Let's not forget that those were both near the end of his career, the second Nova fight being the last of his career. Baer had a rather fast rise and fall, and was clearly no longer at his peak for the Nova fights. Even then, he was not stopped for the count, both fights being TKOs. This said, Nova was a decent contender, known for his power. He mostly lost to the top guys - and is, of course, probably best known for losing to Joe Louis. Outside of Baer, perhaps his most notable victory is over Tommy Farr.
Pretty big guy for his day a 6'3" I think he had some type of "atomic punch". Was involved with Tony Galento in the "foul-athon" ... and lost. "One of the most disgraceful fights staged since the days of the barroom brawls. Referee George Blake..would have retained his reputation as a great referee had he disqualified Galento." (The Ring, December 1939, page 16) Galento was permitted to thumb Nova's right eye until it reached a terrible condition. Finally Lou went down in the 14th round after being fouled for the last time." Re: First Baer fight: Baer, "the left side of his face battered out of shape after ten rounds of the most excruciating fighting he had ever undergone, was bleeding so severely from a severe laceration of the lower lip he could hardly breathe" when the referee stopped the bout. New York Times
Nova was an extremely talented fighter with top power who perhaps did not have the ideal personality for a boxer. I would say however that he was one of the best contenders of that period. Perhaps top 5. His only losses going into the title fight with Louis were the somewhat questionable loss to Tony Gallento and a points loss to Maxie Rosenbloom. His more notable wins include- Old Max Baer X2 Tommy Farr Bob Pastor (drawn) Pat Comiskey Gunnar Barlund Lee Ramage Buddy Knox He was something of a character as well into his Tai chi. He claimed to have perfected a "cosmic punch" which would knock out even Joe Louis. After he lost he claimed that he had been unable to implement it because the rotation of the earth had been incorect.
"He was something of a character as well into his Tai chi. He claimed to have perfected a "cosmic punch" which would knock out even Joe Louis. After he lost he claimed that he had been unable to implement it because the rotation of the earth had been incorect." Thanks "Janitor"...it was the "Cosmic Punch" rather than the "atomic punch". That was great info.
He was good. Some members of the press were tipping him to beat Joe Louis, especially when they saw Nova looking incredible in training camp. But on the night he under-performed, overcome with fear and anxiety according to his trainer Ray Arcel.
Watched both his fights with Baer this week. While he lost both, Baer had his moments in each. The first fight runs 11 rounds and is competitive throughout. The stoppage seems a bit premature, and Baer is still throwing punches. He seems to protest the stoppage. The second fight seems, overall, less competitive - although Baer scores a knockdown in round 4, and seems to have Nova reeling at the end of round 7. Nova however, knocks him down twice in the 8th, and although Baer gets up from the 2nd KD, he is quite wobbly. Clearly a justified stoppage.