Like boxing to the Yankee Stadium, I am back

Having had things popping up recently I've not managed to update this in a while which is a shame as I've managed to reel off work all week despite having things going on. Though it's with Yankee Stadium in mind and the recent Miguel Cotto v Yuri Foreman fight that brings me to thinking about the home of the great American game, that, like boxing, you stole from us Brits. Sadly one thing we Brits can't claim is the greatest heavyweight of all time, that was Joe Louis. So what happens when you put Joe in the home of baseball? Well...

It was against Primo Canera that Louis would make his debut in the stadium, scoring a 6th round TKO. He would follow this up by beating Max Baer  in 4 rounds in what was the first fight for Baer since losing his title. Louis made the former champion pay, as he established the stadium as his own home stadium, it could well have been renamed "Bomber Stadium" after the Brown Bomber destroyed Jack Sharkey there in 1936 having suffered his first career loss at the hands of Max Schmeling.

Having won the title at Comiskey Park against James J Braddock  his first defence was at home of the Yankees where he out pointed the fine Welshman Tommy Farr before extracting revenge against Schmeling in their rematch a year after winning the title was vicious and painful for the German though others were treat  to a similar fate. Tony Galento would put Louis down before being stopped in the stadium that Louis ruled with Arturo Godoy being the last defence Louis would have there before the war.

After the War Louis was back on the hallowed turf and knocking opponents out of there, with Billy Conn lasting into the 8th round whilst Tami Mauriello put on one of the most exciting brawls with Louis even if it was short lived. Louis would score his last defence there against Jersey Joe Walcott in 1948 before losing in his comeback to Ezzard Charles and not fighting there again having run up a 9-2 record in the venue.

Like many Louis fights there their Cotto v Foreman fight was a good watch and well worth chasing down if you've not already seen it.

For those interested in Louis' fights:
The Schmeling rematch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6StIjEli_vU

The Galento fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdpZQHZlSWQ (pt 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQhaI21fS-c&feature=related (pt 2)

The Mauriello fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzJaokX_N8

Withe others available.