Joe Louis KOs Red Burman This Day January 31, 1941 and Retains Heavyweight Crown
- Joe Louis 202½ lbs
- Red Burman 188 lbs
- KO at 2:49 in round 5 of 15
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Frank Fullam
- World Heavyweight Championship (13th defense by Louis)
Three terrific blows to the body left Red Burman draped over the bottom rope, gasping for breath through contorted lips and helpless to move, but before he went out last night the Baltimore battler put up a fight that thrilled the crowd and won a genuine compliment from Champion Joe Louis.
“He’s the only fighter besides Galento who tried to take my title away from me,” volunteered the big negro. “He really came after me. I had to hit him the hardest I ever hit a man.”
The big crowd in Madison Square Garden saw Burman light into Louis like he never had heard of him, and continue to fight with everything he had until a final sickening right under the heart sent him down in 2:49 of the fifth round.