Look Who it Was Random video

Joe Louis vs Lee Ramage II 21.2.1935 (2nd Rd TKO)

1,595 views · Published 7 July 2017 · 1:13 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: Classic Boxing Matches · 2017 · Sports

Watch on YouTube

The rematch between Joe Louis and seasoned veteran Lee Ramage.  Louis had stopped Ramage in December of 1934 via TKO in round 8 and this rematch would bring about one of Louis' most devastating KO's ever!  A testament to just how powerful and dangerous this fighter truly was.  More info below  

Joe Louis had only turned pro in July of 1934 but had already racked up 11 wins in a row by the time he first met Lee Ramage in December 1934.  After defeating Ramage in round 8 by TKO, he went on to beat other ring veterans Patsy Perroni and Hans Birkie both by comfortable unanimous decisions.  He entered the rematch with Ramage holding a 14-0 record.

Lee Ramage had been boxing professionally since 1929 and started as a light heavyweight.  Although Ramage started his career with a handful of KO wins, as the level of his competition increased more and more fights ended up going the distance.  Ramage was know as a clever boxer however and had sound skills to hold his own against some of the most experienced boxers of the era.  Throughout 1931 Ramage had a 3 fight series against Sandy Garrison Casanova, drawing the first fight, losing the second  and then winning the third to claim the USA California State Light Heavyweight title.  Ramage had the title stripped from him in his next fight as he failed to make the light heavyweight weight limit but in 1932 he would end up winning the USA California State Heavyweight title from "The Nebraska Wildcat" Ace Hudkins.  Ramage would go on to successfully defend the title against undefeated Steve Hamas a month later before the title was stripped from him again for not defending.  Over the next 2 1/2 years Ramage would go on to beat Tuffy Griffiths, KO Christner, Babe Hunt, Unknown Winston, Don 'Red' Barry and his biggest scalp, reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion, Maxie Rosenbloom... TWICE!  Ramage had also lost though to King Levinsky, Art Lasky, Tony Shucco and Steve Hamas in rematches among others.  Out of his then 8 losses however only 1 was by KO and that came in 1930 against Jimmy Hanna thanks to a broken jaw.  When Ramage first met Louis many people saw him as the first real test for the young up and coming heavyweight.  Ramage had the skill and experience to cause a huge upset and although Ramage did test the young "Brown Bomber", the fight was eventually stopped in Rd 8 when Ramage's corner threw in the towel.  Ramage's record entering the rematch with Louis was still a respectable 40-9-5.

Louis was in complete control during the rematch.  Ramage was trying to use his jab and slick foot movement to avoid the shuffling Louis.  Louis however was nonplussed by Ramage's weak jabs and had no fear of coming forward to take a shot to give a shot.  In rd 2 Louis caught a retreating Ramage with a solid right to the jaw that dropped him to canvas for a count of 9.  Ramage was obviously hurt when he rose to his feet so Louis went looking for the kill throwing haymaker lefts and rights as he continually chased Ramage around the ropes but Ramage did a good job of avoiding most of the shots... for a while.  The end came so swiftly and unexpectedly that it caught many by surprise.  A single, snapping left hook whizzed out of nowhere and caught Ramage flush on the jaw knocking him out cold.  Ramage's corner threw in the towel before the count reached 10 for a TKO.  

Although it was a huge loss for Ramage, he took 13 months off from the sport before mounting a semi-successful comeback in 1936, going undefeated in 9 fights.  1937 was the beginning of the end for Ramage however as he would lose back to back fights against Bob Nestell and old foe Maxie Rosenbloom.  Ramage had 2 opportunities to win back his USA California State Heavyweight title from Lou Nova in 1938 but was unsuccessful on both occasions, receiving a draw and a loss respectively.  Ramage had his last fight in February 1939, a draw against the practically unknown Yancey Henry.  Ramage saw the writing on the wall and wisely retired with a 49-14-9 record.

More from this channel