s O’Dowd, he had won nine straight matches. Joe’s reputation was steadily growing, along with his reputation was steadily growing, along with his paychecks. Louis was constantly sending money home paychecks. Louis was constantly sending money home to support his family, but having all of this money led to support his family, but having all of this money led Joe to develop spending problems that would plague Joe to develop spending problems that would plague him in later yearshim in later years

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From Alabama To From Alabama To Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden Joe kept winning and on January 4Joe kept winning and on January 4 thth, 1935 he , 1935 he

defeated sixth ranked Patsy Perroni. Mike defeated sixth ranked Patsy Perroni. Mike Jacobs, an owner of a New York boxing club Jacobs, an owner of a New York boxing club needed a serious contender to get his club needed a serious contender to get his club started and he found this contender in Joe started and he found this contender in Joe Louis.Louis.

Joe joined this club and Jacobs assured Joe Joe joined this club and Jacobs assured Joe that he wouldn’t have to throw any fights unlike that he wouldn’t have to throw any fights unlike some of the famous boxing promoters.some of the famous boxing promoters.

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America Vs. Hitler, The America Vs. Hitler, The Louis Schmeling FightLouis Schmeling Fight

After this, Joe was ranked as the number one After this, Joe was ranked as the number one contender, in what was considered to be a tune up fight contender, in what was considered to be a tune up fight before a title shot. Louis lost to Schmeling. But, luckily before a title shot. Louis lost to Schmeling. But, luckily there was already a fight between Louis and Braddock there was already a fight between Louis and Braddock the current title holder. So Joe Louis defeated the current title holder. So Joe Louis defeated Braddock at Madison Square Garden and became the Braddock at Madison Square Garden and became the title holder.title holder.

Schmeling, disappointed about not having a chance for Schmeling, disappointed about not having a chance for the title, scheduled a rematch between him and Louis. the title, scheduled a rematch between him and Louis. Louis defeated Schmeling in two minutes and forty five Louis defeated Schmeling in two minutes and forty five seconds.seconds.

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Bum Of The Month ClubBum Of The Month Club

In twenty nine months, Joe Louis In twenty nine months, Joe Louis defended his title an unprecedented defended his title an unprecedented thirteen times.thirteen times.

The pace of these fights combined with The pace of these fights combined with his convincing wins earned Louis’ his convincing wins earned Louis’ opponents from this era the collective opponents from this era the collective nickname “The Bum of the Month” club.nickname “The Bum of the Month” club.

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A National HeroA National Hero

Shortly after Pearl Harbor Joe enlisted in the Army. Shortly after Pearl Harbor Joe enlisted in the Army. The army sent him on a series of exhibition matches The army sent him on a series of exhibition matches for the troops as well as a couple of speaking for the troops as well as a couple of speaking engagements. He donated the proceeds got from fights engagements. He donated the proceeds got from fights to the Navy Relief Fund twice. And he secretly worked to the Navy Relief Fund twice. And he secretly worked to desegregate the army.to desegregate the army.

After the war was over he started to decline and his After the war was over he started to decline and his constant womanizing led to the divorce of his wife constant womanizing led to the divorce of his wife Marva.Marva.

He also was in debt hundreds of thousands of dollars He also was in debt hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes. He tried to make a comeback because in back taxes. He tried to make a comeback because he needed money but he lost to Ezzard Charles and he needed money but he lost to Ezzard Charles and then Rocky Marciano.then Rocky Marciano.

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The Fall of a HeroThe Fall of a Hero

For the rest of his life Joe would struggle with money For the rest of his life Joe would struggle with money problems.problems.

After showing signs of being addicted to cocaine and After showing signs of being addicted to cocaine and being mentally ill he was committed to a mental being mentally ill he was committed to a mental institute in Colorado and with the help and institute in Colorado and with the help and encouragement of his ex-wife Martha he overcame his encouragement of his ex-wife Martha he overcame his addiction to cocaine.addiction to cocaine.

In 1970, Caesars Palace hired him as a greeter. A job In 1970, Caesars Palace hired him as a greeter. A job which involved signing autographs, betting house which involved signing autographs, betting house money, and playing golf with special guests. The money, and playing golf with special guests. The casino provided him with housing and the job was casino provided him with housing and the job was perfect for Joe. He worked and lived at the casino until perfect for Joe. He worked and lived at the casino until a massive heart attack felled him on April 12, 1981.a massive heart attack felled him on April 12, 1981.

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His AccomplishmentsHis Accomplishments

1933, Won 50 of 54 amateur boxing matches, 43 by knockouts; 1933, Won 50 of 54 amateur boxing matches, 43 by knockouts; 1935, Won 20 of 20 professional boxing wins, including defeats of 1935, Won 20 of 20 professional boxing wins, including defeats of former world heavyweight champions Primo Carnera and Max former world heavyweight champions Primo Carnera and Max Baer; 1935, Associated Press "Athlete of the Year" award; Baer; 1935, Associated Press "Athlete of the Year" award; 1936,1938-39,1941, 1936,1938-39,1941, RingRing magazine's "Boxer of the Year"; 1937- magazine's "Boxer of the Year"; 1937-49, World Heavyweight Champion, longest reign in boxing history; 49, World Heavyweight Champion, longest reign in boxing history; 1941, Edward Neil Memorial Plaque (for man who contributed the 1941, Edward Neil Memorial Plaque (for man who contributed the most to boxing); 1993, First boxer honored on a U.S. postage most to boxing); 1993, First boxer honored on a U.S. postage stamp. stamp.

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Chronological List of Chronological List of EventsEvents 1914 Born May 13 in LaFayette, Alabama1914 Born May 13 in LaFayette, Alabama

1926 Moves to Detroit, Michigan1926 Moves to Detroit, Michigan 1932 Fights first amateur boxing bout1932 Fights first amateur boxing bout 1934 Moves in with John Roxborough, asks Roxborough to become his manager1934 Moves in with John Roxborough, asks Roxborough to become his manager 1934 First professional boxing match, July 41934 First professional boxing match, July 4 1935 Defeats Italian Primo Carnera, June 25, and becomes media sensation1935 Defeats Italian Primo Carnera, June 25, and becomes media sensation 1935 Marries Marva Trotter, September 241935 Marries Marva Trotter, September 24 1935 Defeats Max Baer to become top heavyweight contender, September 241935 Defeats Max Baer to become top heavyweight contender, September 24 1936 Loses to German Max Schmeling, June 111936 Loses to German Max Schmeling, June 11 1937 Becomes World Heavyweight Champion, defeating James Braddock on June 221937 Becomes World Heavyweight Champion, defeating James Braddock on June 22 1938 Defeats Max Schmeling in rematch, June 22, becoming national hero1938 Defeats Max Schmeling in rematch, June 22, becoming national hero 1942 Enlists in U.S. Army1942 Enlists in U.S. Army 1945 Enlistment ends in October1945 Enlistment ends in October 1945 Divorces Marva Trotter1945 Divorces Marva Trotter 1946 Remarries Marva1946 Remarries Marva 1949 Divorces Marva1949 Divorces Marva 1949 Retires as undefeated World Heavyweight Champion1949 Retires as undefeated World Heavyweight Champion 1950 Loses comeback attempt against new heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles, September 271950 Loses comeback attempt against new heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles, September 27 1951 Last professional boxing match, loses to Rocky Marciano, October 261951 Last professional boxing match, loses to Rocky Marciano, October 26 1955 Marries Rose Morgan, a successful beauty shop operator, on December 251955 Marries Rose Morgan, a successful beauty shop operator, on December 25 1958 Divorces Rose1958 Divorces Rose 1959 Marries attorney Martha Malone Jefferson1959 Marries attorney Martha Malone Jefferson 1967 Louises adopt a baby boy, naming him Joseph. Apparently, this the child of Joe Louis and a New York City prostitute, identified 1967 Louises adopt a baby boy, naming him Joseph. Apparently, this the child of Joe Louis and a New York City prostitute, identified

as "Marie" in Louis' autobiography. Martha would go on to adopt three more of Marie's children, of unknown paternity.as "Marie" in Louis' autobiography. Martha would go on to adopt three more of Marie's children, of unknown paternity. 1970 Committed temporarily to Colorado state mental institution1970 Committed temporarily to Colorado state mental institution 1970 Takes position as greeter at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada1970 Takes position as greeter at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada 1981 Dies of massive heart attack on April 121981 Dies of massive heart attack on April 12