At his very best, How good was Max Baer?

A prime focused Max Baer would be a threat to every Heavyweight, even today. He was one of the most athletic, naturally talented fighters I have seen.

He was never the same after Frankie Campbell, and was definitely out of it after Earnie Schaaf. He took both deaths to heart.

His right hand was so powerful he had constant trouble keeping it healthy. He went into the Joe Louis fight with a busted up right hand, which shattered at the end of the second round, just as he was connecting with a barrage of punches.

Very underrated fighter.... Could have been considered the greatest of all time, if things had just been a little better for him.

He was definitely capable of defeating anyone he fought. The way they portrayed him in the movies was nothing like what he was in real life. He wax Affable, and always smiling, not the selfish brute he was made out to be.

It seems to me Max did not have the passion for the game, as much as he like being in the spotlight. After he killed those 2 men, he never really wanted to take it serious... perhaps that is a good thing, had he been meaner, he may have killed a few more.

 

He was good enough to KO the two best heavyweights in the world within a few months of each other, and he would only have been better for taking his trade seriously.

 

He was always a light-hearted joker.
When he had his fatal heart attack he called the hotel front desk and asked for a doctor.
He was asked if he wanted the House doctor. He said "no, I want a people doctor".

 

Baer was one of a handful of guys whose punching power was dramatic enough to be eye catching even through the grainy, black and whte footage of the day. One hell of a puncher, all-time great level, with a chin Earnie Shavers could only dream about.

 

I can definitely see that.

 

No, he could beat Wladamir Klitschko then loose to Alex Lepai!

 

Too far. :nono

 

Oh come on, he could find a way to do it!

 

Brain transplant from Denny Boytsov? :think

 

Solid chin. very hard punch. And had a strong fighter's mentality. In any era he'd win some and lose some. Might be a champion in some of the weaker periods.