Max Schmeling RIP

jofre · 02-04-2005, 10:51 AM

Sad news to report!
================================================== ===============
German boxing legend Schmeling dies at 99
German heavyweight boxer Max Schmeling, whose bouts against American Joe Louis set off a propaganda war between the Nazi regime and the United States on the eve of World War II, has died at age 99.

Associated Press
- BERLIN -- German heavyweight boxer Max Schmeling, whose bouts against American Joe Louis set off a propaganda war between the Nazi regime and the United States on the eve of World War II, has died at age 99.

The former world champion, one of Germany's biggest sports idols, died Wednesday at his home in Hollenstedt, according to his foundation in Hamburg. No cause of death was given.

Schmeling was buried Friday in a ceremony attended by a small circle of friends, the foundation said. It did not say where the funeral took place.

Schmeling's extraordinary career will be remembered for his two fights with Louis, which produced a lasting bond between the two boxers despite the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the bouts.

Born Sept. 28, 1905, of humble origins in a small town in the state of Brandenburg, Schmeling first got interested in boxing after seeing a film about the sport.

He became the first German -- and European -- heavyweight world champion when he beat Jack Sharkey in New York on June 12, 1930, after the American was disqualified for a fourth-round low blow.

Schmeling lost his title to Sharkey two years later on a disputed decision, but came back to knock out the previously unbeaten Louis in the 12th round on June 19, 1936, which the Nazi regime trumpeted as a sign of "Aryan supremacy."

Schmeling came into the fight as a 10-1 underdog, and his victory is considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

But, in a rematch at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938, Louis knocked Schmeling out in the first round to retain the world title.

Schmeling, originally popular in the United States, was viewed as a symbol of the Nazis and the growing antipathy between the countries when the rematch took place.

The fight was portrayed as the battle of evil against good, with the Nazis looking to project Schmeling as an Aryan Superman.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt invited Louis to the White House to exhort the black boxer to beat Schmeling.

Louis, then the champion, sent the German challenger to the canvas four times and knocked him out in 2 minutes, 4 seconds.

"Looking back, I'm almost happy I lost that fight," Schmeling said in 1975. "Just imagine if I would have come back to Germany with a victory. I had nothing to do with the Nazis, but they would have given me a medal. After the war I might have been considered a war criminal."

After the loss, the Nazis distanced themselves from Schmeling. In 1940, he was drafted into the military as a parachutist. A year later, he was severely injured and hospitalized for months.

Despite the portrayal of him in the United States as a tool of the Nazis, Schmeling had run-ins with the regime even before the first fight with Louis.

Although he had lunched with Hitler and had long discussions with propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, Schmeling angered the Nazi bosses in 1935 by refusing to join the Nazi party, fire his Jewish American manager, Joe Jacobs, and divorce his Czech-born wife, Anny Ondra, a film star.

During the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Schmeling extracted a promise from Hitler that all U.S. athletes would be protected.

He hid two Jewish boys in his Berlin apartment during the 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom, when the Nazis burned books in a central square and rampaged through the city, setting synagogues on fire.

Reportedly, Schmeling also used his influence to save Jewish friends from concentration camps.

After the war, Schmeling was nearly destitute and fought five more times for the money. He retired after a 10-round loss to Walter Neusel in 1948 at age 43 with a record of 56-10-4 with 39 knockouts.

Schmeling used the money from the bouts to buy the license to the Coca-Cola franchise in Germany and grew wealthy in the postwar era. He also marketed his name, retaining his huge popularity with his countrymen despite his problems with the Nazis.

Schmeling remained married to Anny Ondra for 54 years until she died in 1987. The two, who met on the set of a film Schmeling appeared in, married in 1932.

"I had a happy marriage and a nice wife. I accomplished everything you can. What more can you want?" Schmeling said in 1985.

Over the years, Schmeling treasured his friendship with Louis and quietly gave the down-and-out American gifts of money. He also paid for Louis' funeral in 1981.

In his final years, Schmeling spent three or four hours a day watching television in his home. He attributed his long life to his happy marriage. The couple had no children.

Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

02-04-2005, 11:29 AM

I wasn't aware of Schmeling's personal life - interesting. He was a classy fighter, no doubt.

One thing I always wondered about. How could such a complete fighter as Schmeling have gotten KO'd by a one-dimensional Max Baer? If Schmeling had beaten Baer, Schmeling would have fought Carnera and would have been the heavyweight champ again. Is there any indication that Schmeling threw the fight to Baer?

thespy · 02-04-2005, 11:43 AM

Schmeling was definitely cut from quality cloth.

Boxingnut · 02-04-2005, 01:50 PM

This is very sad news. He was a great fighter and a great man. May he rest in peace.

Fallschirmjager · 02-04-2005, 03:29 PM

Sad news

Getting a decent amount of press here.

IceTea · 02-04-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60'sfan

I wasn't aware of Schmeling's personal life - interesting. He was a classy fighter, no doubt.

One thing I always wondered about. How could such a complete fighter as Schmeling have gotten KO'd by a one-dimensional Max Baer? If Schmeling had beaten Baer, Schmeling would have fought Carnera and would have been the heavyweight champ again. Is there any indication that Schmeling threw the fight to Baer?

Max Bear actually trained hard and took Schmeling seriously, plus, Bear had great punching power. Though Schmeling wouldn't join the Nazi party and had nothing good to say about Hitler, Bear was jewish.

MJ

IceTea · 02-04-2005, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thespy

Schmeling was definitely cut from quality cloth.

I think he attended the Boxing Hall of Fame inductions a few years back. I'm going there tomorrow, so I'll ask Mr. Brophy and respond to this thread.

MJ

shane6969 · 02-04-2005, 04:23 PM

May "The Balck Uhlan" rest in peace.

bear · 02-04-2005, 05:12 PM

I am saddened by his death. I had heard that after his last birthday he was joshing around with reporters telling them he was in serious training to make his 100th. McClarnin a short time ago, and now the Black Uhlan. It'll be a while before we see guys cut from their bolt of cloth. Champions and class acts. Too many guys today switch one of those consonants in "class" to an "r".

Bear

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane6969

May "The Balck Uhlan" rest in peace.

awhicks · 02-04-2005, 07:16 PM

Schmeling was a classy fighter, and man, who has never gotten the credit he deserves. He lost the rematch to Sharkey by a bad decision and was cheated out of a shot at the title after his defeat of Louis. He would certainly have beaten Braddock and become the first man to regain the title. His destruction at the hands of Baer can be attributed to two things. First, as one has noted, Baer took the fight seriously. Baer had Foreman-like power and could be devastating when he was serious. Secondly, by Schmeling's admission, he just could not get anything together in that fight. Max hung in there bravely and took some tremendous shots from the hardpunching Baer before succumbing.

Schmeling was a man of character and showed courage in standing up to Hitler and in his rebuilding of his life after WWII. Schmeling's autobiography is available on Amazon.com and I'd highly recommend it.

mking55 · 02-04-2005, 07:17 PM

It is always good to be reminded of a man who in a time of madness refused to run with the crazies, and did what he could to help those who were totally dependant on the kindness of others.

He said he feared only one thing in a long life that ended Wednesday at the age of 99. "I don't want anyone to say I was a good athlete, but worth nothing as a human being - I couldn't bear that," Schmeling said in 1993.

In reading the tributes it seems he had nothing to fear. The man came first, the boxer second.

Which one of us would not like to be remembered as a human being, like Max Schmeling.

wireman · 02-04-2005, 07:49 PM

Sorry to hear about this. Schmeling was a good fighter, good fellow.

wildhawke11 · 02-05-2005, 07:19 PM

The sad thing is when anyone thinks of Schmeling there first thought is the destruction of him by Joe Louis in there second fight. Max deserves so much more then that.
I agree with our poster Awicks, most feel he did get robbed in his rematch with Jack Sharkey and was cheated of the chance to fight Braddock for the title.That was a disgrace in itself as the contracts had been signed.

Still Max came through and proved himself a class act, both as a fighter and a human being. Your country can be proud of you.
Rest In Peace Old Warrior

erickdamac · 02-05-2005, 09:55 PM

yes forevey in my life when i think of him i will see him fallingall over the ring lmao, this is not to make fun of him but its boxing like when ever i think of tyson i will see him eating evander ear, and with hagler i will see him dancing in the ring acting a fool before the winner was anounced between him and leonard. Its boxing, i can't be sad because he was old and lived his life, im happy now that he can join his wife who he missed since 1987.

02-04-2005, 10:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
jofre All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,545	Max Schmeling RIP Sad news to report! ================================================== =============== German boxing legend Schmeling dies at 99 German heavyweight boxer Max Schmeling, whose bouts against American Joe Louis set off a propaganda war between the Nazi regime and the United States on the eve of World War II, has died at age 99. Associated Press - BERLIN -- German heavyweight boxer Max Schmeling, whose bouts against American Joe Louis set off a propaganda war between the Nazi regime and the United States on the eve of World War II, has died at age 99. The former world champion, one of Germany's biggest sports idols, died Wednesday at his home in Hollenstedt, according to his foundation in Hamburg. No cause of death was given. Schmeling was buried Friday in a ceremony attended by a small circle of friends, the foundation said. It did not say where the funeral took place. Schmeling's extraordinary career will be remembered for his two fights with Louis, which produced a lasting bond between the two boxers despite the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the bouts. Born Sept. 28, 1905, of humble origins in a small town in the state of Brandenburg, Schmeling first got interested in boxing after seeing a film about the sport. He became the first German -- and European -- heavyweight world champion when he beat Jack Sharkey in New York on June 12, 1930, after the American was disqualified for a fourth-round low blow. Schmeling lost his title to Sharkey two years later on a disputed decision, but came back to knock out the previously unbeaten Louis in the 12th round on June 19, 1936, which the Nazi regime trumpeted as a sign of "Aryan supremacy." Schmeling came into the fight as a 10-1 underdog, and his victory is considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. But, in a rematch at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938, Louis knocked Schmeling out in the first round to retain the world title. Schmeling, originally popular in the United States, was viewed as a symbol of the Nazis and the growing antipathy between the countries when the rematch took place. The fight was portrayed as the battle of evil against good, with the Nazis looking to project Schmeling as an Aryan Superman. President Franklin D. Roosevelt invited Louis to the White House to exhort the black boxer to beat Schmeling. Louis, then the champion, sent the German challenger to the canvas four times and knocked him out in 2 minutes, 4 seconds. "Looking back, I'm almost happy I lost that fight," Schmeling said in 1975. "Just imagine if I would have come back to Germany with a victory. I had nothing to do with the Nazis, but they would have given me a medal. After the war I might have been considered a war criminal." After the loss, the Nazis distanced themselves from Schmeling. In 1940, he was drafted into the military as a parachutist. A year later, he was severely injured and hospitalized for months. Despite the portrayal of him in the United States as a tool of the Nazis, Schmeling had run-ins with the regime even before the first fight with Louis. Although he had lunched with Hitler and had long discussions with propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, Schmeling angered the Nazi bosses in 1935 by refusing to join the Nazi party, fire his Jewish American manager, Joe Jacobs, and divorce his Czech-born wife, Anny Ondra, a film star. During the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Schmeling extracted a promise from Hitler that all U.S. athletes would be protected. He hid two Jewish boys in his Berlin apartment during the 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom, when the Nazis burned books in a central square and rampaged through the city, setting synagogues on fire. Reportedly, Schmeling also used his influence to save Jewish friends from concentration camps. After the war, Schmeling was nearly destitute and fought five more times for the money. He retired after a 10-round loss to Walter Neusel in 1948 at age 43 with a record of 56-10-4 with 39 knockouts. Schmeling used the money from the bouts to buy the license to the Coca-Cola franchise in Germany and grew wealthy in the postwar era. He also marketed his name, retaining his huge popularity with his countrymen despite his problems with the Nazis. Schmeling remained married to Anny Ondra for 54 years until she died in 1987. The two, who met on the set of a film Schmeling appeared in, married in 1932. "I had a happy marriage and a nice wife. I accomplished everything you can. What more can you want?" Schmeling said in 1985. Over the years, Schmeling treasured his friendship with Louis and quietly gave the down-and-out American gifts of money. He also paid for Louis' funeral in 1981. In his final years, Schmeling spent three or four hours a day watching television in his home. He attributed his long life to his happy marriage. The couple had no children. Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures __________________ jofre

02-04-2005, 03:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fallschirmjager Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hamburg, Germany Posts: 4,017	Sad news Getting a decent amount of press here. __________________

02-04-2005, 04:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
shane6969 All Star Reserve Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 937	May "The Balck Uhlan" rest in peace. __________________ Hatred is an acid that corrodes the soul

02-04-2005, 07:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
awhicks Bat Boy Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4	Max Schmeling's Death Schmeling was a classy fighter, and man, who has never gotten the credit he deserves. He lost the rematch to Sharkey by a bad decision and was cheated out of a shot at the title after his defeat of Louis. He would certainly have beaten Braddock and become the first man to regain the title. His destruction at the hands of Baer can be attributed to two things. First, as one has noted, Baer took the fight seriously. Baer had Foreman-like power and could be devastating when he was serious. Secondly, by Schmeling's admission, he just could not get anything together in that fight. Max hung in there bravely and took some tremendous shots from the hardpunching Baer before succumbing. Schmeling was a man of character and showed courage in standing up to Hitler and in his rebuilding of his life after WWII. Schmeling's autobiography is available on Amazon.com and I'd highly recommend it.

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02-04-2005, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
60'sfan Posts: n/a	I wasn't aware of Schmeling's personal life - interesting. He was a classy fighter, no doubt. One thing I always wondered about. How could such a complete fighter as Schmeling have gotten KO'd by a one-dimensional Max Baer? If Schmeling had beaten Baer, Schmeling would have fought Carnera and would have been the heavyweight champ again. Is there any indication that Schmeling threw the fight to Baer?

02-04-2005, 11:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
thespy Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11	Schmeling was definitely cut from quality cloth.

02-04-2005, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Boxingnut Major Leagues Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 372	This is very sad news. He was a great fighter and a great man. May he rest in peace.

02-04-2005, 07:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
mking55 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 703	It is always good to be reminded of a man who in a time of madness refused to run with the crazies, and did what he could to help those who were totally dependant on the kindness of others. He said he feared only one thing in a long life that ended Wednesday at the age of 99. "I don't want anyone to say I was a good athlete, but worth nothing as a human being - I couldn't bear that," Schmeling said in 1993. In reading the tributes it seems he had nothing to fear. The man came first, the boxer second. Which one of us would not like to be remembered as a human being, like Max Schmeling.

02-04-2005, 07:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
wireman All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: in a REM state Posts: 600	Sorry to hear about this. Schmeling was a good fighter, good fellow.

02-05-2005, 07:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
wildhawke11 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: united kingdom Posts: 1,834	The sad thing is when anyone thinks of Schmeling there first thought is the destruction of him by Joe Louis in there second fight. Max deserves so much more then that. I agree with our poster Awicks, most feel he did get robbed in his rematch with Jack Sharkey and was cheated of the chance to fight Braddock for the title.That was a disgrace in itself as the contracts had been signed. Still Max came through and proved himself a class act, both as a fighter and a human being. Your country can be proud of you. Rest In Peace Old Warrior

02-05-2005, 09:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
erickdamac All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,592	yes forevey in my life when i think of him i will see him fallingall over the ring lmao, this is not to make fun of him but its boxing like when ever i think of tyson i will see him eating evander ear, and with hagler i will see him dancing in the ring acting a fool before the winner was anounced between him and leonard. Its boxing, i can't be sad because he was old and lived his life, im happy now that he can join his wife who he missed since 1987.