A decoration for "Maxe": At a ceremony on the occasion of his 65th birthday Max Schmeling, Germany's greatest boxing idol, was presented with the 'Bundesverdienstkreuz" (the Government's hightest decoration) by the West German Minister of the Interior, Hans-Dietrich Genscher. In the speech of the day "Maxe" was called the "most popular sportsman of the century." In June 1936 Max Schmeling defeated the American boxer Joe Louis by k.o. and was herewith world heavy-weight champion. Photo shows Max Schmeling (r) demonstrating his way of boxing to the West German Minister of the Interior, Hans-Dietrich Genscher(1).
Photo measures 8.5 x 6.25 inches.
Photo is dated 9-30-1970.
Photo back:
