The Max Baer who KO'd Schmeling, vs the Jack Johnson who lost to Willard: same hot day in Havanna, but only 20 rounds. Who wins, and how?
Even this version of Johnson would make Baer look silly and Baer would need a knockout to win. My hunch is that Baer probably gets his knockout through sustained pressure late in the fight while 17-0 down on the cards.
I think Johnson takes it. Yes he was old and under-trained but nevertheless he was holding his own for much of the fight. Baer would have trouble with the defence and wrestling of Johnson and would get cought by that uppercut while beeing in the clinch time and time again and finally get knocked down and out by it somewhere between round 11 and 14.
Very interesting matchup and somewhat difficult to call. Put a gun to my head however and I'll pick Johnson by UD with the outside chance of a late round stoppage. The reason I do is I remember while reading "Unforgivable Blackness", the story of Jack Johnson's life and career that while working as a sparring partner for Luis Firpo when he was in his 40's that he routinely made Firpo look like a fool in thier sparring sessions and was soon fired. If he could do that to Firpo, a big strong HW with a big right hand and not much else then it isn't too difficult to imagine him doing it to Baer as well who was very similar in style to Firpo. Would I be surprised if Baer managed to KO Johnson? Not really but he would have to "earn" it if you will just as Willard did in Havanna. Let's not forget that Jess took something of a beating at times during that fight before Jack finally wore down in what, the 26th round for Chrissakes!! Could Max take a beating for that long before getting discouraged as he did against Loius in 4 or 5 rounds? Hard to say. Funny thing but if Baer had anything resembling a good stiff jab to compliment his size, power and reach then I'd make him a favorite here, but he did'nt which is why I'd still favor a somewhat past it Johnson over a powerful but one dimensional fighter such as Baer.
Baer is not likely to have the mental capacity to overcome Johnson + the heat. He was tough, but Johnson would have an easier time in clinching and anticipating Baer’s advances over Willard’s, who was shooting well trained straight shots at Johnson over the distance. Johnson gets to the 20 mark and comfortably smoothes over a decision.
