The year is 1942, and the world is engulfed in the chaos of war. Though the battlefields have yet to stretch to North American shores, the turmoil casts its shadow far and wide. Industries pivot to produce weapons and military gear, and even the realm of sports feels the impact. Numerous professional athletes exchange their gear for uniforms, joining the war effort in various capacities.
Take Joe Louis, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion. Just two months ago, he defended his title with a swift first-round knockout against Buddy Baer. Displaying his patriotism, Louis donated his prize money to support the troops and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Before plunging into basic training, he arranged one last defense at Madison Square Garden against Abe Simon, a former opponent. A significant chunk of the fight’s earnings went to the Army Emergency Relief Fund, including Joe’s entire cut and about $3,000 from Simon’s end.
The Louis vs. Simon II showdown piqued interest for good reason. Some pundits dismissed many of Joe’s challengers as part of the so-called “Bum of the Month Club.” However, several were worthy contenders. Ranked fifth in the heavyweight division by The Ring at the close of 1941, Simon was no pushover. Standing tall at 6’4” and weighing 255 pounds, he was a force to be reckoned with. His track record boasted victories against formidable opponents like Roscoe Toles, Gunnar Barlund, and a young Jersey Joe Walcott. Notably, he had faced Louis a year prior, putting on a commendable show until Louis overpowered him in the thirteenth round.
Louis didn’t have it easy either. With his Army enlistment looming and his trainer Jack Blackburn hospitalized with pneumonia, there was uncertainty in his camp. Moreover, the financial quandaries that would plague Louis throughout his life began at this time, due in part to the tax implications of his donations.
Despite all these challenges, the oddsmakers heavily favored Joe, setting him at 15-to-1 odds against Simon. History was on Louis’s side; he had proven his mettle in rematches before. Fighters who once troubled him, like Max Schmeling, Arturo Godoy, and later on Jersey Joe Walcott, were decisively dismantled in their second encounters.
With the first round underway, the oddsmakers seemed justified in their confidence. Simon, the giant in the ring, displayed hesitance, his hands hanging low. Louis’s swift footwork and precise punching immediately stood out. Though Simon attempted a solid jab while backpedaling, he couldn’t maintain the distance, allowing Louis to connect with punishing combinations. While clinching provided Simon some respite, it paled against the champion’s relentless accuracy.
By the second round, Louis had firmly established his dominance. Simon’s attempts to advance only met a barrage of Joe’s rights. Louis’s mix of jabs, hooks, and straight punches overwhelmed Simon, who struggled to stay on his feet under the relentless attack. Near the end of the round, a sequence of jabs and a mighty right sent Simon to the canvas. Though he rose quickly, the bell mercifully halted the ensuing punishment.
The subsequent rounds saw Simon weather the storm, albeit shakily. Louis seemed poised to end it whenever he wished, rendering Simon’s power ineffective due to his defensive stance.
A glimpse of a comeback flickered at the start of the fifth as Simon jabbed and drove Louis to the ropes. Yet, this was short-lived. Louis countered skillfully, reclaimed control, and delivered a punishing series of rights. Near the round’s end, an onslaught from Louis put Simon down again, but fate and the bell saved him once more.
As the sixth round began, Louis delivered a right cross followed by a left hook, and Simon fell soundly. Though Simon made it to his feet, the referee’s count marked the end. Louis had once again secured his title.
In the months after this bout, Joe transitioned to military life, boxing in exhibitions for the Army. It would be over four years before he’d step into a ring for an official fight, with his championship status intact, if not his finances.
Abe Simon would retire from boxing after his second face-off with Louis, turning to acting roles in films and TV, including appearances in “On The Waterfront” and “Requiem for a Heavyweight.”
— Insight by Hunter Breckenridge
