Joe Louis Record & Stats

Boxing Record

Career Summary

Joe Louis' professional boxing career spanned more than 17 years — from 1934 to 1951.

Louis made his debut against Jack Kracken at the age of 20 on July 7, 1934, defeating Kracken via 1st round KO. He went on to win 23 more consecutive fights after the debut, which included 19 wins via stoppage.

Louis had his first world title fight at the age of 23 on June 22, 1937 after 32 professional fights, against James J. Braddock for the heavyweight NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring titles. He defeated Braddock via 8th round KO to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

Louis won one world title at heavyweight. For all the details about Louis' world title wins and defenses refer to "Joe Louis World Titles".

Some of Louis' best fights and notable victories include wins over Primo Carnera, Max Schmeling, Max Baer, Billy Conn, James J. Braddock, Jack Sharkey, and Jersey Joe Walcott.

Joe Louis had a total of three losses in his professional boxing career — one of them in a title bout and two in non-title bouts. He suffered his first loss against Max Schmeling via 12th round KO on June 19, 1936, which ended his 24-fight win streak. He was stopped two times and lost once via decision. For more details about these defeats, refer to "All of Joe Louis' losses".

His last professional fight was a non-title bout against fellow American boxer Rocky Marciano at 37 years of age, on October 26, 1951. Louis lost the fight via 8th round TKO.

Louis retired from professional boxing with a record of 66-3, which included 52 knockout wins and 2 losses via knockout, and 1 title win. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 1990.

Career Highlights

Joe Louis fought a total of 69 times during his professional career. He was among the very best of his generation and is one of the pound-for-pound best boxers of all time. These nine fights are the highlight of his career.

• Joe Louis vs. Primo Carnera

  June 25, 1935

  The first remarkable big fight in Joe Louis' career. A 21-year old Louis (19-0, 15 KO) faced Primo Carnera on June 25, 1935. Carnera was 28 years old with a record of 82-7. Carnera was on a four-fight win streak with 66 KO wins, and was the taller of the two by 10 cms and also had a 23 cm reach advantage over Louis.

  Louis defeated Carnera via 6th round TKO.

• Joe Louis vs. Max Baer

  September 24, 1935

  A 21-year old Joe Louis (21-0, 17 KO) faced Max Baer, who was 26 years old with a record of 40-8. Baer was on a one-fight losing streak, and was the taller of the two by 1 cm and also had a 13 cm reach advantage over Louis.

  Louis defeated Baer via 4th round KO.

• Joe Louis vs. Jack Sharkey

  August 18, 1936

  A 22-year old Joe Louis (24-1, 20 KO) faced Jack Sharkey, who was 33 years old with a record of 38-13-3. Sharkey was on a one-fight win streak with 13 KO wins. Louis was the taller of the two by 5 cms and also had a 10 cm reach advantage.

  Louis defeated Sharkey via 3rd round KO.

• Joe Louis vs. James J. Braddock

  June 22, 1937

  A 23-year old Joe Louis (31-1, 26 KO) faced James J. Braddock, who was 32 years old with a record of 51-25-7. Braddock was on a six-fight win streak with 27 KO wins. Both the boxers were of the same height but Louis had a 2 cm reach advantage over Braddock.

  Louis defeated Braddock via 8th round KO to win the NBA, NYSAC, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.

• Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling II

  June 22, 1938

  In a rematch, a 24-year old Joe Louis (35-1, 29 KO) faced Max Schmeling, who was now 32 years old with a record of 52-7-4 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Schmeling was on a seven-fight win streak with 36 KO wins. Louis was the taller of the two by 3 cms but both had the same reach.

  Louis defeated Schmeling via 1st round KO to retain the NBA, NYSAC, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.

• Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn

  June 18, 1941

  A 27-year old Joe Louis (49-1, 41 KO) faced Billy Conn, who was 23 years old with a record of 59-9-1 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Conn was on a 19-fight win streak with 13 KO wins. Louis was the taller of the two by 1 cm and also had a 9 cm reach advantage.

  Louis defeated Conn via 13th round KO to retain the NBA, NYSAC, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.

• Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn II

  June 19, 1946

  In a rematch, a 32-year old Joe Louis (54-1, 46 KO) faced Billy Conn, who was now 28 years old with a record of 62-10-1 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Conn was on a three-fight win streak with 13 KO wins. Louis was the taller of the two by 1 cm and also had a 9 cm reach advantage.

  Louis defeated Conn via 8th round KO to retain the NBA, NYSAC, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.

• Joe Louis vs. Jersey Joe Walcott

  December 5, 1947

  A 33-year old Joe Louis (56-1, 48 KO) faced Jersey Joe Walcott, who was 33 years old with a record of 44-11-2 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Walcott was on a three-fight win streak with 27 KO wins. Louis was the taller of the two by 5 cms and also had a 5 cm reach advantage.

  Louis defeated Walcott via 15 round split-decision to retain the NBA, NYSAC, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.

• Joe Louis vs. Jersey Joe Walcott II

  June 25, 1948

  In an immediate rematch, a 34-year old Joe Louis (57-1, 48 KO) faced Jersey Joe Walcott, who was now 34 years old with a record of 44-12-2 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Walcott had lost to Louis in their last fight. Louis was the taller of the two by 5 cms and also had a 5 cm reach advantage.

  Louis defeated Walcott via 11th round KO to retain the NBA, NYSAC, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.