July 3, 1931 – A large sporting event pitting a German against an American in between the World Wars ended up being the first major fight broadcast live on national radio. German boxer Max Schmeling defeated American Young Stribling by Technical Knock Out in 15 rounds in a bout fought in Cleveland, Ohio in his first heavyweight title defense.
Schmeling was the heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 were worldwide cultural events because of their national impact on the two world powers they represented. Schmeling is in the history books as the only boxer to have ever won the world heavyweight championship on a foul.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Top 10 Overall Number One Draft Picks – NBA and ABA
Welcome to the Total Sports Recall podcast as on this episode we move to

How Does Luis de la Fuente’s Spain Compare to the 2010 World Cup Winners?
Spain are world champions again. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra-time as

1970s Rivalry (Pittsburgh Steelers v. Dallas Cowboys)
The Pittsburgh Steelers, then known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, joined the NFL in 1933.

Could the Heartland Support Another Women’s Professional Basketball League?
Every great idea begins with a simple question. What if? What if another women’s

Discover Formula 1 from the Grandstands
Watching Formula 1 from the grandstands changes how the sport is understood. The pace,

Behind “The Game That Would Be King” With Author Brendan Murphy
The Game That Would Be King: The Uncharted History of Soccer 800 – 1800

NBA Casino Sponsorships: Full History & 2026 Deal Guide
Inside the NBA Casino Sponsorship Boom For most of its history, the NBA treated

The First Gridiron Game
This article was originally published by the Pro Football Researchers Association. You can find