This Day in Black History: March 1, 1949
Heavyweight championship boxer Joe Louis, who held the title for a record 11 years and 10 months, retires from the sport.
On this day, in 1949, heavyweight boxer Joe Louis (1914–1981) retired from the sport. His robust career had many highlights, but perhaps the biggest was the honor of holding his heavyweight title for a record 11 years and 10 months. He is largely considered to be the first African-American fighter to achieve national acclaim for his athletic abilities.
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(Photo: PA Photos/Landov)
