After his knockout of Primo Carnera, Joe signed to fight another ex champ in Max Baer on September 24, 1935 in Yankee Stadium in New York. Louis easily took care of Baer, knocking him out in the fourth round. Later in the year, he knocked out Paulino Uzcudun, and found himself as the number 1 contender for the title.
In June of 1936, in a supposed tune-up before a championship fight, Joe took on Max Schmeling in Yankee Stadium. The German shocked the world when he took advantage of Louis’s weaknesses, and knocked him out in the twelfth round, handing Louis his first professional defeat.
Joe returned to the ring just two months later, and knocked out Jack Sharkey in three rounds, once again at Yankee Stadium. He followed that with six victories in a row over limited competition, setting up a shot at the crown against Jim Braddock on June 22, 1937, at Comiskey Park in Chicago.
Despite being knocked down in the first round, Louis got up and stopped Braddock in the eighth, making him the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Joe made three title defenses between August of 1937 and April of 1938, setting up the rematch with his nemesis Max Schmeling, set for June 22nd in New York.
This time would be totally different, with Joe knocking the German down three times in the first round, ending the contest. Louis had his revenge, and was now being celebrated as the King of his division. His reign as champ was only beginning.
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