[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memories & More [@20thCentBoxIMM](/creator/twitter/20thCentBoxIMM) on x XXX followers Created: 2025-07-20 11:59:48 UTC Light Heavyweight Champion John Henry Lewis (right), on July 20, 1938, poses during training for his scheduled bout with "Two Ton" Tony Galento, which will not come off, on July 13th at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia. The fight was cancelled when Galento came down with a case of bronchial pneumonia. ---------------------------------------------------------- John Henry Lewis had become the first black American to win the World Light Heavyweight Championship when he defeated Bob Olin by a 15-round unanimous decision on October 31, 1935. Lewis would successfully defend the title five times over the next three years and be one of the busiest champions, if not the busiest, in boxing history. Lewis fought an amazing XX non-title bouts as a champion which I'd wager is certainly the most of any titlist in the modern era of boxing. He'd actually fought seven days before this title defense against McAvoy, winning a 10-round decision over Eddie Simms in St. Louis. Lewis, as the reigning Light Heavyweight Champion in 1936, fought twenty (20) bouts that year. I can't recall the last time I saw or read of a champion fighting a non-title bout unless he was moving up a division. And that was decades ago. As most of you recall; in his final fight, Lewis fought Joe Louis, his good friend, for the World Heavyweight Championship on January 25, 1939, and was knocked out in the first round. It was the only knockout loss of his career. Lewis was, by this time, almost blind in one eye and his eyesight was deteriorating. Louis gave his friend the title fight so he could have one big payday before the eye problem forced him to retire. Lewis was scheduled to defend the light heavyweight title against Dave Clark in Detroit, Michigan on March 31, 1939, but the fight was canceled on March 17th after two physicians from the Michigan boxing commission examined Lewis's vision and determined that the sight in his left eye was "almost nil" from "probable traumatic cataract." Lewis was banned from boxing in Michigan after he refused to submit to an eye examination by a specialist. Lewis then went to England in May 1939 to defend the title against Len Harvey, whom he had won a decision over in a 1936 title defense, but the BBBofC refused to sanction the bout after examining Lewis's eyes. He returned home without signing for any other fights in Europe. "It is true that I had slight trouble with one eye," Lewis would admit. He said the eye had been injured in a 1935 fight against Abe Feldman. "That dates four years back," he said, "but it didn't prevent me from winning the title from Bob Olin and I don't know how many other fights." On June 19, 1939, five months after his loss to Louis, the National Boxing Association stripped Lewis of their title. Lewis, at age 25, announced his retirement from boxing and took a job as a liquor salesman. (To read more detailed bios of legends like John Henry Lewis, and fight details, submit a membership request to 20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memorie & More - my FB group - if the history of this great sport interests you.)  XX engagements  **Related Topics** [henry](/topic/henry) [Post Link](https://x.com/20thCentBoxIMM/status/1946902862765662404)
[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memories & More @20thCentBoxIMM on x XXX followers
Created: 2025-07-20 11:59:48 UTC
Light Heavyweight Champion John Henry Lewis (right), on July 20, 1938, poses during training for his scheduled bout with "Two Ton" Tony Galento, which will not come off, on July 13th at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia.
The fight was cancelled when Galento came down with a case of bronchial pneumonia.
John Henry Lewis had become the first black American to win the World Light Heavyweight Championship when he defeated Bob Olin by a 15-round unanimous decision on October 31, 1935.
Lewis would successfully defend the title five times over the next three years and be one of the busiest champions, if not the busiest, in boxing history.
Lewis fought an amazing XX non-title bouts as a champion which I'd wager is certainly the most of any titlist in the modern era of boxing. He'd actually fought seven days before this title defense against McAvoy, winning a 10-round decision over Eddie Simms in St. Louis.
Lewis, as the reigning Light Heavyweight Champion in 1936, fought twenty (20) bouts that year. I can't recall the last time I saw or read of a champion fighting a non-title bout unless he was moving up a division. And that was decades ago.
As most of you recall; in his final fight, Lewis fought Joe Louis, his good friend, for the World Heavyweight Championship on January 25, 1939, and was knocked out in the first round. It was the only knockout loss of his career. Lewis was, by this time, almost blind in one eye and his eyesight was deteriorating. Louis gave his friend the title fight so he could have one big payday before the eye problem forced him to retire.
Lewis was scheduled to defend the light heavyweight title against Dave Clark in Detroit, Michigan on March 31, 1939, but the fight was canceled on March 17th after two physicians from the Michigan boxing commission examined Lewis's vision and determined that the sight in his left eye was "almost nil" from "probable traumatic cataract." Lewis was banned from boxing in Michigan after he refused to submit to an eye examination by a specialist.
Lewis then went to England in May 1939 to defend the title against Len Harvey, whom he had won a decision over in a 1936 title defense, but the BBBofC refused to sanction the bout after examining Lewis's eyes. He returned home without signing for any other fights in Europe.
"It is true that I had slight trouble with one eye," Lewis would admit. He said the eye had been injured in a 1935 fight against Abe Feldman. "That dates four years back," he said, "but it didn't prevent me from winning the title from Bob Olin and I don't know how many other fights."
On June 19, 1939, five months after his loss to Louis, the National Boxing Association stripped Lewis of their title. Lewis, at age 25, announced his retirement from boxing and took a job as a liquor salesman.
(To read more detailed bios of legends like John Henry Lewis, and fight details, submit a membership request to 20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memorie & More - my FB group - if the history of this great sport interests you.)
XX engagements
Related Topics henry