On June 4, 1938, African American boxer Joe Louis successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nathan Mann at Yankee Stadium. While his 1938 fight with German Max Schmeling is more famous, this defense was crucial in solidifying Louis as a dominant force in boxing. His victories carried immense symbolic weight across the African diaspora, as he represented Black excellence in a racially hostile era. From Jamaica to Nigeria, Louis was seen as a beacon of pride and resistance. His fights were broadcast and written about globally, and many Black communities held communal listening sessions. The June 4 win kept the momentum of his legend alive just weeks before his legendary fight with Schmeling.
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