Walter Neusel

Walter Neusel (November 25, 1907 – October 3, 1964) was a German heavyweight boxer. During his career he held the distinction of being recognized as German Heavyweight Champion.[1] Statistical boxing website BoxRec rates Neusel as the sixth best German boxer ever across all weight divisions.[2]

Walter Neusel
Statistics
Real nameWalter Neusel
Nickname(s)Der Blonde Tiger
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
NationalityGerman
Born(1907-11-25)November 25, 1907
Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen
DiedOctober 3, 1964(1964-10-03) (aged 56)
Berlin
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights90
Wins68
Wins by KO36
Losses13
Draws9
No contests0

Professional career

Neusel turned professional in 1930, racking up a 32–0–2 record before experiencing his first lost against Belgian pugilist Pierre Charles via points decision.[3] During this period, Neusel scored wins over top European heavyweight contenders Gipsy Daniels (twice) and Larry Gains. In 1933, Neusel followed his contemporary Max Schmeling to America, where he became popular due to his aggressive style.[3] In 1934, he defeated King Levinsky and the future Hall of Famer Tommy Loughran. These accomplishments earned him a ranking as one of the Ring Magazine's Top 10 heavyweights, setting up a bout with Schmeling for European supremacy.[3]

First bout with Schmeling

On August 26, 1934 in Hamburg came a very important match for European boxing, Neusel against Schmeling. The venue was the dirt track facility in the immediate vicinity of Hagenbeck Zoo, which boxing promoter Walter Rothenburg had rebuilt within a few weeks in a rushed manner.[4] Though the audience figures vary from 90,000–102,000 it was unquestionably the largest number of spectators in German history.[5] Neusel lost the match via ninth round technical knockout, putting up a valiant effort but ultimately being outclassed by Schmeling.

European contender

After the Schmeling fight, Neusel held another future Hall of Famer in Len Harvey to a 12 round draw. Following up with back-to-back victories over Welsh contender Jack Petersen.[6] In 1935, Neusel returned to America to face former Heavyweight World Title holder Primo Carnera; losing the bout via fourth round knockout.[6] He then returned to Europe and beat South African challenger Ben Foord twice, with both wins sandwiched around a loss to Tommy Farr.[7]

World War II era & later career

In 1940, Neusel won the German Heavyweight title against Arno Kölblin in Berlin.[8] He lost the title to Heinz Lazek in the latter part of 1940, but regained it against Adolf Heuser in 1942. He lost it for the last time against Hein ten Hoff in 1946.[8] In 1948, Neusel had a rematch with arch-rival Schmeling, 14 years after the initial encounter. This time Neusel prevailed with a points decision victory over 12 rounds.[1] Neusel retired after a knockout loss to Conny Rux in 1950.[1]

Notable bouts
Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes[1]
Loss Conny Rux KO 5 (10) 1950-03-18 Funkturmhalle, Westend Berlin
Draw Hein ten Hoff PTS 12 1949-09-18 Reiterstadion, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Win Max Schmeling PTS 10 1948-05-23 Sportplatz, Altona, Hamburg
Loss Hein ten Hoff KO 7 (12) 1947-10-15 HSV Platz, Hamburg For German BDB Heavyweight Title
Loss Hein ten Hoff PTS 12 1946-08-03 HSV Sportplatz Rothenbaum, Hamburg Lost German BDB Heavyweight Title
Win Adolf Heuser TKO 9 (12) 1942-09-06 Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Hamburg Won German BDB Heavyweight Title
Draw Adolf Heuser PTS 12 1942-06-27 Union Sportplatz, Hamburg For German BDB Heavyweight Title
Loss Heinz Lazek PTS 12 1941-10-26 Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Hamburg For German BDB Heavyweight Title
Win Arno Kölblin PTS 10 1941-04-27 Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Hamburg
Win Adolf Heuser TKO 9 (10) 1941-01-26 Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Hamburg
Loss Heinz Lazek PTS 12 1940-11-03 Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin Lost German BDB Heavyweight Title
Win Arno Kölblin PTS 12 1940-06-22 Eisstadion, Friedrichshain, Berlin Retained German BDB Heavyweight Title
Win Arno Kölblin PTS 12 1938-11-11 Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Hamburg Won German BDB Heavyweight Title
Loss Heinz Lazek PTS 15 1938-09-16 Ice Rink, Vienna For EBU Heavyweight Title
Win Heinz Lazek PTS 12 1938-07-16 Schwebenhalle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
Win Ben Foord DQ 8 (12) 1938-04-16 Hanseatenhalle, Hamburg
Loss Tommy Farr KO 3 (12) 1937-06-15 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London
Win Jack Petersen TKO 10 (12) 1937-02-01 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London
Win Ben Foord PTS 15 1936-11-18 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London
Loss Primo Carnera TKO 4 (10)) 1935-11-01 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win Jack Petersen TKO 12 (12) 1935-06-25 Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London
Win Jack Petersen TKO 11 (15) 1935-02-04 Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Draw Len Harvey PTS 12 1934-11-26 Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Loss Max Schmeling KO 9 (15) 1934-08-26 Sandbahn Lokstedt, Hamburg
Win Tommy Loughran SD 10 1934-05-04 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win King Levinsky PTS 10 1934-03-09 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win Gipsy Daniels PTS 10 1932-11-26 Festhalle, Frankfurt, Hessen
Win Larry Gains UD 10 1932-10-17 Salle Wagram, Paris
Win Gipsy Daniels PTS 10 1931-07-31 Sportplatz Allee Altona, Altona, Hamburg
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References
  1. Walter Neusel's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  2. All-Time Pound-for-Pound Rankings (Germany). BoxRec.com. Retrieved on May 18, 2014.
  3. Walter Neusel der "blonde Tiger" von der Dorneburg Wanne-EickelHistory.de Retrieved on April 30, 2014
  4. Schmeling (1977), p. 286
  5. Schmeling (1977), p. 287
  6. WALTER NEUSEL UND DER MEGAKAMPF GEGEN SCHMELING Boxen.de Retrieved on April 30, 2014
  7. Walter Neusel – German Boxer Munzinger.de Retrieved on April 30, 2014
  8. WALTER NEUSEL, 56, GERMAN BOXER, DIES NYTimes.com Retrieved on April 30, 2014

Bibliography
  • Schmeling, Max (1977). Erinnerungen. Frankfurt/Berlin: Ullstein. ISBN 978-3-5482-7508-6.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Arno Kölblin		 German BDB Heavyweight Champion
November 11, 1938 – November 3, 1940		 Succeeded by
Heinz Lazek
Preceded by
Adolf Heuser		 German BDB Heavyweight Champion
June 27, 1942 – August 3, 1946		 Succeeded by
Hein ten Hoff
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