Donald Trump has received calls to issue a presidential pardon to a boxing legend who lost ‘every dollar he earned’.
Since returning to the office at the start of this year, Trump has frequently used the pardon – one of the key powers granted to the US President under the Constitution.
The presidential pardon allows the president to ‘reprieve and pardon’ individuals for all federal criminal offences, except in cases of impeachment, effectively wiping away the legal punishment for a crime.
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Several high-profile figures have received pardons so far during Trump’s time in office.
Just last month, UK billionaire Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, received an official pardon.
Rapper NBA YoungBoy whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was pardoned in May, while reality television couple Julie and Todd Chrisley were pardoned in the same month.
Now, Trump has received a petition from the World Boxing Council (WBC) to pardon former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis over his past tax debts.
Louis reigned as the heavyweight champion from 1937 until 1949, winning an astonishing 25 consecutive title defences – a record across all weight classes.
During that time, he established himself as one of the greatest boxers in history.
He temporarily retired from the sport in 1949, but was forced to return soon after as he owed the government more than $500,000.
Louis returned to fight Ezzard Charles in 1950, aged 36, but only 22,357 spectators turned up at Yankee Stadium, meaning he earned just over $100,000.
He was forced to continue fighting and was eventually knocked out by undefeated heavyweight contender Rocky Marciano in 1951, bringing an end to his boxing career.
Now, at a general session meeting at the WBC Convention, close family friend, Frank Garza spoke about the difficult final years of Louis’ life.
Speaking about the debts, he told BoxingScene: “It became virtually unpayable.”
He claimed the IRS collection pursuit was so relentless that Louis had to give over every dollar he earned in an attempt to settle the debt.
The financial strain continued right until the final years of his life.
Frank Sinatra even helped Louis secure a job as a greeter at Caesars Palace, where he worked until his death in 1981.
Meanwhile, WBC attorney Robert Lenhardt spoke about the impact Louis had on American sport and his role in breaking down racial barriers.
Lenhardt believes Louis should also receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honour that can be given to an American citizen.
He added that the WBC is “hopeful to receive a signed document shortly” which will inform the organisation and Louis’ family of the outcome regarding the requests for pardon, forgiveness of the debt and the award.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman added: “We are very much looking forward to this great moment of justice.”
