Max Schmeling was heavyweight champion of the world and the first man to KO Joe Louis. He fought Joe Louis, Jack Sharkey, Max Baer and Johnny Risko - American fighters who dominated the sport of Boxing in the middle years of the twentieth century. He held the German, European light heavyweight titles, and was later crowned Heavyweight Champion of the World. His megafights sold out the Yankees Stadium to the tune of 80,000 fans.
A favourite of Germany's artistic society, he was later used by Hitler and the Third Reich as a propaganda hero - despite himself never being a part of the Nazi Party and opposing racism and bigotry in his private life.
He socialised with some of the most important figures of the twentieth century including Roosevelt, Al Capone, and Marlene Dietrich. He fought at the Battle of Crete as a German Paratrooper in World War Two. At the height of Nazi persecution, he saved two young Jewish boys by hiding them in his own house.
When he died at 99, he was the oldest living ex heavyweight champion in history.
Негізгі бет The Incredible Life of Max Schmeling: Fighter, Soldier, Film star - Icon of Twentieth Century Boxing
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