Joseph Louis Barrow

Joseph Louis Barrow was a professional boxer in the United States from 1934 until 1951. Louis, nicknamed the Brown Bomber, is widely considered to be one of the best and most influential boxers of all time. From 1937 until his short retirement in 1949, he held the world heavyweight title. He won 25 straight championship defenses, a record in all weight classes. Louis held the record for the longest single reign as champion in boxing history.

Louis' cultural impact extended well beyond the ring. He is widely regarded as the first individual of African-American origin to be recognized as a national hero in the United States, and his historic rematch with German boxer Max Schmeling in 1938 was a focal point of anti-Nazi feelings leading up to and during World War II. He was influential in unifying the game of golf, breaking the sport's color barrier in America by competing in a PGA event under a sponsor's exemption in 1952.

Born: May 13, 1914
Died: April 12, 1981

Nationality: American