January 9, 1942 Joe Louis stops modern sized heavyweight Buddy Baer in 1 round

Baer wasn't super-skilled by any stretch.

Still, Louis sparks out Joshua 9 times out of 10. He's got the fast hands and compact combos that Joshua seems disposed to receiving.

 

There are two interesting statistics about Buddy Baer.

1. He was paid the highest purse for his pro debut, of any fighter before Sugar Ray Leonard.
2. He held the record for first round knockouts before Shannon Briggs.

His bad luck was also twofold.

1. He got his title shot against arguably the best version of Joe Louis that ever was.
2. World War II cut his career short, while he might have had good work ahead of him.

Could he have been something more with better timing?

Quite possible.

 

A poor man’s Max Baer.

 

Not particularly similar to Max Baer to be honest!

 

Which was why he was a poor man’s Max Baer.

but then in boxing isn’t it normally the older brother that’s the best?

 

What I mean is that their styles were very different.

They both hit like a truck, but I don't see either as a better/worse version of the other.

 

Who would have won if they had fought?

 

I guess Max, because he could take a punch better, and pressed the action better when his man was hurt.

Buddy might have put him in trouble with a few counters though!

 

Louis was a fistic Michaelangelo offensively. His form was impeccable, his hand speed was dizzying, his power explosive, probably the most dynamic offensive fighter in history at heavyweight. Baer probably thought their were 3
J. Louis's in the ring with him lol.
Joshua may fair better than Baer. He's a
Much better athlete, with skill level slightly
Above Baer. Hell he could conceivably beat Louis, Schmeling did. But it wouldn't be
Because of his skill level. In a 10 fight series,
Joshua could win 3-4. Am I being generous? Lol.