Summary: In the 1930s, Joe Louis crossed boxing's color line to become an American hero. He was the first heavyweight contender since the controversial Jack Johnson held the title in the early part of the century. In his quest to win the heavyweight championship, Louis entered the ring against Hitler's favorite boxer, Max Schmeling. His success would make him the most famous and influential black person in America. http://www.pbs.org/amex/fight Voices: Jeffrey Sammons, historian Don Majeski, boxing promoter Jack Newfield, writer Leon Litwack, historian Vernon Jarrett, writer Miles Neff, podcast narration Produced by: Ravi Jain Director of New Media: Maria Daniels American Experience is produced by WGBH Boston. Major funding for American Experience is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Major corporate funding is provided by Liberty Mutual. Additional funding is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and by public television viewers.
