Patriot and Morale Booster Louis held the world heavyweight title for 12 years


	Louis held the world heavyweight title for 12 years, through 24 bouts, longer than anyone before or since. When the United States entered World War II, Louis enlisted in the Army. "Might be a lot wrong with America but nothing Hitler can fix," he said. He fought exhibition matches to raise money for the Armed Services and boost morale for the troops. He made donations to military relief funds. Historian Jeffrey Sammons says, "Joe Louis set a stunning example through his acts of patriotism, and even the South responded appreciatively." As a soldier, Louis traveled more than 21,000 miles and staged 96 boxing exhibitions before two million soldiers. Louis came out of the Army on Oct. 1, 1945

Famed referee Ruby Goldstein also had a distinguished career as a fighter. Born on the East Side of New York in 1907, Goldstein learned to box at the Henry Street Settlement House and started boxing in amateur tournaments at the age of sixteen. He turned pro in 1925 with a second-round knockout of Al Vano. He was nicknamed "the Jewel of the Ghetto."

.Goldstein won his first 23 fights before Ace Hudkins knocked him out and he compiled an early record of 50 wins in 55 bouts. However, after losing five fights by knockout, including one to Hall of Famer Jimmy McLarnin, Goldstein realized that he didn't have what it took to become a champion. Nevertheless, he continued to fight until 1937, retiring after winning a decision over Kid Bon Bon.

After leaving the ring, Goldstein remained on the fringes of boxing, and he also managed a pool hall. He started to referee while in the Army during World War II. He served as referee when Joe Louis fought exhibitions at military installations.

After his discharge, Goldstein continued to officiate. His first heavyweight title fight was the first Joe Louis-Jersey Joe Walcott match. Goldstein scored the fight for Walcott, while the two judges scored the fight in Louis's favor. Many observers thought that Walcott had won. When Louis was asked about Goldstein's scoring, he replied, "I know Ruby. He calls 'em like he sees 'em."

Louis's comment helped build Goldstein's reputation and, from then on, he officiated at many important fights, including the first Zale-Graziano match and the Robinson-Maxim light heavyweight championship fight (where the 104° heat conquered Goldstein in the tenth round and Robinson in the fourteenth). Goldstein officiated for the Emile Griffith-Benny ("Kid") Paret fight in which Paret was killed in the ring. That event bothered Goldstein greatly, and he retired after working one more fight.

Goldstein worked for longtime employer Schenley Distillers and wrote a column for The Ring, before retiring to Miami Beach. He died on April 22, 1984.