Boxing Legend Max Schmeling Dead at 99

[CatWoman]

Former heavyweight champion Max Schmeling died Wednesday at his home in Hollenstedt, Germany. He was 99 years old. In the United States, Schmeling will be best remembered for his two legendary bouts with American Joe Louis. Schmeling won the first bout but lost the second.

In the days leading up to World War II, Adolph Hitler tried to use Schmeling's boxing success as 'evidence' of Aryan superiority. He became the first ever European to win the heavyweight title in 1930 when defending champ Jack Sharkey was disqualified for low blows.

His first fight with Louis took place on June 19, 1936. Schmeling, a 10-1 underdog, upset Louis. Upon his return to Germany, Hitler began to favor Schmeling and said his victory over the American Negro was evidence of Aryan superiority. Louis knocked Schmeling out in the first round of their rematch in 1938 in a bout that was widely touted as a match between two countries and two cultures as it was between two men.

'Looking back, I'm almost happy I lost that fight,' Schmeling said in 1975. 'Just imagine if I would have come back to Germany with a victory. I had nothing to do with the Nazis, but they would have given me a medal. After the war I might have been considered a war criminal.'


http://www.elitestv.com/pub/2005/Feb/EEN4203941f1fc42.html

[JVS]

1. Wow, I figured he had died long ago

[Zuni]

4. yeah. I had no idea he was still alive

[Zuni]

2. Schmeling fought with the German paratroops in Crete

I believe. I read that he was wounded there

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. Hitler often sent him on suicide missions, anticipating he would die.

Apparently due to Schmeling's "betrayal."

This is an interesting find:

http://www.auschwitz.dk/schmeling.htm

[ohiosmith]

3. And.....

Later, he helped out Joe Louis financially when the ex-champ hit hard times. Schmeling even paid for his former rivals funeral in 1981.

[Zuni]

5. That is awesome

I never knew that

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. His life story sounds pretty amazing.

I read his wikipedia entry this morning that recalled how he helped Jews flee persecution during Krystallnacht. I'm proud that he refused to let the Nazis use him as a model for Aryan masterhood.

[DrWeird]

7. Damn.

He was a pretty neat guy. There was an interesting documentary on him and Louis on PBS a few weeks ago. I had no idea he was still alive.

[Hokie]

9. "The Fight" on PBS was great

The American Experience recently ran a film on the Louis - Schmeling fights. I gained a lot of respect for Schmeling after watching that film. Here is more from the article:

"After the war, Schmeling bought some Coca-Cola franchises in Germany and was able to make a significant amount of money. He remained married to the same woman, Anny Ondra, for 54 years. Later, he helped out Joe Louis financially when the ex-champ hit hard times. Schmeling even paid for his former rivals funeral in 1981"