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Because he had been down on his luck in his last years and had died in poverty, his funeral was paid for by his most famous rival (and later friend), German boxer Max Schmeling.

He fought several championship bouts where he donated his share of the purse (winnings) to both Army and Naval relief services. However, the Internal Revenue Service didn't credit him with a charitable contribution. This led to tax problems for years This injustice was later rectified by an Act of Congress; forgiving him all outstanding liabilities.

World Heavyweight boxing champion, 1937-49. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1990.

His reign as heavyweight champion (12 years) is a boxing record that stands in all weight divisions. He fought so many bad opponents that they were dubbed the "Bum of the Month" tour.

Americans tend to pronounce his second name as "Lewis", whereas Europeans tend to pronounce it "Loo-e." Curiously enough, Louis Armstrong is universally referred to as "Loo-e" Armstrong even though, in one of the lines in the lyrics to his classic, "Hello Dolly," one can clearly hear Armstrong sing, "Hello Dolly, this is 'Lewis', Dolly...".