Joe Louis’ career nearly had a fitting ending when he retired as heavyweight champion of the world in 1941.
However, financial troubles from back taxes owed forced the Brown Bomber to come out of retirement and schedule a bout with top contender Rocky Marciano on this day in 1951 at Madison Square Garden.
The 27-year-old Marciano reluctantly took the fight to face his 37-year-old idol and knocked down Louis twice in the eighth round, the second of which ended the bout for a TKO.
It would be the last professional fight in the career of a legend as Louis once again retired that night, but continued to tour on the exhibition circuits.
1968: George Foreman earns gold for the United States at the Olympics by defeating the Soviet Union’s Ionas Chepulis in heavyweight boxing.
1986: Alain Prost wins the final race of the Formula One season to claim the championship by two points with McLaren.
1993: The NFL announces the establishment of an expansion team in the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.
2005: The Chicago White Sox complete their sweep of the Houston Astros to win the World Series, with Jermaine Dye named MVP.
