Is this the most influential person in boxing history?

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In the US, boxing is a religion. The biggest events in history are on American soil, many of the greats in the sport are from America and the biggest money in boxing is also in the USA. But if it wasn't for one person, maybe across the Ocean there wouldn't be such a craze for fist fights. And his name is Joe Lewis.

The Brown Bomber, as the lightweight boxer is nicknamed, is one of the most memorable names in boxing. In his memorable career, he is the holder of a number of titles and achievements, and perhaps the most impressive of them is that he was champion in the division for a full 12 years - in the period 1937 - 1949. His career has been full of triumphs, recording 66 victories in 69 fights, 52 of which came by knockout. But it's not his incredible records that make him the most inspirational and influential boxer in the history of the sport. At least in the US.

Recognized by "Bleacher Report" as the most influential person in boxing history, Joe Lewis became one of the few people of color behind whom the entire nation rallied. This happens because of his fight against Max Schmeling in 1938. And the reason Joe becomes a national unifier is the impending war.

Before the fight between the two, which is actually a rematch, Lewis is invited to the White House, where the current President Franklin Roosevelt welcomes him with the words: "We will need muscles like yours to defeat the Nazis."

For the first time in history, white and black people are united by one goal – to support the boxer in his attempt to defeat Schmeling. The unexpected unification was one of the first signs in US history that a country without a racist presence was possible.

On June 22, 1938, the two faced each other, but the match ended after just two minutes and four seconds. Over 70,000 at Yankee Stadium and millions of listeners on the radio watched with interest, but the clash was one-sided - while Schmeling threw only two punches in the entire fight, Lewis knocked his opponent down three times, and after the last one, the German's trainer threw a white towel in the ring as a sign of surrender - a victory for Lewis and all the Americans are ecstatic.

That fight and that victory is considered the most historic boxing event of all time, and history points to Joe Lewis as the man who inspired thousands of children and young adults to flock to boxing gyms in search of their memorable moment in the ring. And with this triumph began the long dominance of the USA in boxing. Although racial tensions in the United States would later reach new highs, it was then, in 1938, that the nation was united for the first time. Thanks to a boxer. And that's an absolute testament to the kind of influence Joe Lewis has had.