This is probably one of the better match-ups that you've posted Shommel ( although I think Cooney vs BUDDY Baer would have been better. ) Max had the chin and a dangerous punch, while Cooney was not tremendously durable, so on the surface this looks like a slam dunk for Baer.. The Carnera fight might lead folks to believe that the size difference would be irrelevant. But I'm not so sure... Baer's defense was horrible and there weren't many guys who were capable of making him pay for it the way that Cooney might have. If Cooney boxed intelligently, rather than charging him down like he did Norton, there might be hope for a victory for Gerry. He actually did fairly well for several rounds against Holmes who is 10X the technician that Baer was. Gerry also hit like a truck and it's not too far fetched to think that he might even have harder than Baer himself.. Those left hooks to the body would take their toll as well. I can see why people would readily pick Baer, but I'm hesitant...
Carnera get his ankle tore in the very first round, he cannot punch with full force and have less mobility. So the outcome of this match is unknown. Buddy was a similar fighter that Coney. Gigantic and with a trememdous punch but not very skilled and with a suspect chin.