Bob Baker was the highest regarded HW of the crop of prospects that included Rocky?

The following are some snippets from an October 1950 Ring Magazine article entitled The Baker Boy. At this time, Baker was 17-0 and had just trounced 220lb Sid Peaks, first in a 5 round KO, then on points, finding time to dispatatch Bill Weinberg in 4 rounds, another man who outweighed the 202lb (all time high, 224) 6'2 Bob Baker.

"Combing the entire world, one probably couldn't name more than a dozen young HW's. whose possibilities for future headlines status would be regarded with even a faint dash of enthusiasm.

Generally rated as the best of the "freshmen" who have been attracting varying degrees of attention of late are Roland LaStraza of NY, Rocky Marciano of Brockton; Rex Layne of Jordan; Frankie Buford of Oakland; Calarence Henry of LA, Cesar Brion of the Argentine, Jaack Gardner of England, Connie Rux of Germany - and Bob Baker of Pittsburgh.

Of the lot, Baker shapes up as one of the likliest.

The powerful 23 year old 205lb negro seems to have many of the answers for which the promoters and fans have been so eagerly hunting. He can box, punch, and has proven ability to survive rough going and fight back to win.

Not since Louis came roaring out of the amateurs more than 16 years ago, to blas his way almost overnight into international prominence in the pro ring has any young HW risen to rapidly and in such spectacular fashion as Baker. It is only a year and a half since the Pittsburgher made his adent into the money ranks and his record to date embraces only 17 bouts, but he has already earned a place well up The Ring's rankings.

...

Of his 17 outings to date, Bob has won 13 by KO and 4 by decisions. That happened to be the exact score poste dby Louis in his first 17 starts!

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...it was felt that Baker had progressed to the stage where he could take a chance with a "name" opponent and Johnny Flynn, the Rochester veteran, was imported.

It was Baker's 13th pro boutbut apparently the hex number didn't bother him. He KO'd Flynn in the 6th

Despite Baker's sensational string of wins, there was some doubt about his ability to take it. Anybody can look good winning, but what about when it became tough? That was the question the fans wanted answered, so the promoters brought in the ringwise, dangerous Rusty Payne. Snd Baker proved he could take as well as give.

The youngster started fast, dropping Payne for 9 in the first and repeating in the second round. But Rusty, surviving those tough sessions, came out to hurt Baker...the kid refusd to become discouraged and charged out for the fourth, outslugged Payne in a savage exchange and dropped the veteran for the full count.

An even more serious test was supplied in Baker's next bout, and Battling Bob showed he could come back from near disaster and win. His opponent was the Louisville giant, Sid Peaks, who, if he cannot do much of anything elsei n the ring, certainly can punch. Teh fight had hardly gone a minute when Peaks connected with two thunderous lef thooks and Baker wnet crashing to the canvas. He staggered up at seven and managed to last the round. He was still unsteady at the start of the second, and another left hook sent him sprawling again. But Baker gamely fought his way out of trouble, and went to work on Peaks...[Peaks] was halted in the fifth."

Chris Dundee on his charge: "I am biased, but I honestly believe Baker is the best young HW in the world. We're in no hurry however. We have plenty of time. Louis, Savold, Walcott, Charles and the other old-timers can have the stage to themselves a while longer. We'll be happy to play along with LaStraza, Marciano(!), Layne, Brion and that crowd. In another year we'll be ready to shoot for the title, and from where I'm sitting now, I can't see how we'll miss."


They did miss. In fact the title shot never materialised. Baker seemed to struggle with his hands. He fought only twice in the first four months of 1951, and the July 1951 issue of Ring notes in an article about hand injuries: "Baker had come to NY with a kayo-studded record and showed that he knew how to handle himself in his fight with Elkin Brothers, Baker was a dissappointment in that he made little use of his vaunted right. This was caused by a damaged hand and, in fact the left was also bruised. Unless the hands can be made sound and strong again it is possible that a fighter who shows that he has the ability to goon to win the world HW title might wind up as an ordinary journeyman."

Anybody know what happened with Baker's hands? Did they heel up or would he always struggle? Regardless, Baker was beaten by fellow contender Clarence Henry. Baker was streets ahead, stepped back with his hands down and got dropped by a perfect left hook. Baker would rebuild, beating Billy Gilliam for 3/4 and then Nino Valdes. But then disaster struck:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG8kmOgjSPY
Stupid way to fight Sattersfield. Depressingly, that's the only footage of the man on YouTube, I believe, I think this fight was originally uploaded by SuzieQ. Anyway.

Baker actually did a really good job of re-building once more, after losing to Moore in his next fight, coming back to beat Layne THREE times and then Valdes again, before being eased out of the title picture after losing twice to Tommy Jackson and then Harold Carter.

He looks like he fights to dumb to trouble Marciano anyway, but the fight would have been fun!

I think it's interesting that he was rated highest, or amongs the highest, on his way up but that he never got his title shot. His inconsitancy cost him I guess, although I did read he was #1 contender for a spell, until the Jackson debicle.

 

I just noticed he beat a young George Chuvalo in 57! Anyone know anything about this fight?

 

So Unforgiven, you'd consider it a dangerous fight for Rocky? Obvioulsy you'd favour Marciano to outlast Baker even if it was a tough one?

 

I wonder if this is anything to do with his hands though? It sounds like an excuse, but it's right there in the Ring report. "Baker was a dissappointment in that he made little use of his vaunted right. This was caused by a damaged hand, and, in fact, the left was also damaged."