Joseph Barrow was born in LaFayette, Alabama back in 1914 to Munroe and Lillie. Suffering from a speech impediment he spoke very little until the age of six. His father was committed to a mental institution in 1916. His mother married Pat after Monroe died while institutionalized.
In 1926, the family moved to Detroit where Joseph attended Bronson Vocational School learning the art of cabinet-making. His mother wanted him to play violin but he had other things in mind. You’ll know what I’m getting at shortly. He made his debut in 1932 at 17. Being barely literate he wrote his name so large he couldn’t fit his last name to the contract.
He professional appeared in 69 events winning all but 3 of them.
What you may not know about Joseph Louis Barrow is that we all know him as Joe Louis, the Brown Bomber. He held the title of heavyweight titleholder for boxing from 1937 to 1949, the longest span for a heavyweight, which is still the record. He lost to Max Schmeling in the first boxing match in 1935. The second one was in 1938, the bout lasted only two minutes and four seconds, Louis battered Schmeling knocking him down three times, Schmeling’s manager threw in the towel thus ending the match. Just goes to show you what one can achieve with the right motivation.
Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile
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