Joe Louis vs. Johnny Paychek

**Challenger rankings**
Org.	Pos.	As of	Published
1+ Mth. Old
NBA	7	24.12.1939	24.12.1939
Ring	6	by 25.12.1939	by 25.12.1939
2+ Mth. Old
NBA	4	15.09.1939	15.09.1939
Ring	6	13.10.1939	by 23.11.1939
3+ Mth. Old
NBA	4	15.09.1939	15.09.1939
Ring	6	13.09.1939	by 04.10.1939

Notes

On February 7, promoter Mike Jacobs confirmed that Paychek was the front runner for Louis' next title defense, though insisted that nothing had yet been signed.
Negotiations were carried out in secret, as Jacobs was trying to arrange the fight for the benefit of the Finnish Relief Fund. Boxing writers that knew about negotiations agreed to keep it confidential.[1]
Bout announced on February 10.[2]
On February 14, former lightweight champion Benny Leonard was confirmed to train Paychek for the fight.[3]

Listed fourth in the National Boxing Association Q3 rankings released September 15, 1939, Paychek dropped to seventh in the Q4 rankings published December 24.
Paychek further dropped to eighth on March 20, 1940, after NBA decided to promote previously unranked Arturo Godoy to No. 1.
Ring Magazine ranked Paychek sixth since at least autumn of 1939
In the first rankings published after the announcement of the fight, Paychek was promoted to fifth. Previously unranked Godoy was moved to No. 1, while third and fifth-ranked Lou Nova and Max Schmeling were dropped completely.

There was a crowd of 11,620.
The gate was $62,481.41.
Paycheck was down for three nine-counts in the first round. Louis knocked him out with a right in round two.
"I would like to meet him again," Paycheck said in his dressing room after the fight. "I think I can do better."

Preceded by: Louis vs. Godoy I	NBA Heavyweight Title Fight # 23	Succeeded by: Louis vs. Godoy II
Preceded by: Louis vs. Godoy I	NYSAC Heavyweight Title Fight # 21	Succeeded by: Louis vs. Godoy II