Name: Career Record: click Alias: Black Uhlan of the Rhine Nationality: German Birthplace: Klein-Luckow / Uckermark, Germ Hometown: Brandenburg, Born: 1905-09-28 Died: 2005-02-02 Age at Death: 99 Stance: Orthodox Height: 6' 1 Reach: 76? Trainer: Max Machon Managers: Max Machon, Joe Jacobs

Career Overview

In America, he was routinely cast by promoters as the cold-hearted, villainous invader, a puppet of Hitler and a hater of . In Germany, Nazi propagandists portrayed him as a heroic symbol of German destiny and Aryan supremacy. In no way was Max Schmeling any of these things. He was a quality prizefighter with respectable technique, a solid right hand punch, and a keen intellect. The clash of politics, ideals, and countries that often symbolically accompanied his biggest fights only took place within the perceptions of the audience; they had nothing to do with what happened in the ring. Instead of being respected for his multiple accomplishments in the ring, he spent much of his life derided in America as a Nazi and dismissed in Germany as a disappointment. It was only in his later life that his status as a fighter, apart from his cultural symbolism, could be clearly analyzed.

Early Years

Schmeling first became acquainted with boxing as a teenager, when his father took him to watch film of the championship match between and . Impressed with Dempsey’s performance in that fight, young Schmeling became determined to imitate his new hero. He began boxing in amateur competitions and, by 1924, won Germany’s national amateur title in the division. Shortly thereafter he turned professional. Ironically, though he idolized the raging, brawling Dempsey, Max developed a careful, scientific style of fighting that leant itself more to counterpunching. Using this style, he got off to an impressive – though hardly sensational – start by winning seventeen of his first twenty-three bouts, thirteen by . In 1925 he had the thrill of getting into the ring with Dempsey himself, who was then still heavyweight champion of the world and was touring Europe. Dempsey boxed for two rounds with the then unknown German and, according to a story later told by Schmeling, was greatly impressed. He proved Dempsey’s praises correct on August 24, 1926, when picking up the German light heavyweight championship with a first round knockout of rival Max Diekmann, who had previously beaten Max. The next year, Schmeling won the European championship by stopping Fernand Delarge in the first boxing match broadcast live in Germany. Then, in 1928, he secured the German heavyweight championship with a first round knockout of Michele Bonaglia and decided to chase bigger fights and bigger purses in the .

Arriving in for the first time in 1928, Schmeling was hardly noticed by the American fight circles. Considered a stiff European fighter who had padded his record against Germany unknowns, he was given few opportunities to prove himself until he hooked up with American manager Joe Jacobs, a man with the proper talents and connections to move Max’s career along a positive path. Schmeling’s debut in America took place at with an eighth round knockout of Joe Monte, who was not a top flight heavyweight but nonetheless a young American who had been in with some tough competition. Two more victories led to a fight with Johnny Risko, one of the biggest names in the division, though somewhat beyond his prime. On February 1, 1929, Schmeling floored Risko four times with his right hand before the referee halted the contest in the ninth round to save Risko from further punishment. The surprised crowd in attendance roared with appreciation and The Ring magazine subsequently recognized the win as its “Fight of the Year.”

"Low Blow Champion"

Boxing pundits were quickly changing their opinions of the German. When he defeated highly regarded Spaniard Paolino Uzcudun via fifteen round decision at later that year, Max was suddenly regarded as the foremost young contender in the division. With reigning heavyweight champion recently retired promoters arranged a matchup between Max and veteran contender to fill the vacancy. On June 12, 1930, at Yankee Stadium, in a fight billed as the “Battle of the Continents,” Schmeling fell badly behind on points going into the fourth round. Outboxed by Sharkey, Schmeling was trying to corner his opponent when Sharkey let loose with a blow to the body which may have strayed below the belt line. Max immediately clutched his groin and fell to the canvas, claiming to have been fouled. When manager Jacobs ran into the ring, prompting all kinds of chaos, the confused referee disqualified Sharkey and declared Schmeling the victor and the first (and only) man to win the heavyweight championship on a foul. The New York State Athletic Commission, reviewing the call, agreed.

The first European-born boxer to win the heavyweight championship in thirty-three years, Max was also the first from Germany to hold the distinction. Still, the way in which he won the title proved an embarrassment. Called the “low blow champion” he was disparaged in both America and Europe as an undeserving titleholder. When he initially refused to face Sharkey in a rematch, the New York State Athletic Commission officially stripped him of their recognition as world champion, but he remained recognized by both the National Boxing Association and The Ring magazine. Some of the criticism faded after Max’s first defense, an impressive fifteen round decision over , a future hall of famer with 239 wins to his credit by 1930. The New York Commission, meanwhile, had given their recognition as champion to Sharkey. Thus, in order to solidify his title as undisputed, Max was forced to sign a contract to face the Boston Gob once more. On June 21, 1932, the championship picture became even more muddled when Sharkey won a highly controversial split decision, taking the championship. Many in attendance felt that Max had proven himself the better man and was robbed. In losing the championship, the German had managed to elevate his reputation in the minds of boxing fans.

Walker and Baer

When Schmeling faced , the future hall of famer who had recently held Sharkey to a draw that many felt Walker deserved, it was thought by some that this fight was for the real heavyweight championship. Walker, a former , was a popular slugger who had won championships in two divisions but was at a considerably size disadvantage against Max. Though Mickey fought bravely and took the lead on points early in the fight, Schmeling showed both boxing ability and punching power in dealing out a terrific beating as the fight progressed. After eight exciting rounds, Walker’s corner threw in the towel, confirming Schmeling’s status as the leading heavyweight contender.

With the coming of 1933, however, Schmeling’s image in America began to take a decided turn. In 1932, the Nazi Party became the most powerful political force in Germany and its ideologies, voiced by party leader , overflowed with anti-Semitic tendencies. Major American cities such as New York had large Jewish populations who worried over what the party could mean for people of their religion in the future. Schmeling, because he was German and because he refused to criticize the Nazis, was viewed as an extention of Hitler’s plans for world domination. When Schmeling was slated to fight heavy-hitting contender on June 8, 1933, he immediately became the “bad guy” in the eyes of fans. Baer, who did not practice the Jewish religion but had a Jewish grandfather, came into the ring wearing the on his shorts. Promoter Jack Dempsey played up this angle and suddenly the fight was viewed as Baer defending his faith against the prejudice of the Nazis, represented reluctantly by Schmeling. Thrown off of his game in part by the bad publicity, but also because of Baer’s wild, brawling style and frequent fouls (including backhand punches and rabbit punches), Schmeling was positively thrashed for ten rounds before nearly 60,000 onlookers at Yankee Stadium. While the German took a vicious battering against the ropes in the tenth, the referee leapt in to stop the fight. The embarrassingly one-sided fight, combined with a follow-up loss to contender Steve Hamas early the next year, left many wondering if Schmeling was still a world class fighter.

Dismantling the Bomber

Returning to his native Germany, Max won three of his next four fights. His opponents were of an impressive caliber, but many among the American press and fans remained unmoved on the idea of rooting for Schmeling in light of the Nazi Party’s behavior. Articles continued to be published declaring the German “washed up,” a “has been,” or a “Nazi puppet.” When he was matched with undefeated African American sensation in 1936 for Max’s first fight on American soil in more than two years, he was clearly the betting underdog, considered a name opponent for Louis to roll over on his route to the title. Prior to the match, Schmeling carefully studied films of Louis’ prior fight with Max Baer, dissecting apparent flaws in the Detroit fighter’s technique. Among the weaknesses he noticed was the fact that Louis lowered his left hand after throwing a left jab. In the ring, Max exploited this subtle flaw to his own advantage, countering nearly every Louis jab with his best punch, the right cross. The fight proved to be a competitive, hard-hitting affair for the first three rounds, but, in the fourth, a counter right from the German dropped Louis for the first time in his career. Though Louis rose, he was badly dazed for the remainder of the fight and Schmeling subsequently delivered the finest performance of his career. For a further eight rounds he battered Louis, often standing toe-to-toe with the vaunted puncher and landing that same right hand to the jaw repeatedly. In the twelfth he sent Joe tumbling to the floor once more, and this time Louis could not recover. He was counted out on the floor and Schmeling had scored the most talked-about sports upset of the year.

Now the unexpected number one contender for the heavyweight crown held by Jim Braddock, Schmeling looked forward to his chance to regain the title, scheduled for that September. The fight was postponed, however, when Braddock injured his hand in training. Rumors existed that the fight’s organizers were stalling, afraid of the negative publicity that would be generated over a perceived Nazi getting a shot at the world’s title. When it was confirmed that Braddock’s managers were in talks with the Louis camp, the New York Commission officially released an order for Braddock to fight Schmeling for the title. Any other fight, with Louis or otherwise, would not be recognized by New York as being for the championship. The Madison Square Garden Corporation, the largest promotional company in the sport at the time, even attempted to get a legal injunction against a Braddock-Louis fight (Louis was not on their roster). Nonetheless, in February in 1937, Schmeling received the bad news that the champion had indeed singed to defend his championship against Louis. A furious Max protested, but to no avail and was forced to watch from ringside as Louis knocked Braddock out and gained the championship. Sorely disappointed and convinced that he would never receive his chance at redemption, Schmeling fought just once more in America, an eighth round knockout of fringe contender Harry Thomas, before returning to Germany. In his native land, Schmeling was regarded as a hero and promoted by the Nazi propaganda machine as a perfect example of German supremacy over the rest of the world by virtue of his stunning defeat of the current champion, Louis. The government ordered parades and rallies in his honor. He became a friend to Hitler and other powerful figures in the government and also a popular subject of newspaper articles and films. He continued to press for a chance at a rematch with Louis and in the meantime padded his record against overmatched fighters Ben Foord and Steve Dudas.

"Battle of the Century"

In 1938, champion Joe Louis announced that he would indeed face Schmeling for the title. The rematch became an instant international sensation. Many clamored impatiently for its happening, but others, afraid of international tensions and the possibility of Hitler taking over the championship, protested. The controversy and ballyhoo led to the even becoming the most anticipated boxing match since the rematch between Dempsey and Gene Tunney, or possibly earlier. Louis, with his poor, African American roots was adopted by American fans as the symbol of America as a land of opportunity. In contrast, Americans perceived Schmeling and his ties to Hitler as an obvious threat to those opportunities and ideals. When Max walked to the ring at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938, he did so under a hail of garbage thrown from the stands. Ironically, it was a less humiliating barrage than what he experienced in the ring. Louis came out blazing in the first round and Max tried to counterpunch as he had in the first bout, but to no avail. Driven into the ropes and battered with a fusillade of short, crisp blows from every angle, Max turned his back to his opponent and clutched onto the ropes, letting out a scream that years later many spectators could recall vividly. Schmeling would later claim that he screamed because he had been fouled with a blow to the kidneys. Max’s knees buckled under the punishment and referee Arthur Donovan pushed Louis away, beginning a count on Schmeling. Max reluctantly stepped away from the ropes and Donovan allowed him to continue. A few punches later, Max was laying on the canvas. From then on, he was helpless. He rose but fell moments later and Donovan stopped the fight.

When he returned to Germany, Schmeling learned that the Nazi propagandists had stopped the radio broadcast of the fight halfway through the first round, embarrassed by Max’s performance. He was now shunned by the Nazis. Forced to continue his career for money, Max managed to win both the German and European heavyweight championships on the same night, with a first round knockout of Adolf Heuser. He then retired from boxing. As war tensions increased in Europe, and then throughout the world, Max did what he could to silently protest the Nazi regime. During the Nazi purge of Jews from , he personally saved the lives of two Jewish neighbors by hiding them in his house. He also visited American P.O.W. camps and occasionally tried to help conditions for the prisoners. He remained loyal to his country, however, and, drafted into the Germany Army during the second World War, he served honorably as a paratrooper. After the war, strapped for money, he embarked upon a moderately successful comeback in boxing, three of his five bouts before re-entering retirement in 1948. During the 1950s, Schmeling began working for the Coca-Cola Company’s offices in Germany. Before long he owned his own bottling plant and held an executive’s position within the company, making millions of dollars a year. In 1992, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He lived his remaining years as a wealthy man and avid boxing fan, passing away on February 2, 2005 at the age of ninety-nine.

Wisconsin State Journal 13

William Muldoon Disagrees, Believes Sharkey's Blow Fair

Tunney Calls It a Foul; Newspaper Men Almost Unanimous T h a t Punch Was Low

NEW YORK, N. Y.

'William Muldoon, dean of the New York state athletic commission and co-donor of the Tunney - Muldoon heavyweight championship trophy, disagreed today with the almost unanimous opinion that Max Schmeling was fouled by Jack Sharkey in their titular bout at Yankee stadium Thursday night.

"I have to contradict all these young fellows, but in my opinion Sharkey would have been declared the winner by a knockout when Schmeling refused to answer the bell for the fifth round," the 85-. year-old boxing czar told the United Press.

. "The disputed blow, as I saw it, was a terrific left hook which landed just below the navel and was perfectly fair. These physicians' reports don't mean a thing. Signs of a foul blow would not be evident in a physical examination for several hours."

Gene Tunney, the other donor of the championship trophy, said he thought the blow was foul, and Dr. William Walker, official commission physician, who examined Schmeling after the bout declared he found a distinct spasm on the left, side Schmeling's groin. indicating a recent blow. The physician said that "Schmeling could not produce this condition unless he was hit low.' Opinions of newspaper men who viewed the bout from the ringside ; follow:

Frank Getty, United Press—"I was not in position to see exactly where . the blow in question landed, but Schmeling is too good a sportsman to have been faking, and obviously was fouled. Sharkey was winning all the way. and was most unfortunate to have landed this unintentional low blow."

Joe Williams, New York Telegram . I am firmly convinced that Schmeling was hit low and that the blow carried sufficient power to render him temporarily helpless. I don't agree that Max showed enough to warrant his being accepted as champion."

Grantland Rice, N. A. N. A.—"It was a foul and, although unintentional, had to be penalized."

Damon Runyan, New York American—"Any argument that the blow was not a foul is absolutely silly. It landed in the crotch and the follow through almost lifted Schmeling off his feet."

George Barton, Minneapolis Tribune—" I was not in position to see the punch, but I know Sharkey was winning up to that time. I've refereed bouts for 25 years and think if Schmeling was of real championship calibre he would have taken a rest and continued."

Ed Frayne, New York American— "The punch was foul but the decision was perfect and the best thing that could have happened for the boxing game."

Harvey Boyle, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, (member State Athletic Commission)— "The punch landed low and the rules had to be enforced. I think 95 per cent of the fighters who win bouts on fouls could continue, but it would be too much to expect a man to throw away his technical rights with a million dollar title already handed to him."

Round by Round

Round One

They met in midring, Max ducking into a clinch. Jack jabbed several lefts to the head and Schmeling hooked a left to the jaw. They sparred. Jack jabbed two lefts to the lace. Sharkey hooked two light lefts to head. Max swung left to head but missed. Max was coming in with his head down on Sharkey's chest. Sharkey landed short right to jaw and hooked another left to head with Max taking it easy. Schmeling put right to head. Jack grazed Max's face with left. It was a slow round with Sharkey having slight edge.

Round two

Max jumped in with straight right to jaw. They clinched. Jack hooked left to body. Max missed left to head and Sharkey spun him around with right. Max rushed but missed, Sharkey jabbing mercilessly with lefts. Schmeling rushed again and Sharkey uppercut savagely with right to heart. Jack let Max come at him and took left in stomach without return. Max hooked left to head. Jack uppercutted right to face. Schmeling was short with a right. Sharkey drove two lefts to face. Schmeling hooked a left to the jaw and they clinched. Sharkey dropped a right in Max's eye and hooked another to jaw at close quarters. Sharkey jabbed two lefts to face as the bell sounded. Sharkey's round.

Round three

Sharkey hooked light left to head and Max drove right to face. Schmeling tossed another right to head. Sharkey tied him up in a clinch. Max landed a left to body and head, stepping in close. Jack drove three hard rights to head staggering Max. Jack drove the German to ropes with rights and lefts to lace. Sharkey uppercut right to face with Max hanging on Sharkey drove right to face, sending Max back to ropes. Sharkey forced the fighting, Schmeling looking badly beaten. Jack crossed terrific right to side of head and whipped left to body. Max smiled. Sharkey's round.

Round four

Sharkey jabbed left to face. He whipped three lefts to face as Max missed a hard right. Max drove hard left to Sharkey's face. Schmeling went into clinch. Both missed badly with Sharkey swinging hard for knockout. They traded lefts to face. Sharkey took an easy crossed right to jaw as Max went in close. Sharkey whipped hard right to head. Schmeling crossed left. to face and Sharkey landed right to head. Schmeling bored in. Sharkey dropped him with left to body. Schmeling claimed foul from floor, round ending, when count was resumed by timer.

In fifth, when Schmeling refused to come out of corner, Referee Crowley advised with judges then declared Schmeling winner on foul. He and one of the judges were not in position to see low blow, the referee explained.

80,000 Who Saw Bout; Sharkey Had Piled Up Big Lead

By FRANK GETTY (United Press Sports Editor)

NEW YORK, N. Y. — T h e fistic world has a new heavyweight champion. today, but the decision which brought that honor to Max Schmeling, the fortunate youth of Germany, still rankles in the breasts of some 80.000 spectators who witnessed the unfortunate ending; to the battle for the title. With but six seconds left to go in the fourth round of Thursday night's spectacular fight in. Yankee stadium, .Jack Sharkey, who had outclassed Schmeling in every way, whipped home a terrific left hook which landed below Max's belt. The German, a badly beaten fighter until that moment, went down helpless and incapacitated, and after an inexcusable delay and amidst scene of tremendous confusion, Referee Jimmy Crowley awarded the fight and the championship to Schmeling.

No other decision was possible, since the only judge in a position to see where that swishing left hook landed declared it a papable foul. - The better man—Jack Sharkey— once more fell victim to the ill fortune which has dogged his footsteps across the years in which he has sought the heavyweight title.

Champion Is Lucky

Max Schmeling is the new champion of the world, but champion by virtue of the same good luck which has marked his career. The marble base of the "Tunney-Muldoon Trophy"' will be carved with the name of the German youth, but no one among the vast throng which packed every nook and cranny of the towering Yankee stadium Thursday night left with any doubt that Jack Sharkey was the better man.

For three rounds, the Bostonian, Proud of his chance to represent the United States in an international bout of such importance, trained to the minute, and fighting the greatest fight of his career, toyed with the young man of the Rhineland. In the third round, Schmeling was all but out on his feet, a battered and beaten victim of a worthy successor to the long line of heavyweight, champions from John L. Sullivan down through Gene Tunney.

Sharkey Had Big Edge

Five minutes later, after the confusion caused by the indecision of the referee, the clamor of seconds and managers and upon the word of a lone judge. Harold Barnes, it was Max Schmeling instead of Jack Sharkey who was declared the champion of the world.

Schmeling's Career Has No Parallel in Boxing History

Is Perhaps Least Impressive of Any Heavyweight in Records; Largely Case of Good Fortune

By GEORGE KIRK8EY

NEW YORK, Max Schmeling, a young German who emigrated to America only two years ago, with three against his record, and a broken hand, claimed the world's heavyweight championship today—on a foul.

Schmeling's career is without parallel in all heavyweight history. After six fights in this country, the young German has a claim to the heavyweight title which has eluded Jack Sharkey for three years, since the Bostonian reached the top in 1927.

Schmeling is 24, and has been boxing since 1924. The young German has a striking facial resemblance to Dempsey. Max Dickman scored a technical K. 0. over him in two rounds in 1924. Schmeling stopped Dickman in one round in 1926. , a Canadian Negro, knocked out Schmeling in two rounds in 1925. and Gypsy Daniels kayoed him in one round in 1928. Schmeling scored his greatest victory in this country by winning on a technical knockout over Johnny Risko in the ninth round. Risko has outfought Schmeling almost up until the end. but Schmeling's rights to the head eventually had the Clevelander bouncing all over the ring until he was no longer able to continue. Max returned to Germany because of entanglements over his contracts, but came back to fight Paolino for the milk fund last summer and he won a 15 round decision from the basque.

Schmeling has engaged in 53 bouts, winning 31 by knockouts, 13 by decisions, and three on fouls... He has four defeats charged against him. three by knockouts and one decision. He has fought one draw.

The Coshocton Tribune 2 Feb 1929

Max Schmelling, German Dempsey, Decisively Defeats Johnny Risko

NEW YORK, Feb. 2

It takes a great man to beat a very good man and Johnny Risko, with the heart of a lion and the Jaw of a gorilla, was as good as ever he was last night when, reeling and punch poisoned he was called out on, his feet after a minute and five seconds of the ninth round by a humane referee. Yes, John was good, very good, but Max Schmeling, the German, was so much better that he actually was greatness itself as he punched Risko until he was silly, leaving nothing Referee Arthur Donovan to do but award the Dempsey of the Deutschland’s what is said to be the first legitimate knockout ever scored at Risko's expense.

Four times he had Risko on the axminster and not another man in the ring today would have arisen from the second and third knockdowns which were perfect bull’s-eyes, but Risko has the chin of all chins and so he got up and fought back heroically. He still was striking out blindly at his tormentor with the fighting instinct of the true fighting man, although barely able to keep his feet, when the referee wisely decided that too much was a great plenty. He saved this amazingly brave man from an actual knockout since it was inevitable that even this glove swallower never was destined to see the tenth and final round.

The fight was nothing less than a ring masterpiece, a 'saga of glorious courage that filled the eye and gladdened the heart. Risko furnished much of this with his last game stand against the inevitable but it must be admitted that it was the great fighter and not the very good one who turned in the performance that sent the witnesses gibbering out into the night.

He did things in this fight that left not the slightest doubt of his greatness. No other kind of a fighter could have taken the mauling Risko gave him thru the third fourth, fifth and sixth rounds and then, with a single punch in the seventh, practically ruin a man like John for the remainder of the evening.

No other kind of a fighter, not even the old Dempsey, could have put a faster and neater finish to a man than Schmeling did in the ninth and last round. This was master workmanship, no less. The witnesses rushed the ringside when it was all over to babble incoherently about "the next champion of the world" and frankly, there was nothing that could be vouchsafed against it.

Incidentally, the young man knows something about keeping the old potato protected, as Risko discovered after casting five hundred rights and lefts at it thru the first seven rounds. John wasn't casting anything after that except possibly a weary eye at his corner. It was an epic sight to see this remarkable punch catcher being beaten down and even unbiased newspapermen were so carried out of their customary lethargy as to wave frantically at him to quit before he was badly hurt.

But there never was any quit in Johnny Risko and he didn't mean to begin last night. No less thrillingwas the picture of the cool, yet venomous Schmeling as he calculatingly made his "kill" businesslike He cut Risko down more rapidly than the writer ever has seen a fighter finished, except by a one punch knockout. And nobody scores that kind against Johnny Risko

Each of Schmeling s four knockdowns was scored with a different punch, proving that the man has both snap and variety to his hitting: John was more than holding his own in the eighth when the third knockdown came It came from aleft hook and a right cross to the chin, as beautifully timed as a swiss movement. They hung John in the air and then let him drop forward on his face. A glimpse of his face on the way down showed that he was out. But he didn't stay out. Shaking his head to clear it, he finally made the grade at nine and lasted to the belL I don't have to think about any other heavyweight getting up from this. I know he wouldn't.

Risko staggered on his way to the corner but came out fairly fresh for the ninth. In the first minute, however, he was clipped with a right hand that spun him around and left him groping dazedly with his back half turned to the enemy. He was in perfect position for a left hook and this smart German, never more impressive than now, began pumping lefts to the target with a rapidity and an accuracy that was amazing. John was forced to bend blindly under the storm and then Schmeling looped a right behind hisear and dropped him ,for another nine count. He lurched to his feet and weaved drunkenly to the other side of the ring. There he essayed to make his last desperate stand and was lashing out gamely toward an unseen foe when he reeled and all but fell from his own weakness That was enough for both fighter and referee.

If there was any fault to be found with Schmeling last night, it was his seeming inability to,handle a fighter that persisted in staying on top of him. It was thru this system that John carried the fourth, fifth and sixth and was well out in front when the lightning struck.

But that's one thing about lightning and punches. They will strike.

Moorhead Daily News 16 July 1931

In one of the most sensational finishes seen in a heavyweight championship fight in many years. Max Schmeling knocked out Young Stribling in the 15th round, with less than 20 seconds to go. From the beginning of the sixth round, when Joe Jacobs sent Max out with the warning: "You've got to fight—it looks bad,"

It was Schmeling's fight all the way except in spots here and there. In the mere matter of landing blows Stribling scored well enough, but his hardest and most perfectly placed smashes on chin and body had no effect at all on the man of iron from Germany. Nothing seemed to hurt Max. He was hit by enough to knock out a dozen ordinary men, and his knees never shook. He was socked on the point of the chin with vicious uppercuts, and he grinned. The grin increased as the fight went on.

The finish in the 15th round followed such a desperate attempt by Stribling from the 10th round on not only to stay on his feet but to win with one last furious blow that the Georgian's gameness will never be questioned. He gave everything he had but life itself, and it was not enough.

Missed Blows

For four rounds Stribling had been barely lasting through to a desperate finish. He was so tired that he missed many blows, but now and then he gathered for a furious effort and sent his gloves whizzing to the mark with a force that brought yells from the crowd.

It was evident to 40,000 spectators in the huge stadium that Stribling was intent on lasting to the limit, using all the skill he had and yet was trying every moment to get over the decisive blow that was no longer in his weary muscles. Even his legs were going slow. When he went into Schmeling he leaned up against him. He was so weary that he was ready to drop, but still he fought on. His mouth and nose were bleeding, his eyes half closed and eyebrows slashed by the German's gloves. But his blue eyes still stared steadily and grimly through the red mist.

Schmeling was perfectly fresh. He might have been starting the first round, but for a half closed left eye. He danced around on his toes. He kept advancing with quick little steps. Just as he had advanced round after round from the beginning of the fight.

Rips Uppercut

Stribling missed several blows as that last round started. Then he ripped an uppercut to Schmeling's chin that should have shaken him to his heels. Again a desperate right uppercut. And it did no good at all. Didn't even push the German back or stop his little dancing steps. Stribling ripped a left hook into Schmeling's belly and fell up against him. clinching. There had been almost no clinching in the fight, and thus was only a second or two.

Max jabbed two little dabbing jabs at Stribling's face. Stribling wasn't even pulling his head back now. Blood was smeared all over him. His face was a mask of blood. Stribling, desperate, swung a terrific right uppercut. At least it looked terrific. It nearly lifted Max from his feet. Schmeling, with a savage grunt, hooked his left to Stribling's jaw. Stribling staggered and reeled back his legs crossing so that he nearly fell. But he reeled back again and tried another uppercut. Max drove him away with a jab and followed, as he had followed round after round, like a big cat. Stribling staggered and threw his right with every ounce he had left, at Schmelings jaw. It missed. As Willie half turned Max shot that short right to hit jaw, grunting again , shot it with a sudden fury, leaping forward on his toes. The blow caught Stribling flush and hurled him backward through the air. He half twisted as he fell. His head banged against the lower rope in his own corner and he sprawled there on his face.

It was the first knockdown in the fight — and a terrific knockdown. No one thought Stribling would ever get up from that crashing fall. He rolled and rocked on the floor, crawled to his knees, came rocking to his feet.

Hesitates

There must be some mercy in Schmeling for all his grinning. For a single instant he seemed to hesitate, unwilling to hit again. Stribling lurched forward and tried to strike. Max clipped him Strib's rubber mouth guard flew through the air. His head wobbled and he reeled back into the ropes, hands down. Again Strib lurched forward, blue eyes steadily fixed on Schmeling, but hands dangling at his sides.

George Blake stepped between and held up Schmeling's hand. It might have been murder for the iron man to strike another blow. Stribling stood still as if stunned by the ending of his hopes. The German, laughing, picked him up with both arms around his waist and started to carry him to his corner. But Pa Stribling was in the ring. Max turned Willie over to his dad. The timekeeper announced the time. "Technical knockout—two minutes and forty seconds of the 15th round."

20 Seconds to Go

Only 20 seconds to go. Willie Stribling, who had fought 292 fights and knocked out 127 men, had been knocked out himself for the first time in his life. He stood there and you could see this thought struggling through his dazed mind turned and held out his hand to the champion.

It was not all Schmeling, even if he didn't take a backward step in the whole fight. Not all Schmeling if he did move forward through round after round, crouching like a big cat about to leap. Stribling, while his strength lasted, put his mark on the Iron champion. In the first round Stribling was a master boxer. He made Schmeling miss, and he jabbed and hooked and uppercut him. Near the end of the round he partly closed Max's left eye with a wicked right hook. Stribling had the first, the second and third rounds, with a big lead. In the third he stagger:ed Max with a ripping right on the jaw and outboxed him all the way.

The fourth was even and desperately fought. There was no holding, no wrestling, no stalling. The fifth was hard fought and even. Stribling hit Max with everything, and it didn't do a bit of good. The man of iron ate punishment. He took it with a smile. Sometimes the smile looked a bit theatrical. But perhaps it was real. Still Stribling had taken a big lead and was holding it. Then in the sixth Schmeling really began to fight. He drove Willie back with hard right hand smashes to the jaw. He really began the fight. He followed like a big cat. Stribling was forced to back away continually, but he backed away fighting. In the seventh Stribling was bleeding from nose and mouth and his eyes were rimmed in blood smeared there by Schmeling's gloves. Still he was fighting steadily.

It was in the eighth round that the tide of the fight definitely turned. Stribling began to look tired. His legs were as good as ever, but his arms were weak. Schmeling was much stronger. Although the boy from Georgia fought with desperation he was forced to take more and more punishment.

Schmeling had learned how to block nearly all of Stribling's blows. He kept his right glove high and picked them off. In the last half minute of that round Stribling cut loose with a wild, reckless rally, rocking Schmeling with rights and smashes on the jaw. The crowd, hoping in spite of all that one of these blows might make an American champion, rose from its seats and shook the stands with wild yells. And Stribling took the ninth round. But it was his last time to be in front.

In the 10th he was punched badly, cut and bruised, his mouth out of shape, his eyes glinting blue through lakes of red. He was very tired and looked weak. There was nothing in his punch to hold Schmeling back. Now and again he held for a moment to let go when Blake ordered a break. He pushed Schmeling into the ropes and tried to tie his hands, fairly falling against him in weakness.

The champion laughed when Stribling's gloves landed on him. There was no hurt in them now. Max was fresher in each round, and more eager. He tried furiously for a knockout. The only wonder was that Stribling stayed on his feet. Willie was missing through sheer weakness, falling forward out of position, clutching to stop the blows that come flailing back at him.

It will take a tough man to beat this German champion. There isn't a man in sight, at this time, who can turn the trick. He may not be great in the training quarters, but he's great in a fight.

Best Since Rickard

It was a good fight, and as a spectacle the best since Rickard's time. The big stadium was only half filled, and the gate receipts announced after the bout ran only to $335,000 net. But as a spectacle it was hard to beat.