If Schmeling beat Braddock and became 1st HW to regain the world title

I think this is a good question and posting. Heres the catch, Jimmy was boxing at this point the best of his career and the title win, finances to train full time with a good diet, etc. makes this a close match up. In his few rounds with Louis he boxed well and his sharp right hand caught Joe on the button before the big guns proved too much for him, and so how would he have done with Max? Basically I can't see this being a barn burner, if either goes in too strongly he risks getting nailed by the others right hand. Over fifteen I think Jimmy boxes smartly and both avoids Max's offense and lands just enough jabs and short right hands to get the nod.

 

That was a really good ****ysis.

 

I think it turns in some part how bad his shoulder was at the time.

 

Max was one of Boxings hardest punchers in 1937 and a top contender since the late 20's. Remarkable record. I do not see Braddock lasting 15 rounds vs a motivated Schmeling.

 

I would envision a rightfully pumped up and supremely confident Schmeling ****yzing Braddock's style and coming up with an equally brilliant effort to dethrone the Cinderella Man....which he would have both methodically and brilliantly carried out...culminating in a kd of Braddock in the 10th...battering the Jersey Irishman to a certain defeat...ultimately stopping Braddock in the 13th or 14th, despite James J's expected courage in the face of a disaster of a fight for him. Somebody check out the vid called "73 Right Hands Less One" and ask yourself if Max couldn't equally solve and then master James J Braddock as well as he did Louis in 1936.

 

You have to think that Schmeling had just a little too much finesse for Braddock, and would have had his day, but it is not a given of course.

Schmeling said that if he had regained the title he would have retired, though the inevitable offer of a huge pay day might have changed his mind.

 

Max outboxes Jimmy. Was just that little bit better. The huge payday that a Louis rematch would get him would be too tempting an offer to turn down. Joe wins in just as emphatic manner as in real time and boxing history is restored to it's original course.

 

Max would defeat Braddock. I think Braddock's handlers knew that as well. Max was just a better fighter. For me it wouldn't elevate Max dramatically I already rate him very high in the 15-17 range of all time hw's. He defeated a lot of tough prime contenders and has the crown jewel victory of the divsion in besting Joe Louis.
He holds 4 wins over hall of fame boxers louis, Sharkey, Walker, Stribling. And all of them were peak or close to peak when they fought. That is impressive enough.

 

Schmeling would be favored to win a likely decision .. the catch is what would follow .. once Scheming had the title it is highly doubtful he would have defended against Louis anywhere but Germany and who knows how that would have played out ..

 

If Schmeling had regained the title Hitler would have NEVER let him retire....and Max knew that too.

 

A bout between Schmeling and Max Baer...a rematch...would have been a fascinating match. How could the "Aryan Superman" (I know Max wouldn't have approved of that designation) not avenge a defeat from what the Nazis would have called Baer...a "dirty Jew"?

 

Schmeling wanted to retire after he regained the title, and the factor most likely to change his mind, would have been the offer of a big payday in the United States.

Schmeling saw America as being the place where the money was, and employed an American team.

He also frequently went against the wishes of Berlin, both publically, and in more covert ways.

I am not saying that the fight would not have happened in Germany, but it would have taken a lot of pressure on Schmeling to make this happen.

 

Again, if Max regained the title Germany would have hosted a Louis rematch. Schmeling knew Americacwas where the money was for him to get the shot back at the title. As champion the control oft he title would have trumped all.