Abraham Simon (May 30, 1913 – October 24, 1969), 6′-4″, was an American professional heavyweight boxer. After retiring he became an actor and appeared in films such as On the Waterfront, Never Love a Stranger and Requiem for a Heavyweight, and a number of live dramas during the early days of television. Simon won his first 14 fights, 12 by knockout. His overall record was 36 win, 25 KO; 10 loss, 4 KO; 1 draw.
Simon’s first loss by TKO was to 6′-6″ Buddy Baer. He also lost by TKO to 6′-2″ Lem Franklin. Simon twice unsuccessfully challenged Joe Louis (6′-2″) for the Heavyweight Title. On his first attempt he was stopped by TKO in 13 rounds at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium on March 21, 1941. In his second attempt, on March 27, 1942 he lost by TKO this time in six rounds at Madison Square Garden. That was Simon’s final bout. He is the last Jewish boxer to fight for the Heavyweight Title.
Joe Louis vs. Abe Simon 1 (3/21/1941)
Simon looked fairly imbalanced and did not display the usual confidence seen in a fighter, especially one fighting a champion like Joe Louis. He was understandably cautious in getting too close to Louis, but he seemed to have little experience in knowing how best for fight a boxer of Joe Louis’ skill. Simon was a large guy and in many ways in fighting Louis this was a disadvantage. He withstood the power of Louis’ punches, but only only knows that that would last but so long. It’s all in the timing and Louis knew when to go in for the kill. Joe Louis 202 lbs beat Abe Simon 254½ lbs by TKO at 1:20 in round 13 of 20.
But there was one heavyweight who interested me. He was a friend of my father and of my father’s brother, Harold. From his teens, he had a reputation as a tough guy. He played high school football and once broke the leg of a wide receiver. He weighted 260 pounds and was 6’-4”. His name was Abe Simon and he got to fight Joe Louis twice for the heavyweight championship in the early 1940’s. The high point of Abe’s career was knocking out heavyweight contender Jersey Joe Walcott, who years later, in 1949, became the champ. When Abe knocked out Walcott, he advanced to being the heavyweight contender, who led to his bouts in 1941 and 1942 with Joe Louis.
In 1942 became the last Jewish fighter to fight for the Heavyweight Title.
From Tough Guys No More (A Memoir) and The Big Man, by Jeffrey Sussman
Joe Louis vs. Abe Simon 2 (3/27/1942)
More of the same as he experienced in their first bout, Simon went as many rounds as he could against Louis. He was into the bout, but not up to the challenge. Joe Louis 207½ lbs beat Abe Simon 255¼ lbs by TKO at 0:16 in round 6 of 15.
The View from Inside and Outside the Ropes 
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