Joe Louis was the 10-to-1 favorite over the German boxer Max Schmeling before their first bout on June 19, 1936. Each man was fighting for a shot at the world heavyweight boxing championship.

Fighting under the name Joe Louis, so his mother wouldn't find out ... sixth-round TKO of Primo Carnera and a fourth-round KO of Max Baer, both former heavyweight champions.

Joe Louis and Max Schmeling were respected athletes in their own nations and celebrities around the world. And they shared a few famous acquaintances. Take a look at Louis and Schmeling's ...