This Month In Boxing History: Joe Louis vs. Tommy Farr

72 years ago this month, the world championship career of arguably the greatest heavyweight in history began.

The "Brown Bomber", Joe Louis, aged 23, had just defeated James J Braddock and had become the first black man since Jack Johnson thirty years previously to win the richest prize in sport.

Joe's first defence would come just two months after his title win when he would face a gritty British challenger in Tommy Farr.

Farr from Tonypandy, Wales, was one year younger than Louis and had been a pro since 1926. Initially a light heavyweight, Farr would go on and challenge for domestic honours in his native Wales, winning the Welsh Title in 1933. He would also repeat this feat in the heavyweight division, winning both the Welsh and British titles.

At the start of 1937, the World Heavyweight Champion was James J Braddock. As an underdog in 1935, "The Cinderella Man" had outsmarted the heavy betting favourite Max Baer over 15 rounds to become the surprise champion. That same Baer later in 1935 would also be dismantled in four rounds... Full Boxing Article here...