Two big strong resilient heavyweights who'll both dish it out and take it. Roughly the same size, neither man a technician by any stretch, one considered a historically huge puncher, the other a historically iron chin. What gives in this fight?
Baer wins decisively. Max hit much harder, three inches taller, also had a great chin, and did much better against top notch fighters. George was a tough guy, but lost to most of the top fighters, and even to not top fighters.
I'm actually going for Baer in this one too. Chuvalo was a bit too open and ponderous not to make a sitting duck for Baer's wild shots, and didn't possess the speed to catch Baer in turn. I'm giving him the benefit of making it to the final bell though.
I go with Baer as likely to win a decision. I don't know about Chuvalo always being in better shape. Baer twice went 20 rounds. He must have been in pretty good shape when he was young.
Version of Chuvalo that beat Quarry could win. He’d never give up and never be KOd. Eventually those left hooks he got Quarry with would stop Baer. Chuvalo didn’t have great skills but Baer was even worse.
Baer was better, Chuvalo incredibly durable but he didn't have the skills to stop Baer who was powerful in his own right...
If you think Baer had skills you haven’t watched the films in a while. Baers skills were that of an experienced club fighter at best. He was a hulk for his day but that wasn’t enough when he fought Louis who was close to him physically but much better technically and tougher. That of course led to a mismatch and Max being destroyed.
