Yeah, Baer looked better in other fights, but this idea that Baer is way stonger than Wills comes from nowhere. Braddock did well with him on the inside, and Wills was known for his strength in the clinch. He fought in an era where you couldn't really be a professional heavyweight and have a tenth of his success without being really good on the inside. Aspects of Wills game were not unlike those of Braddocks, only Wills record indicates he was way, way better at them. If the Baer fight is excluded from an analysis of this contest, i'm fine with that, but I sure as **** don't want to hear another word about Uzcudun or Sharkey.
You think he put forth the same effort against Braddock as he did Schmeling? What do you make of all of grinning and smiling with little to no punching. That looks like a maximum effort Baer to you?
Wills gets an absurd amount of revisionism to me .. the guy was a dominant force with big , decisive wins over serious opposition for many years .. Who's responsible for that ? If the guy could not get it together to defend his title then he's missing an essential component in his DNA as a fighter.
I've never said that Baer was way stronger than Wills. Based on how he handled Firpo in the clinches, I wouldn't call any HW clearly stronger than him. My point is that he wouldn't maul Baer because Maxie was extremely strong in his own right. I also disagree that Wills was similar to Braddock - Braddock was decent outside boxer with good right hand and outstanding chin. Wills was bigger with quicker hands and he prefered inside game. He was better defensive fighter but not as durable. I definitely agree that bringing down Paulino fight is disrespectful to Wills. Harry was past his prime when he beat Firpo, let alone during Paulino and Sharkey bouts.
Wills rep is boosted big time by his wins over Langford. He beat him12 times Langford was 31.33.33.34.34.34.35.35.35.36.37. For 8 of those fights Langford was blind in one eye. He beat Jeannette once, Jeannette was 40. Wills was a very strong man ,Baer would not dictate terms inside. you mean you don't want to read another word don't you, well close your eyes then!
He didn't beat a lot of really good contenders during Dempsey's title reign. and he was castigated for it in the press.
Six,[half,] of Wills wins over Langford are when Sam was 35 to 37 and half blind. His lone win over Jeannette was when Joe was 40 years old,you can't have it both ways.
I don't think it matters that he beat a load of shot fighters, when he has wins over near prime McVea and Langford.
I think Wills wins via UD or TKO, Max always has the punchers chance, but 6 or 7 x out of 10 I go with Wills and at their best I would take wills.
