Ask Anne: Who Were the First 3 Continental Europeans Ever to Win the Heavyweight Title?

By Anne “Boxologist” Whitlock

Max Schmeling was born in Germany, and won the title in 1930. Primo Carnera was Italian, and won the title in 1933. Ingemar Johansson was Swedish, and won the title in 1959. Luis Firpo was from Argentina! Georges Carpentier, though French, NEVER won the heavyweight title. Paulino Uzcudun – a Spaniard – never won the title either.