“We wuz robbed, we wuz robbed”
Posted: 24 Aug 2016, 21:16
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Was the Schmeling-Sharkey II (1932) decision an American conspiracy?
I don’t have any proof whatsoever, but the bad decision has some interesting caveats associated with it:
• By 1931 the National Socialists (Nazis) had gained a plurality in the Reichstag and were already promoting Aryan supremacy through sport. (Of course this reached its apex in the ’36 Olympics.)
• Fear that the Germans (Nazis) or any foreign nation would try to hold the heavyweight championship hostage.
• Jewish-American influence in the sport (promoters/managers). I realize Schmeling's manager, Yussle “Joe” Jacobs, was an American Jew but his position was on tenterhooks as the Nazis grew stronger.
• Schmeling’s (boring) style; Schmeling was an accomplished boxer, but most Americans were waiting for the next ‘Dempsey’ and Schmeling wasn’t delivering the desired action; gate receipts were declining and many believed an American Champion would draw better. (It is more likely that the Great Depression was the real cause.)
There is little doubt that Braddock’s people denied Schmeling his deserved shot in ’37 for some of the above reasons, but I am not sure if American fears were as great in ’32.
By 1937 everyone believed that whoever Braddock fought next, Louis or Schmeling, would likely become the next heavyweight champion; there is reason to believe that Braddock himself believed this and that is why Braddock ducked Schmeling in ’37.
A digression: I once read, but have never been able to confirm since, that Louis’ people offered Braddock 10% of all Louis’ purses for the next ten years, if he broke his contract with Schmeling and fought Louis instead. Anyone know if this is true?
Was the Schmeling-Sharkey II (1932) decision an American conspiracy?
I don’t have any proof whatsoever, but the bad decision has some interesting caveats associated with it:
• By 1931 the National Socialists (Nazis) had gained a plurality in the Reichstag and were already promoting Aryan supremacy through sport. (Of course this reached its apex in the ’36 Olympics.)
• Fear that the Germans (Nazis) or any foreign nation would try to hold the heavyweight championship hostage.
• Jewish-American influence in the sport (promoters/managers). I realize Schmeling's manager, Yussle “Joe” Jacobs, was an American Jew but his position was on tenterhooks as the Nazis grew stronger.
• Schmeling’s (boring) style; Schmeling was an accomplished boxer, but most Americans were waiting for the next ‘Dempsey’ and Schmeling wasn’t delivering the desired action; gate receipts were declining and many believed an American Champion would draw better. (It is more likely that the Great Depression was the real cause.)
There is little doubt that Braddock’s people denied Schmeling his deserved shot in ’37 for some of the above reasons, but I am not sure if American fears were as great in ’32.
By 1937 everyone believed that whoever Braddock fought next, Louis or Schmeling, would likely become the next heavyweight champion; there is reason to believe that Braddock himself believed this and that is why Braddock ducked Schmeling in ’37.
A digression: I once read, but have never been able to confirm since, that Louis’ people offered Braddock 10% of all Louis’ purses for the next ten years, if he broke his contract with Schmeling and fought Louis instead. Anyone know if this is true?