Max Schmeling was a German heavyweight boxer and world champion from 1930 to 1932. His record was 56 wins in 70 fights with 10 defeats and 4 draws. Max Schmeling was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

However, Schmeling’s most famous fight was not about a world championship. On 19 June 1936, he fought at Yankee Stadium in New York against the legendary Joe Louis, who was considered unbeatable at that time with 27 victories in 27 fights. But he was not yet world champion. Schmeling was able to defeat Louis by knocking him out in the twelfth round. Schmeling lost the rematch on 22 June 1938 in New York by first round knockout.