Max Schmeling More Than Just a Fighter

I will never forget the fight when Max Schmeling defeated Joe Louis for the world heavyweight title.

Here was a German, who we thought to be a friend of Hitler, the new heavyweight champion of the world. I can still remember the newsreels showing Hitler jumping for joy at the results of that boxing match.

And now, we learn, after all these years, that Max Schmeling was a friend to the Jews, risking his life to protect a few Jewish fans and friends, in particular Henri Lewin.

Max Schmeling truly was a great sportsman, with love and respect in his heart for his fellow man.

May he live to be 100.

PHILLIP HABERSMAN

Torrance