1936 Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling Full Ticket

Sold For:

$840

Year:

1936

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

2547

Category:

Boxing/Golf/Other Cards or Memorabilia

Full ticket to the first of two historic boxing matches between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, held on June 18, 1936, at Yankee Stadium in New York. PSA has encapsulated the ticket and certified it as “Authentic.” The ticket, which features portrait images of Louis and Schmeling, is for a “Lower Stand” seat. Although Schmeling was a former World Champion, Louis entered their first bout with a 23-0 record and was considered unbeatable at the time. Schmeling, however, shocked the boxing world by knocking Louis out in round 12. Perhaps larger than the fight itself were the political ramifications of Schmeling's victory. Schmeling was a German and Hitler immediately capitalized on his victory as a further example of Aryan superiority. By the time of their second bout, in 1938, Louis had become heavyweight champion, but had declared that he personally would not recognize himself as champion until he defeated Schmeling. He received that opportunity on June 22nd, with the bout once again taking place at Yankee Stadium. With the hopes of the entire nation upon his shoulders, Louis proceeded to score a TKO victory in the first round after flooring Schmeling three times. Tickets to the first Louis/Schmeling fight are scarcer than those for the second bout, especially full examples such as these. The ticket (7 x 2.5 inches) displays light-to-moderate edge and corner wear and is in Excellent condition overall. Reserve $300. Estimate $500+.