Max was much bigger than Liston. Joe Louis was dwarfed by Baer and Sonny was not as tall as Louis. The edge in range Sonny often had is as dramatically reduced as it was when Sonny met Ali. Max can hit him at distance. Something most opponents never could.
By not much bigger in height, Max is only bigger by an inch and a half. Both weighed in at 205-215 in there primes. I also think Baer is incredibly powerful, more than he gets credit for, but I'd favour Liston any day of the week
Willard is a bit taller but I meant from Baer forward, til Bowe came along, max was probably the biggest American to hold the title. Many champions were not noticeably bigger in person compared to Joe Louis. Max Baer was.
So Larry Holmes wasn't American? Holmes had 1/2" height on him and if we look at peak performances Baer weighed 203 and 209 1/2 whilst Holmes was around 210-213. Ali matched Baer for height and weighed similar or more. Baer stood out as big in his day because the average heavyweight was smaller.
http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Joe_Louis_vs._Max_Baer Max Baer still wanted to fight, he legitimately didn't care about winning or losing
I honestly don’t think this is even close, I think Sonny decimates him. He’s just better in every single department, apart from a big right hand and a good chin what did Baer possess? You’re going to need more than that to have a chance against Liston.
Yes I know what they were listed as but whenever I see photos, using Joe Louis as a guide most of them seem “about the same”. So look at Ali stood with Larry. Ali stood with Dempsey, Louis, Tunney. “About the same”. Max Baer always appears bigger than Louis and therefore Ali, Holmes and Foreman. He’s not listed as such but the camera and eyes don’t lie. Riddick Bowe was bigger again. I’ve seen him with George Foreman. So those kinds of guys were bigger. Whatever their listed at Bowe and Lewis and the Klitschkos they’re another size up from Ali and Larry.
I think Max Baer was 6'3 He had naturally wide and square shoulders, even for a 6'3 heavyweight And large rib cage. Good physique. Not heavily muscled but he looked impressive and could strike an imposing "lat spread" / chest expansion pose. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/max-baer-muscle-shirtless-hunk-1820696060 no homo
Liston was a big fella too. Probably no more than 6'1 tall but thickly muscled around shoulder and neck and had long, thick arms and legendary huge hands. no homo
Baer was a big man...he fought in the era of no weights and panther lean is better....and I am not sure Liston was 6'1" I would suspect closer to 6' but regardless Liston is too complete of a fighter for Max....I can see it looking similar to the Williams fight