A key factor in the fight was Schmeling’s preparation. Before the fight, Schmeling spent a lot of time studying film of Louis. He later said he noticed that Louis often dropped his left hand after throwing a jab.
Schmeling noted that Louis had a habit of dropping his left hand after throwing his jab, leaving him vulnerable to right hand counters.
Confident that he had found an answer for the undefeated rival, Schmeling repeatedly said that he knew how to beat Louis. However, Louis entered the battle as a heavy favourite.
The plan became clear from the opening bell.
Using his jab to control distance, Schmeling repeatedly landed right hands over Louis’ lowered left during the early rounds. Louis had success in spots, but Schmeling continued to find openings with the same counter-hand.
The turning point of the fight came in the fourth round when Schmeling landed a right hand to the jaw of Louis, sending him down for the first time in his professional career. Although Louis got up and continued to fight, Schmeling continued to find success with his right hand as the fight progressed.
Schmeling stayed disciplined through the middle rounds and built a lead as he continued to land right hand counters. In round 12 he landed a right to the body, followed by another right to the jaw that sent Louis down near his corner. Referee Arthur Donovan counted Louis out at 2:29 of the round.
The result handed Louis the first defeat of his professional career. The fight also had political significance during the years leading up to World War II, with Nazi Germany later using Schmeling’s victory for propaganda purposes.
Louis recovered from the loss by winning the heavyweight championship in 1937. He later avenged the loss on June 22, 1938, stopping Schmeling in the first round of their rematch at Yankee Stadium.
