Joe Louis and the 10 stars King Levinsky fought

Joe Louis

BN Staff

Sep 10 2020

  1. JOE LOUIS
    Prior to becoming heavyweight champion, an unbeaten 21-year-old Louis scorched Levinsky in the opening round in 1935. In doing so, “The Brown Bomber” became the first man to defeat Levinsky via stoppage.
  2. JACK DEMPSEY
    Four-and-a-half years after his last official outing, ex-heavyweight king Dempsey boxed Levinsky in an exhibition in 1932. Levinsky controlled proceedings and Dempsey decided to remain retired instead of pursuing a comeback.
  3. MICKEY WALKER
    During his late-career run at heavyweight, former welterweight and middleweight champ Walker got the better of Levinsky on a split decision in 1932, but had to survive a first-frame knockdown.
  4. TOMMY LOUGHRAN
    Levinsky had a trilogy of fights with previous light-heavyweight ruler Loughran from 1930 to 1933. A pair of unanimous verdict victories for Loughran sandwiched a points win for Levinsky, which was also unanimous.
  5. MAX BAER
    After dropping a unanimous vote to Baer in early 1932, Levinsky suffered another loss on the scorecards in their rematch in mid-1932. Baer would go on to claim the heavyweight championship in 1934.
  6. MAXIE ROSENBLOOM
    When Levinsky was outpointed by ex-light-heavyweight leader Rosenbloom in 1937, this reverse kicked off a sequence of seven defeats in his final eight contests. Rosenbloom was Levinsky’s last star opponent.
  7. JACK SHARKEY
    In what was Sharkey’s first appearance since losing the heavyweight crown three months previously, Levinsky secured a major scalp by beating “The Boston Gob” on a unanimous decision in 1933.
  8. JIMMY SLATTERY
    Levinsky faced Slattery, a former NBA and NYSAC light-heavyweight titlist, on three occasions from 1930 to 1931. He won a split verdict, then lost on points, then outscored Slattery in a rubber match.
  9. PRIMO CARNERA
    Before picking up the heavyweight title, the gigantic Carnera notched a brace of wins over Levinsky. Carnera conquered Levinsky unanimously in 1931 and took a split decision success in 1932.
  10. PAULINO UZCUDUN
    Uzcudun found himself on the wrong end of a majority verdict when he met Levinsky in 1932. The following year, Uzcudun unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight belt.

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