Entitled: "Joe Louis looks for an opening during boxing match with Max Schmeling." In 1936 Louis was ranked the #1 contender in the heavyweight division and had won the Associated Press' "Athlete of the Year" award for 1935. What was considered to be a final tune-up bout before an eventual title shot was scheduled for June 1936 against former World Heavyweight Champion Max Schmeling. Although a former champion, Schmeling was not considered a threat to Louis. Schmeling prepared intently for the bout. He had studied Louis's style and believed he had found a weakness. By exploiting Louis's habit of dropping his left hand low after a jab, Schmeling handed Louis his first professional loss by knocking him out in Round 12 at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 1936.