Max Schmeling
German heavyweight champion known for fights with Joe Louis.
Maximilian 'Max' Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a German boxer who held the world heavyweight championship between 1930 and 1932. He is the only boxer to win the world heavyweight title on a foul, and his two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 became worldwide cultural events due to their national associations. Starting his professional career in 1924, Schmeling went to the United States in 1928 and, after a ninth-round technical knockout of Johnny Risko, became a sensation. He died in 2005 at age 99, the longest-living heavyweight champion in history.
- born
- 28 September 1905
- died
- 2 February 2005
- nationality
- German
- known_for
- Heavyweight champion; two fights with Joe Louis; longest-living heavyweight cham
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Max Schmeling began his professional career in 1924 and went to the United States in 1928, becoming a sensation after a ninth-round technical knockout of Johnny Risko. In 1930, he won the vacant heavyweight championship by disqualification after opponent Jack Sharkey hit him with a low blow in the fourth round. He retained the title in 1931 with a technical knockout over Young Stribling, but lost it to Sharkey in a controversial split decision in 1932. In 1933, Schmeling lost to Max Baer by a tenth-round technical knockout, leading many to believe he was past his prime. That same year, he married Czech film actress Anny Ondra. Schmeling never joined the Nazi Party, despite Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany. In 1936, he knocked out American rising star Joe Louis, placing him as the number one contender for Jim Braddock's title, but Louis got the fight and knocked Braddock out to win the championship in 1937. Schmeling finally got a chance to regain his title in 1938 in the rematch, but Louis won by TKO in the first round.
Reader's Guide
Max Schmeling's significance extends beyond his boxing achievements. His 1936 knockout of American rising star Joe Louis made him the number one contender for Jim Braddock's title, but Louis got the fight and won the championship in 1937. The 1938 rematch, in which Louis won by TKO in the first round, became a symbol of national rivalry. During World War II, Schmeling served as a paratrooper in the German Air Force. After the war, he mounted a comeback but retired permanently in 1948 and later worked for The Coca-Cola Company. Schmeling became friends with Joe Louis, and their friendship lasted until Louis's death in 1981. Long after the war, it was revealed that Schmeling had risked his life to save two Jewish children in 1938. He died in 2005 at age 99, the longest-living heavyweight champion in history. In 2003, The Ring magazine ranked him 55th on its list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Did You Know?
- Schmeling is the only boxer to win the world heavyweight championship on a foul, after Jack Sharkey hit him with a low blow in the fourth round in 1930.
- In 1936, Schmeling knocked out American rising star Joe Louis, making him the number one contender for Jim Braddock's title.
- During World War II, Schmeling served with the German Air Force as a paratrooper.
- Long after the war, it was revealed that Schmeling had risked his life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938.
- At age 99, Schmeling was the longest-living heavyweight boxing champion in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Max Schmeling?
Max Schmeling was a German heavyweight boxer who held the world heavyweight championship from 1930 to 1932. He is most widely remembered for his two marquee bouts against Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938.
How did Max Schmeling win the heavyweight title?
Schmeling captured the world heavyweight crown in 1930 when his opponent committed a foul that ended the fight, making him the only champion in history to claim the title on a foul. He went on to defend the belt until 1932.
What happened in the Schmeling–Louis fights?
Schmeling knocked out Joe Louis in 1936, a result that was widely interpreted as a national victory for Germany. Louis then reclaimed the honor in their 1938 rematch, and both bouts became enormous cultural events that transcended the sport itself.
How long did Max Schmeling live?
Born on 28 September 1905, Schmeling passed away on 2 February 2005 at the age of 99. That made him the longest-living former heavyweight champion in the history of the division.
Why is Max Schmeling considered important in boxing history?
His fights in the 1930s carried intense national and political symbolism, turning each bout into a worldwide spectacle far beyond the ring. Combined with the singular fact that he won the title on a foul, Schmeling occupies a unique place among heavyweight champions.
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