CIRCA 1930

Joe Louis (1914-1981) learned to box at the Rec Center on Brewster St. in Detroit, first sent there by his mother in hopes he would take up playing the violin. It is said that he concealed his ambitions in the ring from her by carrying his gloves inside an otherwise empty violin case. Then just 16 years of age he began training and would make his fighting debut a year later in 1932. His amateur career would last until July of 1934 and he compiled a record of 50-4 with 43 knockouts.