Peak Max Baer Vs. peak Deontay Wilder

Wilder makes things harder for himself by neglecting defense in favor of simply moving away with basketball jukes and raising a basic guard, not to mention his tendency to throw looping shots that aren't particularly difficult to counter or punish as his goal 24/7 was to try and go for the knockout.

Wilder's tendency to just...give rounds away like a homeless shelter giving away canned food would also be an issue. Against a technical boxer or moved with low or average power, he can get away with that. Against a slugger like Baer who hits like a trick, this could prove disastrous. But the opposite is true: Baer was even more likely to throw caution to the wind with looping shots and haymakers.

Possibility 1 (more likely): Wilder and Baer make each other laugh with their atrocious technique, fundamentals, and defense as they throw big bombs and occasionally landing something heavy that rocks the other boxer. Baer likely connects with one of his infamous right hands and drops Wilder at some point, but if nothing else Wilder had guts and would get up to survive given how sloppy of a finisher Baer could be. Wilder then takes over and drops the Larauper 2-3x until the bout is stopped in a thrilling barroom brawl that had the entire stadium in pandemonium. I think Wilder's athleticism/speed, height, and reach would allow for him to land more often and to also reduce the impact of some shots as he sways away. My guess would be Wilder by KO/TKO within 6-7 rounds.

Possibility 2: Baer might have the better overall chin and stamina and he is the much better body puncher. Which means if he can survive Wilder's best shots and outlast him as the later rounds approach, Baer could take over after draining Wilder's energy from the body attack investment and occasional heavy shots upstairs. I will say that if Wilder brings the jab and lateral movement he used against Stiverne, this Rocky Balboa method for Baer would completely fail. But if Wilder fights fire with fire at mid-range, and Baer manages to remain upright, well, you could see an upset with Baer winning by KO in the later rounds perhaps 9-10.

Either way, this fight absolutely would not go the distance. Both guys hit way too damn hard and were too wild and reckless for that to happen. Gun to my head, possibility 1 is the more likely outcome 70-75% of the time. Wilder isn't just taller and faster, he is a bronze medalist with way more title defenses and a slightly more evolved overall gameplan than anything Baer has done.

 

Wilder ain’t exactly Willie Pep on defense, you know?

 

Do you think this match might allow Max, at least once during the course of the fight , to say “Last one up is a rotten egg!”

 

I wouldn't rule out a double knockdown given they both swing sledgehammer right hands and looping shots with similar reckless abandon. Or maybe it isn't a knockdown at all and they simply get tangled up after landing some heavy blows/mauling and stumble into the ropes before collapsing.

 

Funny that many of his opponents and sparring partners say he is deceivingly hard to hit.

 

Max had Rocky Balboa's defense. Wilder ends this in brutal fashion at some point.

 

I’m going with wilder.

 

They are quite possible scenarios given the combatants.

The ref may well have a very difficult distinguishing between actual KDs and tumbles.

If fought in Wilder’s time I think Max is THE guy who would get on board with the costume theme - though I’d have to think more on what his choice of dress up might be.

Buck Rogers maybe or some other super character relevant to his era?

Nothing too heavy though Max, we know that can lose fights - just ask Deontay. Lol!

 

I love how everyone keeps lumping their defense together as if they're remotely on the same level. Wilder was no defensive wizard, but Baer makes him look like Ali in comparison.