Max Schmeling, 99; Boxer Became, for a Time, Symbol of Nazi Germany After Defeating Louis(Obituary)

The Los Angeles Times ^ | 2/5/2005 | Earl Gustkey

[kellynla]

Max Schmeling, who unwittingly became a symbol of Nazi Germany in two dramatic 1930s bouts with American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, died Wednesday at his home in Hollenstedt, Germany. He was 99.

According to his foundation, the former world heavyweight champion was buried Friday after a private ceremony at an undisclosed location. No cause of death was reported.

Schmeling's reign as champion had already ended when he agreed to fight the fast-rising Louis in 1936. The German had become the first European heavyweight world champion in 1930. In an elimination bout for the championship at Yankee Stadium, Jack Sharkey hit Schmeling with a low blow, and the referee awarded Schmeling the victory and the title. Two years later, Schmeling lost the title on a decision in a rematch with Sharkey.

In 1936, Schmeling, 30, was the last legitimate heavyweight who hadn't tested the undefeated 23-year-old Louis.

[kellynla]

It has been said that Schmeling helped Joe Louis out financially on several occasions. And that they were very good friends. Rest in Peace, Max.

[GVnana]

One of the last true gentlemen in his sport. RIP Max.

[Always Right]

One of the last true gentlemen in his sport. RIP Max.

Oh come on, what about Mike Tyson...

[atomicpossum]

I admit that I had no idea he was still alive. Hearing about Max Schmeling was like hearing about Lindbergh or Sergeant York-- he was a historical figure. To hear that someone like this was still alive in the world was kind of jarring, really. It changes your whole perception.

[El Gran Salseron]

When Cassius Clay fought Floyd Patterson on tv it was because Patterson was in dire financial straits. When Clay found out that Patterson was in a bad financial way he offered the fight to Patterson rather than just give him the money and let him save face that way.

But I didn't know that about Schmelling/Louis.

[Kurt_D]

That, my friend, is a matter of fact. He paid for Joe's funeral. In addition, he used his status as national hero to help several of his Jewish acquaintances during the Third Reich. Furthermore, he was a friend of America and the Americans. Last but not least, he made a good living after World War II distributing Coca Cola in Northern Germany.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I admit that I had no idea he was still alive. Hearing about Max Schmeling was like hearing about Lindbergh or Sergeant York-- he was a historical figure. To hear that someone like this was still alive in the world was kind of jarring, really. It changes your whole perception.

Agreed. A friend and I were just talking about him last week and I am totally amazed he just now passed. He had the misfortune of being caught up in the Allies vs. Axis mess. What a charmed life he must have led to have survived to be 99.

[The Old Hoosier]

[91B]

Sports Illustrated did a story on Schmeling just a couple of years ago and everything you said was included. What you didn't note is that his manager was Jewish much to the chagrin of the Nazis and that fact is probably why he was drafted into the Wehrmacht airborne (the Fallschirmjager) and sent to fight in Crete despite being relativley advanced in age (over 30) when the war broke out.

Schmeling was a true sporting gentleman. RIP.

[gopwinsin04]

[i_dont_chat]

Just last week I saw an excellent feature on the History Channel on the two boxers, and although some of it was not very flattering for Max Schmeling (concerning his look-the-other-way attitude toward Hitler), at the end, it seemed that Mr. Schmeling was a special individual with special talents, who tried to do what he could for those in need.

The piece made it a point to show that Joe Louis and he became great friends. There was a clip of the old TV program "This is Your Life" when Mr. Schmeling came onto the stage to surprise Joe Louis. And the two men seemed genuinely fond of each other.

RIP

[Kurt_D]

True, he had a good relationship with his American manager. Hitler wanted him to have a German one, but Schmeling was loyal to his manager. As an American with good connections, Joe Jacobs was way more effective than any German counterpart in setting up fights for Max. America - and not Germany - was (and is) the capital of world boxing. Anyway, Schmeling didn't care if people were black or white, Christian or Jewish...

[RdhseRat]

If you are interested in the Schmelling-Louis fights and friendship, you might want to watch " Joe and Max." Caught it on one of the cable networks. Does a pretty good job of telling Schmelling's story.

The book " Max Schmelling-An Autobiography" is also very good.

[PzLdr]

Schmeling apparently hid a couple of Jewish youngsters in his apartment during Krisstalnacht, spurned Goebbels efforts to turn him into a propaganda piece (as much as he could), and refused to ditch his Jewish manager. His wife, who was an actress, shared his views. Once Louis beat him, the Nazis had no further use for him, and Schmeling wound up the the Luftwaffe's 7th (Fallschirmjaeger) Division.

[Osage Orange]

He also supposely said that he was glad Lewis knocked him out....because if he hadn't of...Schmeling said he thought he would have been charged as a Nazi War Criminal.

Interesting story, interesting man.

[PAR35]

$30 for a ticket in the 1930s was pretty steep. You could buy a new 4 door Studebaker sedan for $740 - or less than 25 prime seats to the bout.

[ccmay]

Wow, a $30 ticket in 1938? That was big stuff. Lots of people didn't make $30 a month in those days.

-ccm

[kellynla]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[BluH2o]

Wow, a $30 ticket in 1938?

That translates into approx. $300.00 in todays money.

[BluH2o]

That translates into approx. $300.00 in todays money.

Recalculation on that number ... $30.00 in 1938 translates into $365.00 in todays money.