When the great Joe Louis fought challenger Tami Maurielli on September 18, 1946 he had already been heavyweight champion of the world for over nine years and was in the twilight of his brilliant career. It has been generally acknowledged by boxing historians that Louis was not the same fighter after World War II and that his skills had diminished considerably. Age and the one hundred exhibition fights he had while entertaining the troops during the war had taken its toll. Joe’s record was fifty seven wins with one loss when he entered the ring against the tough Mauriello. 38,494 boxing fans were in attendance at Yankee Stadium to witness what almost everyone assumed would be another easy knockout by the famed “Brown Bomber”. Mauriello was Frank Sinatra’s favorite fighter and it was rumored that Frank used his influence to help Tami get the title shot against Louis. Mauriello, who was coming off eleven straight knockouts, had other ideas. He really thought he had a good chance at pulling off a huge upset. Tami was not the least bit in awe of Louis as so many of his previous opponents had been. Louis weighed in at 211 ¼ pounds while Mauriello came in at 198 ½ pounds. Long time respected referee Arthur Donavon would officiate the fight. Mauriello’s game plan was not to hold back against Louis, but to surprise him by going immediately on the attack. Tami was known for a tremendous overhand right hand and was not shy about letting his hands go early. Mauriello closed out his career with sixty knockouts in eighty wins and had eleven first round knockouts. Read more: http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/08/famous-ring-wars-joe-louis-vs-tami-mauriello/#more-77231
