Fascinated by Max Baer.

You should see the Schmeling beating, what a punch.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UORwsLDVbcY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begybILjnuQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Xh4WUGq24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCXpLOfzb1Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRndj44qP5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurjOnXOU7w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOXzWvYH_rQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MdS05YYQZI

 

Buddy Baer's autobiography, which is relatively scarce, provides some pretty good insight into Max Baer.

 

Bear was actually a protege of Dempsey, and I believe Jack worked in his corner for a number of his fights.

 

Baers showing against Carnera was not as undisciplined as it looks.

Baer found a way to counter Carnera with his right hand while sparring with him for the prizefighter and the lady. Once he had that all he needed to do was clown around and throw that right hand counter when he got the chance.

 

It's sad that many people's perception of Baer is based on that film, which, considering the accounts of virtually everyone who ever knew Baer, was completely off. He arguably possessed the hardest right hand ever, and was a big, fit guy as well. Had he developed his technique more he could have developed into a respectable boxer-puncher, and given Joe Louis more trouble than he did.

There's another film on Youtube, which I don't think is in the list above, where he gives a demonstration of what he does in the ring. It makes me think he was at least somewhat underrated in the technique department

 

You don't get to the level that Baer was at without knowing what you're doing. When at his best he is a guy who is better than his legacy/rating indicates.

 

I like Max Baer, when he was fighting with a bit of menace in him he was impressive with his power alone. And he could take a punch.

But he was easy to hit in most of his fights, a sucker for a straight jab in the face. He was "wide open as the Sahara desert" in his own words.

He was awful against Braddock. That's really where his legacy falls down. The Braddock-Baer fight is one of the worst heavyweight championship fights I have seen.

 

Watch for the Max Baer shoulder roll:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpFTVrutZe4

 

Maxie has always been one of my favorite characters in the sport, and he was outrageously defamed by that degenerate "opie" and his disgusting movie...so much better was the book, of the same name "Cinderella Man" by Jeremy Schaap...a fine writer, BTW. who had the integrity and art to truthfully depict the two fighters, Braddock and Baer as what they were...unlike that disgraceful "movie" that little baldheaded opie made. Maxie was a head case, but an all aroung great guy who was a bit too screwy to be successful as a fighter as he could have been...I often wonder what if he was somehow transported into modern times and had a great trainer like Freddie Roach or Emannuel Steward, how he would have been...he fascinates me too.

 

for me personally a motivated and focused baer comes close to the top 10. i am not saying he is top 10 but in my opinion at least in the top 15 atg heavy's. a very powerful right. strong, fast, good defense, sublime boxing capacities. a great all round fighter.

 

Baer was facinating because he was charasmatic and a big puncher. However the way he was taken apart by Louis really puts him in perspective as a fighter. His biggest win by far was over Schmeling.