The History Channel is expanding its lineup of documentaries with Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling (working title), a two-hour film about the iconic boxing matches between the two heavyweight champions. This project joins the previously announced Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning.
Here’s the Lowdown: The documentary, produced in partnership with UNINTERRUPTED (LeBron James’s company) and GroupM Motion Entertainment, will explore the lives and careers of African American boxer Joe Louis and German boxer Max Schmeling. It focuses on their two legendary fights, which took place against the backdrop of rising tensions before World War II.
What This Means Now: This announcement shows The History Channel’s continued commitment to telling diverse stories. The documentary will not only cover the sporting aspect of the Louis-Schmeling rivalry but also the wider social and political context, highlighting how the fights became symbolic of the conflict between the US and Nazi Germany.
The Bigger Picture: The Louis-Schmeling fights were more than just boxing matches; they represented a clash of ideologies. The documentary explores how these two athletes, despite coming from very different backgrounds, formed an unexpected friendship. It also highlights the previously announced documentary “Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning” about the legendary Olympian, which is also due to air. The two documentaries will be distributed worldwide by A+E Networks.
