'Jack Dempsey, who seconded his "pal," Max Baer, thinks there is no Heavyweight in sight with a chance to beat Joe Louis. "Louis is good, there's no doubt about that," said the former World Champion today, "It will take a really great fighter to beat him and there's no one around now capable of turning the trick." Keenly disappointed by his own protege's showing, Dempsey declared that "Baer is all washed up." "I told him he ought to quit," added the old mauler. "He simply hasn't got it any more. "I sent Baer out there to fight, not box, but he wouldn't open up, except in one or two brief spurts. Between rounds I urged him to keep slugging. He didn't do it and he couldn't even explain who he wasn't following instructions. " At the finish he was knocked absolutely senseless. He didn't know where he was when we dragged him back to the corner." Asked what he thought his own chances against Louis would have been, in his prime, Dempsey grinned and replied; "Well, l'd have kept punching with him, doing the best I could." The former Champion left the impression he thought he might have had quite a pleasant punching party with the brown bomber. His parting shot, however, was: "I'm glad I'm in the restaurant business now!'' - Assoc. Press This content is protected
Hi Buddy. Good find, many thanks, I read somewhere many years ago, that Bear was nervous and panicky in the dressing room, and was reluctant to leave, apparently Dempsey after asking Max to get up and go many times said to Bear, " It's either me in here, or Louis out there , make up your mind " true or urban myth, who knows ?. stay safe Melankomas, chat soon . Mike.
I've always said Louis looked absolutely phenomenal against Max Baer. Maybe one of his best performances. He was very quick, sharp, accurate, range perfect, and his footwork smooth, controlled, well-balanced, and efficient. He even had to roll and dip away from some heavy blows from a a very hard puncher who was bigger than him and come back with some brutal counters. Plus he kept and maintained a very fast pace. Bad medicine for anyone. I don't think it was bad Baer, but rather GREAT LOUIS!!