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

I've watched the Louis bout and the two Nova bouts in their entirety recently, and the answer to that is no. I've also read several books about Baer and they make no mention of knockdowns in some of his other, lesser bouts.

He went down several times in the second Nova bout, but they were similar kinds of knockdowns to those in the Louis fight - Baer was never really completely off his feet, or bludgeoned to the canvas.

I am absolutely convinced that Max Baer deserves to be regarded just in the McCall-Chuvalo class of iron-chins. Considering the number of times he fought and the fact that he was never knocked out cold or even badly knocked down, it is surprising he is not immediately thought of in this context. He should be.

 

Although Holmes only had to go 15 rounds, I get the feeling he could go a few more rounds. Baer failed to finish many smaller / less durable fighters in decision losses, but this is a finish fight. So what happens?

I think Holmes would get a TKO in rounds 12-20. His jab would close Baer's eyes, and eventually some clean right hands or uppercuts would find their mark vs a defensively inept Max Baer.

Finish fights not only test durability and stamina, they also test mental fortitude. Baer was never a tough-minded fighter. Holmes was.

 

It depends which Baer shows up, Larry was more consistant and would out box Max for most of the fight, Danger is Max's power (RIGHT hAND) WHICH killed 2 men in the ring, Max could ko LARRY DESPITE BEING BEHIND

 

I should not have used never. Baer in my mind was mostly a passive fighter who just happened to have a huge right hand. Remember, Dempsey virtually had to push Baer out of his dressing room to face Joe Louis, and although Baer was fighting Louis at his best, he quit in that match.

Bear looked apathetic vs Braddock, and lacked a killer instinct in general. I've seen him smile, and play in some fights. In other fights, he fouls. I suppose if a fighter attacked Baer, Max would have to punch back some.

Max Baer was a lighthearted playboy who clowned around and never took boxing as seriously as he should have. I don't think this type of fighter beats Holmes. Baer had a poor jab, limited defense, and is not the type of boxer who could time a cross on Holmes.

 

It does'nt matter if it's a fight to the finish or a 15-20 round match, Holmes ko's or tko's Max late. Larry's great jab and overall ring skills would too much for the plodding Baer who never met an opponent with Larry's size and skill not too mention mobility. Max's only hope would be to catch Larry napping with a booming right hand but even then we can't be sure that would be enough. After all Shavers cought Larry with a booming right hand but Holmes got up to eventually stop Earnie a few rounds later. If Max had a good jab and punched more in combinations rather than looking to load up with one shot then I would give him a better chance but he clearly did'nt. Larry would close his eyes, cut him to ribbons and eventually deck him a few times before finally KOing him somewhere around the 10th or 11th round.