Baer vs Carnera Round 7 (HD)

This writeup suggests that Carnera was lucky to win a controversial decision in the rematch with Maloney:

http://thecruelestsport.com/2011/03...iami-with-win-record-crowd-for-golden-gloves/

Having watched the fight in bored silence, the crowd only came to life when McClelland raised Carnera’s arm at the close of hostilities. It was a lengthy demonstration of disapproval with jeers serenading Carnera from the time the decision was given until the Italian had made his way to the dressing room.

"Acknowledging that the bout had been fairly close, the ringside reporters were less critical of the decision than the spectators. The United Press and the Associated Press both had Maloney in front, though by tight scores, with neither write-up indicating the decision was of the outrageous variety. This opinion was backed by John Kiernan of the New York Times, who felt the anger exhibited by the fans was mostly out of frustration over the “contest as a whole.”

Another passage (not very complimentary of Carnera):

"Finding Maloney’s hit and run tactics puzzling, Carnera was far from accurate and more than a little wild at times in his attempt to coral the smaller man. On one occasion, Carnera charged forward only to almost fall through the ropes after missing Maloney with a wayward haymaker. Having taken Carnera’s best with little damage, Maloney even got a little more adventurous as the bout wore on and brought some of his own pressure in the late going – a display which likely went a long way to winning over the fans."

Also:
"As for Damon Runyon’s reporting of the fight, the New York writer’s dispatches were far different than other accounts of the contest. Runyon called the bout “one of the fastest heavyweight fights ever seen in the ring.” He went on to gush over Carnera’s “amazing speed,” going as far as to compare the fighter’s footwork to that of a dancing girl.

With Runyon having a promotional interest in a potential fall match-up involving the winner of the Schmeling-Stribling heavyweight title fight against Carnera, it appears the colourful scribe was doing his best to paint the clumsy brawler in the most favourable light – integrity be damned."
"

 

You would have scored that footage for Carnera? Crowd was definitely riding for Gains but I don't think that detracts from the fact that Gains landed virtually all of the sharp, clean punches. Looked to me like almost all of Carnera's blows either missed, were blocked, or otherwise failed to find their mark cleanly (other than some of the body punches he threw in the clinch, maybe).

 

BTW, this footage supports several of the criticisms many of us have made of Carnera over the years. The guy seems to have no idea about how to best use his height and reach advantages, especially wrt keeping distance and controlling range. Despite his brute strength, he gets moved around by smaller fighters (a mere 200-lber in this case) at times and doesn't seem to hit particularly hard. I'm sure there are plenty of 5-second GIF-worthy moments to the contrary, but I think these flaws and limitations are pretty clear.