http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/more...ex.html?cnn=yes

All I have to say is that Max Schmeling was an amazing man.

If you ever get the chance to read Joe Louis' autobiography then go for it. It's a great book. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books

I had watched the PBS documentary on Joe Louis Just last week.

I know nothing of Schmellings later life. He did appear to be a turncoat oppurtunist who screwed his friends when the Nazis were gaining control.

For the Head of State of Germany to have the balls to say he was a shiny example of Humanity, in Israel, I must be missing something. He was brought to fame by the Jewish community, embraced the Nazis and turned his back on them.

99 is a long time to live. Maybe the last 60 years were redeeming.

It's difficult to say what the real story was about a lot of people who lived in Germany in the WWII era. Schmeling has been hailed for helping save two Jewish teenagers and for refusing to fire his Jewish American manager as Hitler requested. I'm sure he didn't do all he could do for the good fight but how much can we expect from one man.

Joe Louis seemed to possess a genuine affection for the man.

Little known fact about me: I'm a boxing fan. I used to be the ring announcer for AAU and Golden Gloves boxing when I was in high school.

Boxing fan too...I boxed some in my younger days (in the Miami area) and have a lopsided nose to show for it. My badge of honor!

Now I get to endlessly bore folks with stories of my glory days. They seem to be a bit more embellished each time I tell 'em!