Photo compliments of Britannica
He was born Joseph Lewis Barrow in Chambers County, Alabama. Known as the “Brown Bomber” he gained the title by defeating James Braddock in 1937. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1937 to 1949. He had a longer reign than any other champion in any division in the history of boxing. He successfully defended his title 25 times before retiring in 1949.
He is a jewel in the crown of boxing throughout the world. He fought 69 times with 52 knockouts and only 3 losses. He helped put the sweet in the term sweet science.
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