Max Baer v. Larry Holmes (in a finish fight)

I think Holmes savy, chin and stamina was a bit more proven than Baer's was, or so I believe. Holmes was notorious for luring fighters into deep water before drawning them, something that he might not even have to do against Baer, given how often he'd likely be landing on him. Although Baer certainly had the power to hurt Holmes, he's not outlasting him in an endless match with no time limit.

 

Holmes TKO 23 Baer:good

 

Baer was a rough and tumble customer but too crude for Holmes. The Easton Assassin would have to be leery of Baer's righthand haymaker. Beyond that I see Holmes dominating this from start to finish.

Holmes TKO 17 Baer

 

Interesting match up. Baer fought some 20 rounders early in his career, and was only ever knocked off his feet by Louis. I look for Holmes to gradually wear Baer down, but he may have to pull through some bad rounds on the way there. I can't wholly discount the possibility that Holmes would bonk first, though, and if Baer has anything left he might be able to stop an exhausted Holmes.

 

Baer was only stopped by extremely hard hitters, and only stopped for the count by the great Joe Louis. Even then, he was completely conscious as he voluntarily took the count. The only other times he was stopped, twice late in his career, was by powerpunching contender Lou Nova, the first time perhaps a bit prematurely, and both with Baer on his feet. Baer has one of the top five best chins in the history of the HW division. It is highly unlikely that Holmes, not known as a heavy hitter, would stop him.

Holmes, while he had a solid chin, was vulnerable to being sent to the canvas by powerpunchers. Earnie Shavers and Tim Witherspoon did it. Even the limited Renaldo Snipes had Holmes on ***** street. Yes, Holmes got up and went on to stop Shavers and Snipes, and get a decision over Witherspoon. But Baer is more durable than all those guys and hit harder than all but Shavers. He would also have more time to get the job done. It is hardly out of the question to imagine that a more durable fighter like Baer, who is unlikely to get stopped, would be able to finish the job that these guys were able to start.

Baer KO 18

 

Larry wasn't dropped by Witherspoon, where did you get that from? Just because Baer might not get dropped, wouldn't stop him from getting cut and swollen which would further limit his defence which was never that great in the first place.

 

In a fight like this, I think I'd have to go with Baer. Larry would have to throw a ton of punches to wear him out, and I'm not sure his fists would hold out long enough for him to accumulate what he'd need to to stop Baer. Normally, I'd go with a Holmes UD 12, but given this fight, let's say a Baer KO 20.

 

If the reff is sadistic enough then I might be inclined to pick Baer simply because he is going to win the war of atrition eventualy. Holmes is not going to get a knockout here so a TKO or forcing Baer to quit is his only chance.

Incidentaly I would give Baer a fair chance against Holmes in a 12 or 15 rounder. Larry is going to have to watch out for that right.

 

Larry Holmes UD.

 

Its a finish fight.

UD is one thing that categoricaly wont happen.

 

Max wins 15-16 with TKO

 

"Well then you'd better check the ref, because someone is beating the hell out of me in there."

Max Baer was a tough guy with a big right hand. What's not to like?

Baer had a great chin, and was willing to fight. Same can be said of Holmes. Baer was not always in the greatest of shape, neither was Holmes(more true in his 40+career). Baer was blasted by Louis. Holmes was blasted by Tyson.

This fight is going to boil down to who wants to win more. While Holmes may have dogged it in his training, I've never seen him dog it in the ring. There were a few times that Baer couldn't have cared less about winning, or so I've read. It is for this reason that I have to go with Holmes in this war of attrition. Plus, I don't think it's going to really be a war inside the ring. I placed the quote at the beginning of the thread for a reason. I believe Baer would have his moments, but Holmes would clearly be winning the majority of the rounds on his way to stopping Baer.

 

Baer was cut, swollen, bruised, dripping snot and blood and had god knows what other injuries during both Nova bouts but was still throwing punches, still defending himself, and refused to stop fighting in both bouts until the ref stepped in.

 

I'm working my way through 1934 right now so haven't researched 35, 39, 41 day by day, but did our Max ever get knocked completely prone ? I believe he went down on one knee, then both knees vs. Louis and about the same vs. both Nova bouts ?