Max Schmeling

For the 2010 German film, see Max Schmeling (film).

Max Schmeling
Max Schmeling in 1936
Statistics
Real name	Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling
Nickname(s)	Black Uhlan of the Rhine
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Reach	193 cm (76 in)
Nationality	German
Born	September 28, 1905(1905-09-28)
Died	February 2, 2005(2005-02-02) (aged 99) Wenzendorf, Germany
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	70
Wins	56
Wins by KO	40
Losses	10
Draws	4
No contests	0

Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling (September 28, 1905 – February 2, 2005) was a German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing, and became worldwide social events because of their national associations. He was ranked 55 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

While Schmeling cooperated with the German government's efforts to play down the increasingly negative international world view of its domestic policies during the 1930s, he was not a member of the Nazi party. In fact, it became known long after the Second World War that Schmeling had risked his own life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938.^[1]

During World War II, Schmeling served with the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as an elite paratrooper (Fallschirmjäger).^[2]

Biography

In the USA, he was routinely cast by promoters as the cold-hearted, villainous invader, a puppet of Hitler and a hater of Jews. In Germany, Nazi propagandists portrayed him as a heroic symbol of German destiny and Aryan supremacy. Max Schmeling was none of these things. He was a quality prizefighter with respectable boxing technique, a solid right hand punch, and a keen intellect. The clash of politics, ideals, and countries that often symbolically accompanied his biggest fights only took place within the minds of the audience; they had nothing to do with what happened in the ring. Instead of being respected for his many accomplishments in the ring, he spent much of his life derided in the USA as a Nazi and dismissed in Germany as a disappointment. It was only in his later life that his status as a fighter, divorced from his cultural symbolism, could be clearly analyzed.

Early years

Schmeling first became acquainted with boxing as a teenager, when his father took him to watch film of the heavyweight championship match between Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier. Impressed with Dempsey's performance in that fight, young Schmeling became determined to imitate his new hero. He began boxing in amateur competitions and, by 1924, won Germany's national amateur title in the light heavyweight division. Shortly thereafter, he turned professional. Ironically, though he idolized the raging, brawling Dempsey, Schmeling developed a careful, scientific style of fighting that lent itself more to counterpunching. Using this style, he got off to an impressive - though hardly sensational - start by winning seventeen of his first twenty-three bouts, thirteen by knockout. In 1925, he had the thrill of getting into the ring with Dempsey himself, who was then still heavyweight champion of the world, and was touring Europe. Dempsey boxed for two rounds with the then unknown German and, according to a story later told by Schmeling, was greatly impressed. He proved Dempsey's praises correct on August 24, 1926, when picking up the German light heavyweight championship with a first round knockout of rival Max Diekmann, who had previously beaten Schmeling. The next year, Schmeling won the European championship by stopping Fernand Delarge in the first boxing match broadcast live in Germany. After defending both titles against Hein Domgoergen the same year and, in 1928, the European Title with a first round knockout of Michele Bonaglia, he secured the German heavyweight championship with a point victory against Franz Diener, and decided to chase bigger fights and bigger purses in the United States.

Arriving in New York City for the first time in 1928, Schmeling was hardly noticed by the American fight circles. Considered a stiff European fighter who had padded his record against German and European unknowns, he was given few opportunities to prove himself until he hooked up with American manager Joe Jacobs, a man with the proper talents and connections to move Schmeling's career along a positive path. Schmeling's debut in America took place at Madison Square Garden with an eighth round knockout of Joe Monte, who was not a top flight heavyweight but nonetheless a young American who had been in with some tough competition. Two more victories led to a fight with Johnny Risko, one of the biggest names in the division, though somewhat beyond his prime. On February 1, 1929, Schmeling floored Risko four times with his right hand before the referee halted the contest in the ninth round to save Risko from further punishment. The surprised crowd in attendance roared with appreciation and The Ring magazine subsequently recognized the win as its 'Fight of the Year.'

The "Low Blow Champion"

Boxing pundits were quickly changing their opinions of the German. When he defeated the highly-regarded Spaniard Paulino Uzcudun via a fifteen-round decision at Yankee Stadium later that year, Schmeling was suddenly regarded as the foremost young contender in the division. With the Heavyweight World Champion Gene Tunney having recently retired, promoters arranged a matchup between the German and veteran contender Jack Sharkey to fill the vacancy. On June 12, 1930, at Yankee Stadium, in a fight billed as the 'Battle of the Continents,' Schmeling, known as a slow starter, fell slightly behind on points going into the fourth round. Schmeling was trying to corner his opponent when Sharkey let loose with a blow to the body which strayed below the belt line. He immediately clutched his groin and fell to the canvas, claiming to have been fouled. When manager Jacobs ran into the ring, prompting all kinds of chaos, the confused referee disqualified Sharkey and declared Schmeling the victor and the first (and only) man to win the heavyweight championship on a foul. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), reviewing the call, agreed.

The first European-born boxer to win the heavyweight championship in thirty-three years, Schmeling was also the first from Germany to hold the distinction. Still, the way in which he won the title proved an embarrassment. Called the 'low blow champion,' he was disparaged in both America and Europe as an unproven titleholder. When he initially refused to face Sharkey in a rematch, the NYSAC officially stripped him of their recognition as world champion, but he remained recognized by both the National Boxing Association (NBA) and The Ring magazine. Most of the criticism faded after Schmeling's first defense, an impressive fifteen round TKO over Young Stribling, a future hall-of-famer with 239 wins to his credit by 1931. In order to solidify his title as undisputed, Schmeling signed a contract to face the "Boston Gob" once more. On June 21, 1932, the championship picture became even more muddled when Sharkey won a highly controversial split decision, taking the championship. Many in attendance, including Gene Tunney and the mayor of New York, felt that Schmeling had proven himself the better man and was robbed. In losing the championship, the German had managed to elevate his reputation in the minds of boxing fans.

Walker and Baer

When Schmeling faced Mickey Walker, the future hall-of-famer who had recently held Sharkey to a draw that many felt Walker deserved, it was thought that this fight was for the real heavyweight championship. Walker, a former welterweight, was a popular slugger who had won championships in two divisions but was at a considerable size disadvantage against the European. Though Walker fought bravely and took the lead on points early in the fight, Schmeling showed both boxing ability and punching power in dealing out a terrific beating as the fight progressed. After eight exciting rounds, Walker's corner threw in the towel, confirming Schmeling's status as the leading heavyweight in the world.

With the coming of 1933, however, Schmeling's image in America began to take a decided turn. In 1932, the Nazi Party became the most powerful political force in Germany, and its ideologies, voiced by party leader Adolf Hitler, overflowed with anti-Semitic tendencies. Major American cities such as New York had large Jewish populations, who worried over what the party could mean for people of their religion in the future. Schmeling, because he was German, was viewed as an extension of Hitler's plans for world domination. When Schmeling was slated to fight heavy-hitting contender Max Baer on June 8, 1933, he immediately became the 'bad guy' in the eyes of fans. Baer, who did not practice the Jewish religion but had a Jewish father, came into the ring wearing the Star of David on his shorts. Promoter Jack Dempsey played up this angle and suddenly the fight was viewed as Baer defending his faith against the prejudice of the Nazis, represented reluctantly by Schmeling. Thrown off of his game in part by the bad publicity, but also because of Baer's wild, brawling style and frequent fouls (including backhand punches and rabbit punches), Schmeling was positively thrashed after ten rounds before nearly 60,000 onlookers at Yankee Stadium. While the German took a vicious battering against the ropes in the tenth, the referee leapt in to stop the fight. The embarrassing fight, combined with a follow-up loss to contender Steve Hamas early the next year, left many wondering if Schmeling was still a world top-class fighter.

Dismantling the Bomber

Returning to his native Germany, Schmeling won three of his next four fights, with one draw, including knockout wins over first Walter Neusel, then another redeeming his previous loss to Steve Hamas. His opponents were of an impressive caliber, but many among the American press and fans remained unmoved on the idea of rooting for Schmeling in light of the Nazi Party's behavior. Articles continued to be published declaring the German 'washed up,' a 'has been,' or a 'Nazi puppet.' When he was matched with undefeated African-American sensation Joe Louis in 1936 for the German's first fight on American soil in more than two years, he was clearly the betting underdog, considered a name opponent for Louis to roll over on his route to the title. Nevertheless, he was number two contender for the title behind Louis. Prior to the match, Schmeling carefully studied films of Louis's prior fights, dissecting apparent flaws in the Detroit fighter's technique. Among the weaknesses he noticed was the fact that Louis lowered his left hand after throwing a left jab. In the ring, Schmeling exploited this subtle flaw to his own advantage, countering nearly every Louis jab with his best punch, the right cross. The fight proved to be a competitive, hard-hitting affair for the first three rounds, but, in the fourth, a counter right from the German dropped Louis for the first time in his career. Though Louis rose, he was badly dazed for the remainder of the fight and Schmeling subsequently delivered the finest performance of his career. For a further eight rounds he battered Louis, often standing toe-to-toe with the vaunted puncher and landing that same right hand to the jaw repeatedly. In the twelfth he sent the American tumbling to the floor once more, and this time Louis could not recover. He was counted out on the floor and Schmeling had scored the most talked-about sports upset of the year.

Now the unexpected number one contender for the heavyweight crown held by Jim Braddock, Schmeling looked forward to his chance to regain the title as first Heavyweight ever, scheduled for that September. The fight was postponed, however, when Braddock injured his hand in training. Rumors existed that the fight's organizers were stalling, afraid of the negative publicity that would be generated over a perceived Nazi getting a shot at the world's title. When it was confirmed that Braddock's managers were in talks with the Louis camp, the New York Commission officially released an order for Braddock to fight Schmeling for the title. Any other fight, with Louis or otherwise, would not be recognized by New York as being for the championship. The Madison Square Garden Corporation, the largest promotional company in the sport at the time, even attempted to get a legal injunction against a Braddock-Louis fight (Louis was not on their roster). Nonetheless, in February in 1937, Schmeling received the bad news that the champion had indeed signed to defend his championship against Louis. A furious Schmeling protested, but to no avail, and he was forced to watch from ringside as Louis knocked Braddock out and gained the championship. Sorely disappointed and convinced that he would never receive his chance at redemption, Schmeling fought just once more in America, an eighth round knockout of future contender Harry Thomas, before returning to Germany. In his native land, Schmeling was regarded as a hero and promoted by the Nazi propaganda machine as a perfect example of German supremacy over the rest of the world by virtue of his stunning defeat of the current champion, Louis. The government ordered parades and rallies in his honor. He became a friend to Hitler and other powerful figures in the government and also a popular subject of newspaper articles and films. He continued to press for a chance at a rematch with Louis and in the meantime padded his record against overmatched fighters Ben Foord and Steve Dudas.

"Battle of the Century"

In 1938, champion Joe Louis announced that he would indeed face Schmeling for the title. The rematch became an instant international sensation. Many clamored impatiently for its happening, but others, afraid of international tensions and the possibility of Hitler taking over the championship, protested. The controversy and ballyhoo led to the event becoming the most anticipated boxing match since the rematch between Dempsey and Gene Tunney, or possibly earlier. Louis, with his poor, African-American roots was adopted by American fans as the symbol of America as a land of opportunity. In contrast, Americans perceived Schmeling and his ties to Hitler as an obvious threat to those opportunities and ideals. When the German walked to the ring at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1938, he did so under a hail of garbage thrown from the stands. Louis came out blazing in the first round and Schmeling tried to counter-punch as he had in the first bout, but to no avail. Driven into the ropes and battered with a fusillade of short, crisp blows from every angle, Schmeling turned his back to his opponent and clutched onto the ropes, letting out a scream that even years later, many spectators could recall vividly. Schmeling would later say that he screamed because he had been hit with a blow to the kidneys. Schmeling's knees buckled under the punishment and referee Arthur Donovan pushed Louis away, beginning a count on Schmeling. Schmeling reluctantly stepped away from the ropes and Donovan allowed him to continue. A few punches later, Schmeling was knocked down again. From then on, he was helpless. He rose but fell moments later and Donovan stopped the fight.

Schmeling in his later years

Max Schmeling (right) with Joe Louis in 1971.

When he returned to Germany, Schmeling was now shunned by the Nazis. He managed to win both the German and European heavyweight championships on the same night, with a first round knockout of Adolf Heuser. During the Nazi purge of Jews from Berlin, he personally saved the lives of two Jewish children by hiding them in his apartment. During the war, Schmeling participated in the 1941 Battle of Crete, where he was wounded and after recovery was dismissed from active service. He later visited American P.O.W. camps and occasionally tried to help conditions for the prisoners. After the war, strapped for money, he embarked upon a moderately successful comeback in boxing, winning three of his five bouts with two point defeats before re-entering retirement in 1948.

During the 1950s, Schmeling began working for the Coca-Cola Company's offices in Germany. Before long he owned his own bottling plant and held an executive's position within the company. He became friends with Joe Louis and assisted his former rival financially in his later years, eventually financing his military funeral in 1981.

His wife for 54 years, the Czech-born actress Anny Ondra died in 1987. In 1992, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He lived his remaining years as a wealthy man and avid boxing fan, dying on February 2, 2005 at the age of 99.

Honours

• German Lightheavyweight Champion 1926 - 1928
• European Lightheavyweight Champion 1927 - 1928
• German Heavyweight Champion 1928
• World Heavyweight Champion 1930 - 1932
• European Heavyweight Champion 1939 - 1943

Cultural references

German stamp, 2005

Schmeling lived in Stettin, Germany (now known as Szczecin, Poland); a band from this city, The Analogs, recorded the song "Max Schmeling" on their album Hlaskover rock.

In his movie "Deconstructing Harry" [1997] Woody Allen is playing the character of Harry Block who claims to have divorced his first wife since "she looked like Max Schmeling" under a particular lighting setting.

The 2002 film Joe and Max - Rivalen im Ring tell the true story of Joe Louis and Max Schmeling and their enduring friendship.

In the book The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Joe Kavalier is beaten up by someone who may or may not have been Max Schmeling. The author hints that it probably wasn't, as Schmeling should have been fighting in Poland at the time.

The basketball arena in Berlin that the basketball team Alba Berlin used (Max-Schmeling-Halle) is named in honor of the legendary fighter.

The song "Ambling Alp" by Yeasayer mentions Max Schmelling as a "formidable foe." The nicknake 'Ambling Alp' does not refer to Schmelling but refers to another contemporary boxer Primo Carnera. Carnera and Schmeling never faced each other in the ring, but both had high-profile bouts with Joe Louis.

Schmeling also appears as a character in the opera, Shadowboxer, based on the life of Joe Louis.^[3]

Schmeling figures prominently in the 2010 novel by P.F. Kluge A Call From Jersey.[1]

Residencies

Schmeling lived for many years in a mansion on Schweinfurth Strasse in the leafy green suburb of Dahlem in Berlin. The house currently houses the Libyan embassy.

Honorary Residencies

• Honorary Resident of the City of Los Angeles
• Honorary Resident of Las Vegas
• Honorary Resident of Klein-Luckow (his hometown)
• Honorary Member of the Austrian Boxing Federation

Professional Record

56 Wins (40 knockouts, 16 decisions), 10 Losses (5 knockouts, 5 decisions), 4 Draws [2]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	56-10-4	Richard Vogt	PTS	10	31/10/1948	Waldbuehne, Westend, Berlin, Germany
Win	56-9-4	Hans Joachim Draegestein	TKO	9 (10)	02/10/1948	VFB Platz, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	Draegestein suffered broken jaw.
Loss	55-9-4	Walter Neusel	PTS	10	23/05/1948	Platz in Hamburg-Altona, Altona, Hamburg, Germany
Win	55-8-4	Hans Joachim Draegestein	PTS	10	07/12/1947	Omnibushalle, Altona, Hamburg, Germany
Win	54-8-4	Werner Vollmer	KO	7 (10)	28/09/1947	Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany	This was Schmeling's first fight in over eight years.
Win	53-8-4	Adolf Heuser	KO	1 (15)	02/07/1939	Adolf-Hitler-Kampfbahn, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Won EBU & Germany BDB Heavyweight titles. The fight has the largest boxing audience in German boxing history of 70,000 people.
Loss	52-8-4	Joe Louis	KO	1 (15)	22/06/1938	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States	For NYSAC, NBA & World Heavyweight titles. Proclaimed the "Fight of the Decade" by The Ring Magazine.
Win	52-7-4	Steve Dudas	KO	5 (?)	16/04/1938	Hanseatenhalle, Hamburg, Germany
Win	51-7-4	Ben Foord	PTS	12	30/01/1938	Hanseatenhalle, Hamburg, Germany
Win	50-7-4	Henry Thomas	TKO	8 (15)	13/12/1937	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	49-7-4	Joe Louis	KO	12 (15)	19/06/1936	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States	Louis was down in the 4th and 12th rounds. 1936 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine.
Win	48-7-4	Paulino Uzcudun	PTS	12	07/07/1935	Poststadion, Moabit, Berlin, Germany
Win	47-7-4	Steve Hamas	KO	9 (12)	10/03/1935	Hanseatenhalle, Hamburg, Germany
Win	46-7-4	Walter Neusel	KO	9 (15)	26/08/1934	Sandbahn Lokstedt, Hamburg, Germany	This fight has the largest European boxing attendance of 102,000 people.
Draw	45-7-4	Paulino Uzcudun	PTS	12	13/05/1934	Montjuich Stadium, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Loss	45-7-3	Steve Hamas	PTS	12	13/02/1934	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss	45-6-3	Max Baer	TKO	10 (15)	08/06/1933	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States	The fight was in front of a crowd of 53,000 (with another 3,300 with passes). Including Jack Sharkey and Primo Carnera, paid $239,676.07 to assure a fair profit for Jack Dempsey in his first big promotional venture. 1933 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine.
Win	45-5-3	Mickey Walker	TKO	8 (15)	26/09/1932	Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States	Walker down once in round 1 and twice in round 8. Jack Kearns, Walker's manager, signaled Referee Denning to stop the bout.
Loss	44-5-3	Jack Sharkey	SD	15	21/06/1932	Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States	Lost NYSAC & NBA Heavyweight titles. As a result of the controversial decision of this bout, the NYSAC barred any but "boxing experts" (sports writers, referees, judges) from broadcasting descriptions of future matches.
Win	44-4-3	Young Stribling	TKO	15 (15)	03/07/1931	Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, United States	Retained NBA & World Heavyweight titles. 1931 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine.
Win	43-4-3	Jack Sharkey	DQ	4 (15)	12/06/1930	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States	Won vacant NYSAC & NBA Heavyweight titles. Sharkey was disqualified because of a low blow.
Win	42-4-3	Paulino Uzcudun	PTS	15	27/06/1929	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States	Schmeling injured his right hand in the 5th round.
Win	41-4-3	Johnny Risko	TKO	9 (15)	01/02/1929	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	1929 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. Schmeling dropped Risko in rounds 1, 7, 8, and 9, each time with a right hand.
Win	40-4-3	Pietro Corri	KO	1 (10)	21/01/1929	Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win	39-4-3	Joe Sekyra	PTS	10	04/01/1929	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	38-4-3	Joe Monte	KO	8 (10)	23/11/1928	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	37-4-3	Franz Diener	PTS	15	04/04/1928	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany	Retained Germany BDB Light Heavyweight title.
Win	36-4-3	Ted Moore	PTS	10	11/03/1928	Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Loss	35-4-3	Gipsy Daniels	KO	1 (10)	25/02/1928	Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
Win	35-3-3	Michele Bonaglia	KO	1 (15)	06/01/1928	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany	Retained EBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	34-3-3	Gipsy Daniels	PTS	10	02/12/1927	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany
Win	33-3-3	Hein Domgoergen	KO	7 (15)	06/11/1927	Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany	Retained EBU & Germany BDB Light Heavyweight titles.
Win	32-3-3	Louis Clement	KO	6 (?)	02/10/1927	Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	31-3-3	Robert Larsen	KO	3 (?)	02/09/1927	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany
Win	30-3-3	Willem Westbroek	KO	3 (?)	07/08/1927	Radrennbahn, Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	29-3-3	Jack Taylor	PTS	10	13/07/1927	Hamburg, Germany
Win	28-3-3	Fernand Delarge	KO	14 (15)	19/06/1927	Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany	Retained EBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	27-3-3	Raoul Paillaux	KO	3 (?)	17/05/1927	Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
Win	26-3-3	Robert Larsen	PTS	10	07/05/1927	Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
Win	25-3-3	Stanley Glen	KO	1 (?)	26/04/1927	Sagebiel, Hamburg, Germany
Win	24-3-3	Francois Charles	KO	8 (?)	08/04/1927	Berlin, Germany
Win	23-3-3	Leon Sebilo	KO	2 (?)	12/03/1927	Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	22-3-3	Joe Mehling	KO	3 (?)	04/02/1927	Zirkus Sarassani, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany
Win	21-3-3	Louis Wilms	TKO	8 (?)	23/01/1927	Jahrhunderthalle, Breslau, Lower Silesia, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland)
Win	20-3-3	Jack Stanley	KO	8 (?)	07/01/1927	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany
Win	19-3-3	Herman van't Hof	DQ	8 (?)	01/10/1926	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany	Van 't Hof was disqualified for kidney-punching.
Win	18-3-3	Max Diekmann	KO	1 (12)	24/08/1926	Berlin, Germany	Won Germany BDB Light Heavyweight title.
Win	17-3-3	August Vongehr	TKO	1 (4)	13/07/1926	Luna Park, Berlin, Halensee, Berlin, Germany
Win	16-3-3	Willy Louis	TKO	1 (?)	19/03/1926	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Draw	15-3-3	Max Diekmann	PTS	8	12/02/1926	Berlin, Germany
Win	15-3-2	Rene Compere	PTS	8	08/11/1925	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Loss	14-3-2	Larry Gains	TKO	2 (?)	01/09/1925	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Draw	14-2-2	Leon Randol	PTS	10	13/06/1925	Brussels, Belgium
Loss	14-2-1	Jack Taylor	PTS	10	09/05/1925	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	14-1-1	Fred Hammer	PTS	8	28/04/1925	Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Draw	13-1-1	Jimmy Lyggett	PTS	8	03/04/1925	Berlin, Germany
Win	13–1	Alfred Baker	KO	3 (?)	15/03/1925	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	12–1	Leon Randol	KO	4 (?)	01/03/1925	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	11–1	Joe Mehling	PTS	6	20/01/1925	Berlin, Germany
Win	10–1	Johnny Cludts	KO	2 (?)	18/01/1925	Schauburgring, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	9–1	Jimmy Lyggett Sr	TKO	4 (?)	26/12/1924	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	8–1	Helmuth Hartig	KO	1 (?)	17/12/1924	Berlin, Germany
Win	7–1	Battling Mathar	KO	3 (?)	07/12/1924	Westfalenhalle, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	6–1	Hans Breuer	KO	2 (?)	04/12/1924	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	5–1	Fred Hammer	KO	3 (?)	31/10/1924	Westdeutsche Sporthalle, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Loss	4–1	Max Diekmann	TKO	4 (?)	10/10/1924	Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Germany
Win	4–0	Rocky Knight	PTS	8	04/10/1924	Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	3–0	Henri van der Vyver	KO	3 (?)	22/09/1924	Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	2–0	Willy Louis	KO	1 (?)	20/09/1924	Duisburg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Win	1–0	Hans Czapp	KO	6 (?)	02/08/1924	Tonhalle, Duisburg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany	Pro debut for Schmeling.

See also

• List of heavyweight boxing champions
• List of European Boxing Union heavyweight champions

References

1. ^ "Max Schmeling - Auschwitz.dk". http://www.auschwitz.dk/schmeling.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-11. 
2. ^ "Max Schmeling - NNDB.com". http://www.nndb.com/people/245/000027164/. Retrieved 2008-06-11. 
3. ^ Midegette, Anne, "Inspired by Joe Louis, opera 'Shadowboxer' scores one for reality", Washington Post, 17 April 2010

External links

• East Side Boxing article on Max Schmeling
• 'The Mirror and Max Schmeling,' obituary (American Spectator)
• Professional boxing record for Max Schmeling from BoxRec
• Max Schmeling at Find a Grave
• PBS biography of Max Schmeling
• BBC obituary for Max Schmeling
• NPR memorial (with audio)
• The Fight of the Century NPR special on the selection of the radio broadcast to the 2005 National Recording Registry
• Max Schmeling on the Hindenburg

Achievements
Preceded by Gene Tunney Retired	NYSAC Heavyweight Champion June 12 1930 – January 7 1931 Stripped	Succeeded by Jack Sharkey
	NBA Heavyweight Champion June 12 1930 – June 21 1932
Sporting positions
Preceded by Jack Sharkey	Oldest Living Heavyweight Champion August 17 1994 - February 2 2005	Succeeded by Ingemar Johansson

Persondata
Name	Schmeling, Max
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1905-09-28
Place of birth	Klein Luckow, Province German Empire
Date of death	2005-02-02
Place of death	Wenzendorf, Germany