Choose A Life - Part I...

[Goodnight, Irene]

The premise...

You select which fighters' life you'd rather have lived. I don't have time at the mo to go through the pros & cons, so voters will have to be familiar with the lives of the chosen fighters off-hand, here.

Important: You are choosing the fighters' entire life, in & out of the ring, from the cradle to the grave --- not just their career within the ropes. You also cannot change anything about the fighters' life. You are the beneficiary of all the fruit bore from their wise choices, & are burdened with all the ramifications of their poor ones.

Would you rather have been...

A) Joe Louis

B) Max Schmeling

Again, little time to weigh up the pros & cons, but most here will understand why this could pose a difficult decision. Glory, fame, infamy, poverty, wealth are all entwined in each man's life.

Who do you choose?

[allworld80]

Interesting. I took Max simply because of what Joe went through in his later years. Being hounded by the IRS, propped up in casinos as a greeter and hand shaker. No thanks.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Interesting. I took Max simply because of what Joe went through in his later years. Being hounded by the IRS, propped up in casinos as a greeter and hand shaker. No thanks.

Undoubtedly, the reasoning behind those who will choose Max. Reckon, TF, you may be having second-thoughts though, oh, say, around the age of thirty-three, when you meet Louis second-time around, & he lands the first punch which permanently damages the vertebrae in your back, causing you to literally scream in agony?

[Robinson]

National and European hero and champion through some
turbulent and varyingly different times.

Chairman of Coca Cola after serving in WW2. Helping to
rebuild your nation.

Not to mention being world champion, beating the man
many consider to be the best ever and always quick to
smile. Seemingly surrounded by family and friends, never
marred by public scrutiny or hounded by an ungrateful
Govt.

100 years of German pride in spanning the young nations most
tragic and triumphant centuries. Dying I am sure a happy and
content man.

For me when I think of Joe Louis I feel sad for him towards
the end, once he stepped out of the ring. A great fighter,
and no doubt a good man.

RIP to both.

[allworld80]

Interesting. I took Max simply because of what Joe went through in his later years. Being hounded by the IRS, propped up in casinos as a greeter and hand shaker. No thanks.

Undoubtedly, the reasoning behind those who will choose Max. Reckon, TF, you may be having second-thoughts though, oh, say, around the age of thirty-three, when you meet Louis second-time around, & he lands the first punch which permanently damages the vertebrae in your back, causing you to literally scream in agony?

I did skip forward a bit didn't I? As a fighter, I would certainly prefer Joe's legacy to that of Max. It just seems that Joe's overall existance may have been troubled, while Max was more revered in his native land.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Max more revered in Germany than Joe in America? Across the entire scope of their lives, yes. At the peak of their respective popularity, however, I'm not so sure. Not saying I disagree, but Joe joins Ali & Dempsey as the three most beloved champions of all-time --- again, at popularity's height. Of course, I'm sure Joe contended with terrible racism Max didn't have to endure --- & this, through much of his early life, not just early career.

That said, I'm betting Joe had a lot more fun having dinner with Roosevelt than Schmeling did with The Fuhrer...

[Robinson]

Do not under estimate how loved and revered Max is in Germany
and many parts of Europe.

Sure Louis is popular world wide and no doubt in America. I am sure
the German youths have a greater sense of history than their American
counter parts.

[allworld80]

Of course, I'm sure Joe contended with terrible racism Max didn't have to endure --- & this, through much of his early life, not just early career.

Precisely my thinking. If I was going to live one of these great champion's life, I couldn't imagine living what Louis certainly went through.

[Robinson]

Racism....Louis never had to jump out of air planes into battle zones either though..
The Germans lost alot of paratroopers in and over Crete, where Schmelling parachuted
and fought a bitter campaign for control of the Greek isle.

While Louis wore uniform, he never knew combat and he never saw his
country go through what Germany went through.

Racism or not. I would rather that, than the uncertainty of war and post
war politics, occupation and retributions.

Nazi's or not. All German's faced tremendous uncertainty with four
armies occupying it.

[Tantum]

Joe.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Joe.

Is it the unprecedented in-ring glory you can't resist?

I notice the poll is more or less even-money, but no one's putting out why Joe's their pick (not that it's a great stretch to guess) --- just a couple of explanations on choosing Max.