A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis written by
Matt De La Pena; illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial Books for
Young Readers) 2011 Source: Mebane Public Library There are some
events and some broadcasts, some sporting activities, that reach
out to millions of people and touch them in a very deep way. -
Lewis Erenberg (The Fight of the Century: Louis vs. Schmeling:
NPR 2006) Joe Louis was a rising star in the heavyweight boxing
division when he fought Max Schmeling for the first time in
1936. In a huge upset, the older Schmeling knocked out Louis in
the 12th round. This was a crushing blow for Louis supporters.
Many cried in the streets immediately after Joe's defeat. Being
a German, Schmeling's victory was trumpeted by the Nazi
propaganda machine. Louis was down, but certainly not out. He
returned to the ring with renewed purpose and soon thereafter
claimed the world heavyweight crown from James J. Braddock. But
Joe knew his work was not finished. In June of 1938, Louis met
Schmeling for a seco