I'll concede your point. The unpredictable Baer did do a good job of confusing the calculating Schmeling at times, and Baer's steel chin was never more in evidence. Still, the outcome was somewhat surprising, considering the success Schmeling had against Uzcudun, an adversary not too unlike Maxie stylistically (who also used a cross armed defense, and could be difficult to position or back up with his enormous strength).
Schmeling was the better overall fighter, possibly because he was committed. Baer clearly had the better potential. Head to head it always would be Baer.
Schmelling was historically the finer heavyweight , even though Max had amazing potential that was never fulfilled.. Max S ... was the better of the Max's
This is a tough one because Schmeling had that ko over Louis ,while Baer folded out of fright,but Baer after taking some early punishment against the German,came alive ,and kod him,for this reason ,though he wasn,t consistant ,on his best night , I go for Baer.