Joe Louis stops Billy Conn in their long-awaited rematch

Joe Louis knocked out Billy Conn in the eighth round before 45,266 spectators at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 1946, settling their celebrated rivalry five years after Conn had come within two seconds of the title. Louis's heavyweight championship reign — 11 years, 8 months, 26 total defenses — remained the longest and most successful in boxing history. As 'The Brown Bomber,' he remained an icon of Black achievement throughout the decade.