Joseph Louis Barrow, known professionally as Joe Louis, was an American professional boxer and was the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949. He is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, Louis' championship reign lasted 140 consecutive months, during which he participated in 26 championship fights. He was victorious in 25 consecutive title defenses. In 2005, Louis was ranked as the best heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization and was ranked number one on “The Ring” magazine's list of the "100 greatest punchers of all time". Louis had the longest single reign as champion of any heavyweight boxer in history. Louis died of cardiac arrest on April 12th, 1981. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.