John Henry Lewis

Template:Short description Template:Infobox boxer John Henry Lewis (May 1, 1914 – April 18, 1974) was a hall of fame American boxer who held the World Light Heavyweight Boxing Title from 1935 to 1938. The Ring boxing magazine named Lewis the 16th greatest light heavyweight of all time. His trainer was Larry Amadee, and his managers included Ernie Lira, Larry White, Frank Schuler and Gus Greenlee.<ref name="Boxrec">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="CBZ">Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

Lewis was born in Los Angeles on May 4, 1914, to Mattie Drake Foster and John Edward Lewis. The family settled in Phoenix, Arizona,<ref name="roots">Finding Your Roots, February 16, 2016, PBS</ref> where he grew up and was taught to box at an early age by his father, a former lightweight who ran a Phoenix gym. Lewis claimed a great-uncle was the noted bare-knuckle brawler Tom Molineaux.<ref name="Boxrec Bio"/>

Lewis battled in exhibition "midget boxing" matches at the age of five. Turning professional as a welterweight at 14, he gained a reputation for speed and rapidly improving scientific boxing skill.

Early career

Lewis began his professional career in 1928, beating Buster Grant by a four-round decision in Phoenix, where he fought his first fourteen bouts.<ref name="Boxrec"/> In 1931, he traveled to Prescott, to fight Sam Terrain on March 11. This proved to be a tragic event, as Terrain later died from the blows received during Lewis' fourth round knockout win.<ref name="Boxrec"/><ref name="Boxrec Bio">Template:Cite web</ref>

On July 1, 1931, he won his first title, the USA Arizona State Middleweight Championship, in an eight-round points decision against Lloyd Phillips, in Mesa, Arizona. The crowd violently resented the ruling, possibly as a result of racial basis, but the Arizona Republic called the ruling "eminently just".<ref name="Boxrec"/>

Lewis faced future World Heavyweight champion, James J. Braddock on September 21, 1932, defeating him in a ten-round points decision at Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.<ref name="Boxrec"/> Though only eighteen and still in school at the time of the fight, he took nine of the ten rounds by wide margins. Braddock forced the fighting to take the seventh round.<ref>"Lewis Triumphs", Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona, p. 6, September 22, 1932</ref>

Taking a break from his high school studies, Lewis won a ten-round decision over Lou Scozza, a veteran Light Heavyweight contender, on October 26, 1932, in San Francisco. He was awarded six of the ten rounds, despite a half-inch cut over his right eye received in the second.<ref>Only five rounds in "Lewis Wins Bout in San Francisco", Santa Cruz Sentinel, Santa Cruz, California, p. 4, October 27, 1932</ref> According to most accounts, Scozza had an edge in the fourth and tenth, while the third and ninth were even.<ref>"John Henry Lewis Trims Lou Scozza", The Bakersfield Californian, Bakersfield, California, p. 17, October 27, 1932</ref> Lewis landed cleaner punches and in three rounds sent Scozza back on his heels with strong rights to the jaw. Lewis nearly dropped Scozza in the seventh, and in the eighth scored a terrific right to the jaw that landed him on the ropes.<ref name="Boxrec"/><ref>"Lewis Captures Brisk Contest", Reno-Gazette Journal, Reno, Nevada, p. 6, October 27, 1932</ref><ref>"Lewis Beats Buffalo Boy", Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, p. 12, October 27, 1932</ref>

In 1934, Lewis had 12 bouts, going 9–1–2. On September 20 of that year, he made an unsuccessful attempt at the Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight title in Portland, Oregon, but drew with Young Firpo in ten rounds. The first six rounds were extremely close, but in the seventh, eighth, and ninth, Firpo gained a moderate points margin.<ref name="Boxrec"/><ref>Lewis used both fists in round ten in "Late Sports", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, p. 1, September 21, 1934</ref> In the seventh, Firpo used his unorthodox punches to pull ahead, and in the eighth and ninth, he used aggressive rights and lefts to Lewis's body and chin. In round ten, Lewis rallied with a two-fisted attack to secure the draw decision. When John Henry unexpectedly lowered his punches, a tiring Firpo succumbed to a body attack. Two lefts and a stiff right to the head gained Lewis a slight lead, but Firpo recovered, and the brisk fighting looked even at the final bell.<ref>"John Henry Fails to Beat Firpo For Title", Reno Gazette, Reno, Nevada, p. 18, September 21, 1934</ref>

Light Heavyweight contender Yale Okun became Lewis's third-round technical knockout victim in Madison Square Garden on November 23, 1934. In the first two rounds, Okun made a fair showing and prevented Lewis from gaining a points margin. Okun was first staggered by a whizzing right to the face in the third, and after another of Lewis's rights dropped him for a nine-count, the referee called the fight.<ref>Hughes, Ed, "Lewis Flattens Okun", Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, p. 6, November 24, 1934</ref> This bout, and a previous victory against Lewis, were two of Okun's most important career matches.<ref>Okun's most important in Silver, Mike, "Stars in the Ring", (2016), Rowman and Littlefield, Guilford, Connecticut, p. 208</ref>

Facing Frank Rowsey in San Francisco on May 10, 1935, Lewis won a decisive ten-round points decision in San Francisco. Rowsey, outweighed by eight pounds, lost all but the fourth, but nearly knocked Lewis out in the eighth with a clean right to the jaw. The blow staggered Lewis and spun him around, but he recovered and delivered more than he received by the closing bell. Lewis showed superior ring craft, and aggression in the win.<ref>Ward, Alan, "Lewis Whips Rowsey; Road Ahead Blocked", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, p. 8, May 11, 1935</ref><ref>Spun him in "John Henry Lewis Defeats Rowsey", The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, p. 4, May 11, 1935</ref>

Lewis quickly knocked out Tom Patrick at Hickey Park in Millvale in the first of a ten-round bout on June 4, 1935. The Pittsburgh audience watched Lewis knock Patrick to the mat within the first minute of fighting for a count of three, and shortly after he arose, he went down for the full count from a left and right to the jaw.<ref>"Sports, Celebron is Deprived", The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, p. 12, June 4, 1935</ref><ref>First knockdown for count of three in "Gee! That Bout Went By Quick!", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, p. 30, June 4, 1935</ref>

Taking the World Light Heavyweight Championship, October 1935

Lewis took the World Light Heavyweight Title from Bob Olin on October 31, 1935, in a fifteen-round unanimous decision at the Arena in St. Louis. Due to the Depression and a lack of interest in the Light Heavyweight class, Olin's manager had a difficult time finding a promoter or an audience for the fight, finally settling on a payment of $15,000 to fight Lewis in St. Louis. The meager audience of 9,219 that showed on fight day could not provide enough in receipts to pay Olin half of what he was promised. Olin's trainer, Ray Arcel, later wrote that his boxer lost the nerve to fight Lewis and had to be encouraged to change his mind up to the day of the match.

The fight, however, was spectacular, with Olin showing gameness throughout the fifteen rounds, though outmatched by Lewis. Many in the crowd urged the referee to end the fight in the twelfth, but Olin gamely continued. He came out charging and won the first two rounds with a significant margin in points. In the third, finding his range, Lewis battered Olin with precision lefts to the head and straight rights to the body. Both boxers punched with precision and skill, until the thirteenth when Lewis, struggling for a knockout, inadvertently struck Olin after the bell sounded. Faced with the "machine-like precision" of Lewis, Olin lost twelve rounds, while managing to keep two even. Olin, with the will of a former champion, courageously remained on his feet through the entire fifteen rounds, refusing to suffer a knockdown.<ref>"Defending Champion Outclassed Puts Up a Courageous Battle", McGoogan, W. J., St Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 28, November 1, 1935</ref><ref>Lewis battered Olin in the third in "Negro Lifts Olin's Title", The Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, p. 16, November 1, 1935</ref><ref>McGoogan, W. J., "Bob Olin Lost His Title Here", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 27, December 17, 1956</ref>

In his next fight on November 29, 1935, Lewis lost to Maxie Rosenbloom in a close, dull, 10-round non-title decision at Dreamland Auditorium in San Francisco. Lewis may have taken the fifth, but for his low blow penalties. One reporter scored five for Rosenbloom, three for Lewis, and two even. Rosenbloom's cautious strategy of striking a blow and then clinching bored many ringside, but demonstrated experience as he adjusted for the talent of his younger opponent.<ref name="Boxrec"/> Lewis's strategy centered on a body attack, which he executed most effectively in the second, eighth and ninth rounds. In the tenth round, Lewis tried for a knockout, but was rebuffed by the scientific skill of Rosenbloom, who blocked his attacks and showered him with blows. Maxie gained his winning points advantage in the final round,<ref>Showered him with his own punches in "Max Rosenbloom Wins Verdict", The Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, p. 2, November 30, 1935</ref> though the resulting decision failed to please the crowd.<ref>Crowd displeased with decision in "Rosenbloom Given Unpopular Victory", Wilmington Daily Press Journal, Wilmington, California, p. 2, November 30, 1935</ref> Lewis's handlers may have been wise to insist both boxers enter the ring overweight to forgo the risks of a title match, though each boxer had previously split two wins and two losses in their previous meetings.<ref>"Champ Unable to Get Over Kayo Blow", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, p. 8, November 30, 1935</ref>

Successful title defenses and boxing highlights, 1936–38

In 1936, Lewis was nearly undefeated with a record of 18–1–1.

Facing "Tiger" Fox, leading contender for his World Light Heavyweight Title, at the Armory in Spokane, Washington on January 10, 1936, Lewis gained a third-round knockout in a non-title bout. Both boxers weighed in above the required Light Heavyweight limit. Carrying the fighting to Lewis in the first round, Fox dominated with an aggressive but unpolished style. In the second, the tide turned, and Lewis let loose with a dozen long-range rights that left Fox on his knees.<ref>"Lewis Knocks Out Tiger Jack Fox", The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, p. 8, January 11, 1936</ref> In the middle of the third, Lewis uncorked three long-range rights that left Fox off balance, and then sent him to the mat with a powerful left hook to the chin that left him sprawling. His seconds had to carry him to his corner.<ref>Carried to his corner in "John Henry Lewis Kayoes Jack Fox in the Third Round", The St. Louis Star and Times, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 6, January 11, 1936</ref>

On March 6, 1936, Lewis defeated southpaw Eddie Simms in a thrilling ten-round points decision at Municipal Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri. Though fifteen pounds lighter, Lewis carried five of the ten rounds in the bitter fight. Simms took four rounds, and gave Lewis one of the toughest battles of his life. As so often occurred, Lewis cut his left eye, and had a bruised nose and mouth to show for his night's work. In the close bout, Simms appeared to be the aggressor, which caused some in the crowd of 10,840 to dispute the final ruling, but Lewis waged an exceptional defense and scored with counter punches that were clean and decisive. Lewis used stiff left jabs to throw Simms off balance, and prevented him from using his deadly right. Simms took the first two rounds, but Lewis carried four of the last six. He shone in the tenth, with a dazzling display of punching in the final minute. Though exceedingly close, both judges and the referee scored for Lewis.<ref>McGoogan, W.J., "Champion Lewis is Winner Over Simms Before 10,840 Fans", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 9, March 7, 1936</ref><ref>"Cleveland Heavy is Hero of Sensational Ten-ROund Struggle", The St. Louis Star and times, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 7, March 7, 1936</ref>

He retained the title on March 13, 1936, against Jock McAvoy in Madison Square Garden in a fifteen-round unanimous decision. Though Lewis dominated in all fifteen rounds, the majority of the crowd of 15,000, cheered for McAvoy, the game Englishman with the fast punch.<ref name="Boxrec"/> McAvoy had the ability to duck quickly like many English boxers, but he took a heavy beating from Lewis, and mounted an effective defense in only the first five rounds. With a two-inch height and reach advantage, Lewis landed more punches and had no trouble with the crouch position of McAvoy, looping blows to his head with frequency.<ref>Hughes, Ed, "Lewis Too Good For McAvoy", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, pp. 8, 24, March 14, 1936</ref> Round seven through ten clearly belonged to Lewis and greatly influenced the final decision.

Bob Godwin fell to Lewis at New York's Madison Square Garden in a technical knockout only 1:27 into the first round, on May 29, 1936. Before a tiny crowd of 2,988, Lewis batted Godwin to the mat with a stunning right cross, and after he rose unleashed a flurry of blows that forced the referee to call the fight.<ref>Conrad, Harold, "Lewis Scores 1-Round KO Over Godwin", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, p. 8, May 30, 1936</ref>

Before a sizable crowd of 10,000, Lewis won a non-title ten-round decision against George Nichols, former Light Heavyweight Champion, at Municipal Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri on August 12, 1936. Nichols staggered Lewis in the fifth with a crushing left, but Lewis piled up points in all the other rounds, and had Nichols hanging on groggily in the eighth and ninth.<ref name="Boxrec"/><ref>"Lewis Wins Verdict Over George Nichols", Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, p. 20, August 13, 1936</ref><ref>Crushing left in fifth in "Lewis Defeats Former Champ", The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 17, August 13, 1936</ref>

Red Burman, a future World Heavyweight contender, became Lewis's knockout victim 2:20 in the second round, at Chicago Stadium on October 2, 1936. Shortly after the first round opening bell, Lewis dropped Burman for a nine-count with a right to the chin, and quickly scored three more knockdowns. The referee immediately attempted to call the fight, but Burman was saved by the first round closing bell. Burman was down for a two count within a minute of the second round bell. After being floored for a nine-count, Burman arose only to go down again, and the referee called the fight.<ref>"Lewis Disposes of Burman in the Second Round", Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, p. 23, October 3, 1936</ref>

Lewis defeated British ring master, Londonite Len Harvey before an impressive audience of 11,800 in a decisive fifteen-round title decision at London's Wembley Stadium, on November 9, 1936. His attack caused Harvey to cling and clutch throughout the bout. From a slow start in the first two rounds, Lewis increased the fury of his attack using both fists in the remaining rounds, and trying hard for a knockout in the last three. Harvey was able to protect himself from a knockout in the final rounds.<ref>"John Henry Lewis Retains Light Heavyweight Crown", The Star Press Muncie, Indiana, p. 10, November 10, 1936</ref> Lewis received few injuries, but slight damage to one of his eyes, which had been partially caused during his training for the bout. The injury later proved to be serious and catastrophic to his boxing career. Harvey complained of an injured right hand after the bout.<ref>"Arizona Negro Too Clever For British Rival", The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, p. 23, November 10, 1936</ref><ref>"Lewis Defeats British Hope", Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, p. 11, November 10, 1936</ref>

On February 8, 1937, Lewis defeated Al Ettore at Convention Hall in Philadelphia in a savage fifteen-round split decision before a crowd of 13,000. In round three, Ettore was down twice for nine counts from hard rights by Lewis. In a remarkable show of determination, he came back to take the fourth by a wide margin, staggering Lewis at one point, and waging battle all over the ring. One judge ruled for a draw, while the other judge and the referee ruled for Lewis. The Philadelphia Inquirer scored only six rounds for Ettore.<ref>Lewis, Perry, "Al Down Twice in Third Round As Champ Wins", Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, p. 21, February 9, 1937</ref> The United Press gave eight rounds to Lewis, with seven for Ettore. Ettore dominated the first two rounds, doling out considerable punishment to Lewis, effectively using his eleven-pound weight advantage. He managed to win the ninth and tenth, but still was behind on points. Lewis suffered eye injuries in the eleventh round, as did Ettore.<ref>"Champion Wins Nod in Another Hard Skirmish", Mount Carmel Item, Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, p. 5, February 9, 1937</ref> Several reporters attributed Lewis's dominance in rounds thirteen through fifteen, to Ettore's growing fatigue.<ref>"Arizona Negro Floors Ettore Twice in Third", Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona, p. 10, February 9, 1937</ref><ref>Hard rights by Lewis in the third in "John Henry Lewis Outpoints Ettore", Marshfield News-Herald, Marshfield, Wisconsin, p. 9, February 9, 1937</ref> Previously on January 4, 1937, Lewis had officially lost to Ettore at Convention Hall in a ten-round decision that was later changed to a very controversial draw by the Pennsylvania Boxing Commission. Ettore likely lost the first five rounds. In the final six rounds, Ettore seemed to dominate Lewis until the final bell. Lewis seemed to take the ninth and the tenth in the close bout according to one reporter, and in the scoring of Judge Al Levit.<ref>"Al Ettore Outpoints John Henry Lewis in Philadelphia Battle", Warren Times Mirror, Warren, Pennsylvania, p. 6, January 5, 1937</ref> Most of the fans were rooting for a draw decision, which was not the official ruling.<ref>"Ettore Takes Ten Round Nod Over J. Lewis", The Times, Munster, Indiana, p. 13, January 5, 1937</ref>

Lewis won over heavyweight Willie Reddish at Griffith Stadium in Washington DC in a ten-round unanimous decision on June 29, 1937. In the eighth, ninth, and tenth, Lewis's right and left jabs to the head and a hard attack to the body wore out his opponent. After the fourth, Reddish won several rounds, when he became the aggressor, and gained the crowd's favor by appearing to take the lead throughout the bout. The crowd of 10,000 booed the decision. Lewis received damage to his eyes in the bout.<ref>"John Henry Lewis Beats Will Reddish", The Tampa Times, Tampa, Florida, p. 11, June 29, 1937</ref><ref>"Capital City Crowd Boos Lewis Victory", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, p. 3, June 29, 1937</ref>

On December 17, 1937, Lewis defeated Johnny Risko before a crowd of 5,000 in a ten-round decision in Cleveland. Risko, fighting at 35, was nearing the end of a long boxing career. Lewis built a large margin in the early rounds, but appeared to coast in the end. The Associated Press gave him nine of the ten rounds, with one even.<ref name="Boxrec"/><ref>"Risko is Beaten", The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, p. 15, December 18, 1937</ref><ref>Crowd of 5,000 in "Risko Loses But Pursues Comeback", The Marion Star, Marion, Ohio, p. 10, December 18, 1937</ref>

Lewis was undefeated in twelve bouts in 1938. He won a title bout on April 25, with a fourth-round knockout against Emilio Martinez at the Auditorium in Minneapolis. Though a title match, the fight was not recognized as a World Light Heavyweight Title bout by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).<ref name="Boxrec"/> Lewis took the offensive throughout the bout and received few blows from his opponent. His knockout blow was a straight right to the jaw of Martinez in the fourth, a punch he used once effectively in the first.<ref>"John Henry Lewis Kayoes Foe in Fourth", Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, p. 20, April 26, 1938</ref>

Elmer Ray was stopped by Lewis at Ponce de Leon Ball Park in Atlanta, Georgia in the twelfth round of a scheduled fifteen on May 19, 1938. Lewis, still reigning champion, floored Ray late in the eleventh with a punch to the kidneys, and finished him early in the twelfth. Ray, fighting with a fifteen-pound weight advantage, fought in a sideways crouch that baffled Lewis for a few rounds.<ref name="Boxrec"/><ref>"John Henry Lewis Stops Elmer Ray", The Montana Standard, Butte, Montana, p. 12, May 20, 1938</ref><ref>"Lewis Knocks Out Ray in 12th Round", The St. Louis Star and Times, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 26, May 20, 1938</ref><ref>Fought in a crouch in "Lewis Knocks Out Ray", The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach, Florida, p. 2, May 20, 1938</ref>

Stripped of the NYSAC Light Heavyweight Championship, July 1938

On July 28, 1938, the New York State Athletic Commission stripped Lewis of his title for failing to accept the challenge filed by "Tiger" Jack Fox.<ref name="Boxrec"/>

Jimmy Adamick fell to Lewis in a ten-round split decision at Convention Hall in Philadelphia on September 15, 1938.<ref name="Boxrec"/> Lewis started the first eight rounds with a commanding lead in points.Template:Citation needed In the ninth and tenth, he was at risk of losing by knockout to his heavyweight challenger, but weathered the challenge.<ref>"Adamick Loses to John Henry Lewis", The Daily Tribune, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, p. 5, December 16, 1938</ref> Lewis outboxed, and outpunched his rival in the first seven rounds, but appeared to tire in the eighth. In the ninth, he was stunned by a crushing right that appeared to leave him unconscious on his feet, before he recovered and clinched. Adamick could not land the final blow before the bell ended the round, silencing the crowd of 15,000 rooting for a knockout. In the tenth, Lewis was quickly stunned by a solid left hook to the body and retreated, but used his experience and well-timed clinches to hang on. Dodging several of Adamick's best blows, Lewis gained confidence and lashed out with stiff rights to the face before the final bell ended the match. The judges gave six rounds to Lewis, and three or four to Adamick.<ref>Webster, John, "Champ Staves Off Terrific Rally By Foe", The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, p. 25, September 16, 1938</ref><ref>Stiff rights to end the tenth in "Early Lead Disposes of Foe's Spurt", Rochester, New York, Democrat and Chronicle, p. 42, September 16, 1938</ref>

Final NBA World Light Heavyweight Title defense against Al Gainer, October 1938

On October 28, 1938, he won a fifteen-round National Boxing Association (NBA) World Light Heavyweight title decision against Al Gainer in New Haven before a crowd of only 2,486, the smallest ever assembled for a title bout in any weight class.<ref name="Boxrec"/> The fight was recognized as an NBA Light Heavyweight Title and was sanctioned by the state of Connecticut. Lewis claimed his refusal to fight Tiger Fox, the reason he was stripped of the NYSAC Light Heavyweight Title, was an economic necessity, as he knew Fox would not draw a significant audience.<ref>"Lewis Keeps Title Beating Gainer", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, p. 10, October 29, 1938</ref> Lewis won decisively, but Gainer made a stronger showing in the first twelve rounds, visibly shaking Lewis with a few of his blows. Lewis took the decision, with a strong finish in the last three heats. The local Courant gave Lewis six rounds, Gainer four, with five even. Gainer's sluggishness in the last three rounds was the result of an illness he suffered the week before the fight. There were no knockdowns in the bout.<ref>Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, p. 11, October 29, 1938</ref>

Unsuccessful attempt at the World Heavyweight Championship, January 1939

File:Joe Louis by van Vechten.jpg

Joe Louis

On January 25, 1939, Lewis attempted to become the first Light Heavyweight champion in boxing history to go up in weight and conquer the World Heavyweight championship, but lost to reigning champion Joe Louis, in a knockout 2:29 into the first round in New York's Madison Square Garden.<ref name="Boxrec"/> John Henry was down three times in less than three minutes from the lightning-fast blows of the reigning heavyweight champion.<ref>Ferguson, Harry, "Referee Stops Fight", Shamokin News-Dispatch, Shamokin, Pennsylvania, p. 12, January 26, 1939</ref> It was the only loss by knockout in Lewis's career, though his most memorable by many boxing fans.<ref name=CT>"John Henry Lewis Dead at age 59", Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, p. 58, April 19, 1974</ref>

Boxing retirement

His next fight would have been a rematch with Len Harvey in London, but it was cancelled after Lewis failed the pre-fight medical tests. The blindness in his left eye and impaired vision in his right was of primary concern and he subsequently announced his retirement aged twenty-five years old.<ref>Blind in left eye in "Lewis Refuses to Quit Ring", Oakland, California, p. 29, June 23, 1939</ref> Lewis had a record of 103 wins, 9 losses and 6 draws, with 60 wins by knockout.<ref name="Boxrec"/>

Life after boxing

Though he had always abstained from alcohol, Lewis worked as a liquor salesman for a Baltimore company near the end of his career.<ref>Dunbar, Lee, "J.H. Lewis Still Champion: Dad", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, p. 12, November 6, 1939</ref>

He had two brothers who boxed professionally; Christy and Paul. Christy was a club fighter, who often appeared in preliminary bouts before him. Paul was a Middleweight who fought feature bouts during the mid-1940s, primarily in Oakland. On an episode of the PBS show Finding Your Roots, DNA analysis proved that Christy Lewis was actor and musician LL Cool J's maternal grandfather who gave up his daughter for adoption.

Lewis died in Berkeley, California, in 1974 at the age of 59.<ref name="CT"/> He had suffered from emphysema and Parkinson's.<ref name="roots"/><ref name="CT"/>

Professional boxing record

Template:Abbr	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
117	Template:No2Loss	Template:Nowrap	Joe Louis	KO	1 (15)	Jan 25, 1939	Template:Small	Template:Small
116	Template:Yes2Win	101–10–5	Al Gainer	UD	15	Oct 28, 1938	Template:Small	Template:Small
115	Template:Yes2Win	100–10–5	Jimmy Adamick	MD	10	Sep 15, 1938	Template:Small
114	Template:Yes2Win	99–10–5	Domenico Ceccarelli	KO	3 (10)	Aug 25, 1938	Template:Small
113	Template:Yes2Win	98–10–5	Elmer Ray	KO	12 (15)	May 19, 1938	Template:Small
112	Template:Yes2Win	97–10–5	Domenico Ceccarelli	UD	10	May 5, 1938	Template:Small
111	Template:Yes2Win	96–10–5	Emilio Martinez	KO	4 (15)	Apr 25, 1938	Template:Small	Template:Small
110	Template:Yes2Win	95–10–5	Bob Tow	UD	10	Apr 4, 1938	Template:Small
109	Template:Yes2Win	94–10–5	Bud Mignault	PTS	10	Mar 25, 1938	Template:Small
108	Template:Yes2Win	93–10–5	Fred Lenhart	KO	3 (10)	Feb 11, 1938	Template:Small
107	Template:Yes2Win	92–10–5	Emil Scholz	PTS	10	Jan 31, 1938	Template:Small
106	Template:Yes2Win	91–10–5	Leroy Neblett	KO	3 (8)	Jan 20, 1938	Template:Small
105	Template:Yes2Win	90–10–5	Marty Gallagher	KO	3 (10)	Jan 18, 1938	Template:Small
104	Template:Yes2Win	89–10–5	Leonard Neblett	TKO	8 (10)	Jan 10, 1938	Template:Small
103	Template:Yes2Win	88–10–5	Johnny Risko	PTS	10	Dec 17, 1937	Template:Small
102	Template:Yes2Win	87–10–5	Isidoro Gastanaga	TKO	9 (15)	Dec 7, 1937	Template:Small
101	Template:Yes2Win	86–10–5	Salvatore Ruggirello	TKO	4 (10)	Nov 26, 1937	Template:Small
100	Template:No2Loss	85–10–5	Isidoro Gastanaga	UD	10	Oct 15, 1937	Template:Small
99	Template:Yes2Win	85–9–5	Italo Colonello	PTS	12	Aug 19, 1937	Template:Small
98	Template:Yes2Win	84–9–5	Willie Reddish	UD	10	Jun 28, 1937	Template:Small
97	Template:Yes2Win	83–9–5	Al Ettore	UD	15	Jun 15, 1937	Template:Small
96	Template:Yes2Win	82–9–5	Bob Olin	TKO	8 (15)	Jun 3, 1937	Template:Small	Template:Small
95	Template:Yes2Win	81–9–5	Jack Kranz	KO	3 (10)	May 21, 1937	Template:Small
94	Template:Yes2Win	80–9–5	Patsy Perroni	UD	10	May 14, 1937	Template:Small
93	Template:Yes2Win	79–9–5	Emilio Martinez	PTS	10	May 4, 1937	Template:Small
92	Template:Yes2Win	78–9–5	Pret Ferrar	KO	6 (10)	Apr 19, 1937	Template:Small
91	Template:Yes2Win	77–9–5	Harold Murphy	TKO	4 (10)	Apr 13, 1937	Template:Small
90	Template:Yes2Win	76–9–5	Babe Davis	KO	3 (10)	Apr 9, 1937	Template:Small
89	Template:Yes2Win	75–9–5	Don Barry	TKO	5 (10)	Apr 2, 1937	Template:Small
88	Template:Yes2Win	74–9–5	Hans Birkie	UD	10	Mar 15, 1937	Template:Small
87	Template:Yes2Win	73–9–5	Al Ettore	MD	15	Feb 8, 1937	Template:Small
86	Template:Yes2Win	72–9–5	Chester Palutis	TKO	7 (10)	Jan 28, 1937	Template:Small
85	Template:Yes2Win	71–9–5	Art Sykes	KO	6 (10)	Jan 21, 1937	Template:Small
84	Template:No2Loss	70–9–5	Al Ettore	SD	10	Jan 4, 1937	Template:Small
83	Template:Yes2Win	70–8–5	Len Harvey	PTS	15	Nov 9, 1936	Template:Small	Template:Small
82	Template:Yes2Win	69–8–5	Red Burman	TKO	2 (10)	Oct 2, 1936	Template:Small
81	Template:Yes2Win	68–8–5	Tiger Hairston	KO	1 (10)	Sep 17, 1936	Template:Small
80	Template:Yes2Win	67–8–5	George Nichols	PTS	10	Aug 12, 1936	Template:Small
79	Template:Yes2Win	66–8–5	Al Gainer	PTS	12	Jul 30, 1936	Template:Small
78	Template:Yes2Win	65–8–5	Max Marek	PTS	10	Jul 10, 1936	Template:Small
77	Template:Yes2Win	64–8–5	James Merriott	KO	3 (10)	Jun 22, 1936	Template:Small
76	Template:Yes2Win	63–8–5	Tony Shucco	TKO	8 (10)	Jun 17, 1936	Template:Small
75	Template:Yes2Win	62–8–5	Dutch Weimer	TKO	5 (10)	Jun 12, 1936	Template:Small
74	Template:Yes2Win	61–8–5	John Andersson	UD	10	Jun 8, 1936	Template:Small
73	Template:Yes2Win	60–8–5	Bob Godwin	TKO	1 (10)	May 29, 1936	Template:Small
72	Template:Yes2Win	59–8–5	Charley Massera	PTS	10	May 27, 1936	Template:Small
71	Template:Yes2Win	58–8–5	Izzy Singer	UD	10	Apr 22, 1936	Template:Small
70	Template:DrawDraw	57–8–5	George Nichols	PTS	10	Apr 7, 1936	Template:Small
69	Template:Yes2Win	57–8–4	Jock McAvoy	UD	15	Mar 13, 1936	Template:Small	Template:Small
68	Template:Yes2Win	56–8–4	Eddie Simms	PTS	10	Mar 6, 1936	Template:Small
67	Template:Yes2Win	55–8–4	Cyclone Lynch	KO	3 (10)	Jan 30, 1936	Template:Small
66	Template:No2Loss	54–8–4	Emilio Martinez	PTS	10	Jan 29, 1936	Template:Small
65	Template:Yes2Win	54–7–4	Al Stillman	TKO	4 (10)	Jan 17, 1936	Template:Small
64	Template:Yes2Win	53–7–4	Tiger Jack Fox	KO	3 (10)	Jan 10, 1936	Template:Small
63	Template:Yes2Win	52–7–4	Dutch Weimer	PTS	10	Dec 20, 1935	Template:Small
62	Template:Yes2Win	51–7–4	Coleman Johns	KO	2 (10)	Dec 19, 1935	Template:Small
61	Template:Yes2Win	50–7–4	George Simpson	TKO	2 (10)	Dec 11, 1935	Template:Small
60	Template:No2Loss	49–7–4	Maxie Rosenbloom	PTS	10	Nov 29, 1935	Template:Small
59	Template:Yes2Win	49–6–4	Bob Olin	UD	15	Oct 31, 1935	Template:Small	Template:Small
58	Template:No2Loss	48–6–4	Abe Feldman	PTS	10	Jul 24, 1935	Template:Small
57	Template:No2Loss	48–5–4	Maxie Rosenbloom	PTS	10	Jul 17, 1935	Template:Small
56	Template:Yes2Win	48–4–4	Lou Poster	TKO	5 (10)	Jul 8, 1935	Template:Small
55	Template:Yes2Win	47–4–4	Izzy Singer	KO	1 (10)	Jun 24, 1935	Template:Small
54	Template:Yes2Win	46–4–4	Tom Patrick	KO	1 (10)	Jun 3, 1935	Template:Small
53	Template:Yes2Win	45–4–4	Frank Rowsey	PTS	10	May 10, 1935	Template:Small
52	Template:Yes2Win	44–4–4	Bob Olin	PTS	10	Apr 12, 1935	Template:Small
51	Template:Yes2Win	43–4–4	Emilio Martinez	UD	10	Mar 13, 1935	Template:Small
50	Template:Yes2Win	42–4–4	Terry Mitchell	TKO	6 (10)	Mar 4, 1935	Template:Small
49	Template:Yes2Win	41–4–4	Frank Wotanski	KO	3 (10)	Feb 25, 1935	Template:Small
48	Template:Yes2Win	40–4–4	Don Petrin	KO	7 (10)	Jan 29, 1935	Template:Small
47	Template:Yes2Win	39–4–4	Tony Shucco	UD	10	Dec 14, 1934	Template:Small
46	Template:Yes2Win	38–4–4	Yale Okun	TKO	3 (10)	Nov 23, 1934	Template:Small
45	Template:No2Loss	37–4–4	James J. Braddock	PTS	10	Nov 16, 1934	Template:Small
44	Template:Yes2Win	37–3–4	Earl Wise	KO	3 (10)	Oct 31, 1934	Template:Small
43	Template:Yes2Win	36–3–4	Pietro Georgi	KO	3 (10)	Oct 17, 1934	Template:Small
42	Template:DrawDraw	35–3–4	Don Barry	PTS	10	Oct 3, 1934	Template:Small
41	Template:DrawDraw	35–3–3	Young Firpo	PTS	10	Sep 20, 1934	Template:Small	Template:Small
40	Template:Yes2Win	35–3–2	Norman Conrad	PTS	10	Sep 12, 1934	Template:Small
39	Template:Yes2Win	34–3–2	Tony Poloni	RTD	1 (15)	Sep 3, 1934	Template:Small
38	Template:Yes2Win	33–3–2	Sandy Garrison Casanova	TKO	3 (10)	Apr 9, 1934	Template:Small
37	Template:Yes2Win	32–3–2	Bobby Brown	KO	1 (10)	Feb 9, 1934	Template:Small
36	Template:Yes2Win	31–3–2	Frank Rowsey	PTS	10	Oct 31, 1933	Template:Small
35	Template:Yes2Win	30–3–2	Maxie Rosenbloom	PTS	10	Jul 31, 1933	Template:Small
34	Template:Yes2Win	29–3–2	Maxie Rosenbloom	PTS	10	Jul 10, 1933	Template:Small
33	Template:DrawDraw	28–3–2	Fred Lenhart	PTS	10	Jun 16, 1933	Template:Small
32	Template:Yes2Win	28–3–1	Tom Patrick	PTS	10	May 15, 1933	Template:Small
31	Template:Yes2Win	27–3–1	Emmett Rocco	TKO	7 (10)	Apr 7, 1933	Template:Small
30	Template:Yes2Win	26–3–1	Tuffy Dial	KO	4 (10)	Dec 9, 1932	Template:Small
29	Template:No2Loss	25–3–1	Maxie Rosenbloom	PTS	10	Nov 16, 1932	Template:Small
28	Template:Yes2Win	25–2–1	Lou Scozza	UD	10	Oct 26, 1932	Template:Small
27	Template:Yes2Win	24–2–1	Fred Lenhart	TKO	4 (10)	Oct 5, 1932	Template:Small
26	Template:Yes2Win	23–2–1	James J. Braddock	PTS	10	Sep 21, 1932	Template:Small
25	Template:Yes2Win	22–2–1	Jimmy Hanna	TKO	6 (10)	Jul 29, 1932	Template:Small
24	Template:Yes2Win	21–2–1	Pietro Georgi	KO	1 (10)	Jul 13, 1932	Template:Small
23	Template:Yes2Win	20–2–1	Yale Okun	PTS	10	Apr 22, 1932	Template:Small
22	Template:Yes2Win	19–2–1	Sammy Bass	TKO	1 (4)	Mar 23, 1932	Template:Small
21	Template:Yes2Win	18–2–1	Schoolboy	KO	3 (6)	Nov 27, 1931	Template:Small
20	Template:Yes2Win	17–2–1	Kid Valdon	TKO	3 (10)	Oct 9, 1931	Template:Small
19	Template:Yes2Win	16–2–1	Joe Arciniega	KO	5 (8)	Sep 14, 1931	Template:Small
18	Template:Yes2Win	15–2–1	Roy Guinn	KO	4 (10)	Jul 13, 1931	Template:Small	Template:Small
17	Template:Yes2Win	14–2–1	Lloyd Phelps	PTS	8	Jul 1, 1931	Template:Small	Template:Small
16	Template:Yes2Win	13–2–1	Herb Coleman	PTS	4	Jun 25, 1931	Template:Small
15	Template:Yes2Win	12–2–1	Soldier Hicks	PTS	6	Jun 10, 1931	Template:Small
14	Template:Yes2Win	11–2–1	Evans Fortune	KO	3 (6)	May 29, 1931	Template:Small
13	Template:Yes2Win	10–2–1	Tony Cadena	KO	1 (6)	May 15, 1931	Template:Small
12	Template:Yes2Win	9–2–1	Sam Terrin	KO	3 (10)	Mar 11, 1931	Template:Small	Template:Small
11	Template:Yes2Win	8–2–1	Bobby Richardson	KO	2 (?)	Feb 6, 1931	Template:Small
10	Template:Yes2Win	7–2–1	Palmleaf Wright	KO	2 (?)	Jan 30, 1931	Template:Small
9	Template:Yes2Win	6–2–1	Roy Guinn	PTS	10	Jan 2, 1931	Template:Small
8	Template:Yes2Win	5–2–1	Tall Johnson	KO	1 (6)	Oct 30, 1930	Template:Small
7	Template:No2Loss	4–2–1	Palmleaf Wright	DQ	2 (6)	Oct 23, 1930	Template:Small
6	Template:Yes2Win	4–1–1	Leo Davis	KO	1 (4)	Oct 16, 1930	Template:Small
5	Template:DrawDraw	3–1–1	Dynamite Hunter	PTS	6	Jan 17, 1930	Template:Small
4	Template:Yes2Win	3–1	Battling MacGregor	PTS	4	Jan 3, 1930	Template:Small
3	Template:Yes2Win	2–1	Young Tiger Flowers	PTS	4	Nov 22, 1929	Template:Small
2	Template:Yes2Win	1–1	Jake Henderson	PTS	4	Apr 17, 1929	Template:Small
1	Template:No2Loss	0–1	Buster Grant	PTS	4	Jan 18, 1929	Template:Small

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

• NYSAC light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)
• NBA (WBA) light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)

The Ring magazine titles

• The Ring light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)

Regional/International titles

• Arizona State middleweight champion (160 lbs)

Undisputed titles

• Undisputed light heavyweight champion

Primary boxing achievements

Lewis was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

Film depictions

Lewis is portrayed by Troy Amos-Ross in the 2005 Braddock biopic film Cinderella Man.

See also

• List of light heavyweight boxing champions

External links

• Template:Boxrec
• John Henry Lewis Bio from CBZ