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
Paddy Driscoll’s Almost Perfect Season
Back at the beginning of the National Football League in 1920, one of the
Historical Sporting Events That Helped Shape the Sports Betting Industry
The sports betting industry is massive. A multi-billion-dollar industry. So big, in fact, that
Top Five Matches in Table Tennis History
“Ping Pong” has a rich and fascinating history that is over a century old.
John Davis: An American Weightlifting Legend
When I first started competing in Olympic Weightlifting in 1981, I wanted to learn
Football Evolution: From English Fields to American Stadiums
Football, a sport cherished by millions, boasts a history that crosses continents and cultures.
Sports Betting: A Journey Through Time and Technology
How did placing a bet on your favorite sports team become so popular? Sports
Remembering Two Great NFL Playoff Games of the 1970s
There were a couple of very competitive playoff games in the NFL during the
The Birth of the NFL: Revisiting Sports History’s Most Iconic Moments
The National Football League’s journey began modestly in an Ohio car dealership. A group