Date: August 1937

Cover: Joe Louis (illustration by C.R. Schaare)

What’s So Important About This Issue? On the eve of his heavyweight title challenge of Jim Braddock, “The Brown Bomber” became the first black fighter to grace the cover solo—and it would prove one of the most memorable covers in the magazine’s history thanks to the brown fighter plane dropping bombs in the background. The 31 covers Louis appeared on in the ’30s and ’40s made him by far the leader over that span, and this was probably his most noteworthy.

Lead Story: With the Louis-Braddock bout looming, Hype Igoe took a look at “The Schmeling-Braddock Aftermath,” detailing the fallout from Braddock’s decision not to defend the heavyweight crown against top contender Max Schmeling. The New York State Athletic Commission fined Braddock $1,000 for his avoidance of the German, and Louis then agreed to defend his title against Schmeling if he bested Braddock. Or, as Igoe put it, “Joe Louis dropped right out of the heavens with a keg of oil under each arm to appease the troubled waters.”

Also In This Issue: “Winning Punches Of Heavyweight Champions” by The Veteran … “Bob Pastor’s Rise” by Ted Carroll … “Humor In The Ring” by William J. McNulty … “The British Comeback” by Robert Edgren.

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