Max Baer vs Jersey Joe Walcott, prime for prime 15 rounds.

It does, both were incredibly inconsistent.

Braddock wasn't better than Walcott. Baer beat Max Schmeling who was arguably better HW than Charles.

 

Schmeling was a true all time great and Baer’s win over him was huge. Was Schmeling better than Ezzard Charles ? I’m hesitant to agree with that but I guess people could debate over that one forever.

 

yes, i think the Cooper from the Moorer, Coffee, Mercer fight has an excellent chance of beating Maxie.

Fighters like Bowe and Holyfield - good, coordinated, combination punchers with every punch in their arsenal handled Bert easily enough but Baer had none of those skills.......and Max lost to worse fighters than Cooper. That said, i also concede Cooper lost to worst fighters than Baer. I just dont see why people rave about Baer - his skills were poor, his motivation often lacking and shockingly lost/meekly surrendered his title to one of the weakest HW champions in history in Braddock

 

Nobody raves about Baer, picking him over Cooper isn't raving.

 

Excellent assessment.

 

That isn't what Louis said on national TV nor in his autobiography.

 

He might but Walcott handled a lot of punchers rather well.

 

I might rank Baer higher overall, but, head to head, there's that styles thing again. Walcott would probably take a decision win over Max, but I wouldn't bet on it. Baer was a crazy fighter when motivated.

 

i dont think its inconceivable to suggest a fighter with no jab, left hook, head movement or defence - as Baer was - could lose to a faster, more explosive, two handed puncher with better skills

 

I agree, but Baer had left hook and I don't find Cooper faster, more explosive or more skilled at all. Baer was unorthodox and wasn't super skilled of course, but he wasn't clueless. You also ignore significant physical advantages Baer has over Bert.

 

Walcott would be too mobile, too fast, he would be jabbing and moving and Baer would be too straight up, and Walcott would be constantly moving or slipping after he jabs and changing his exit point, and Baer never did any of that stuff, he would be eating jabs all night long like in the Braddock fight except Walcott is better

 

Jersey Joe qualifies because his minimum number of A-game fights is still more than a lot of other great fighters.

guys like Walcott were always talented. It was always there. They had wilderness years…but preserved greatness throughout.

guys like James Toney and Roberto Duran spring to mind.

when the stars lined up for them these guys were special almost at any point. And overall, they all have enough good nights to qualify

 

Max Schmeling?

 

I don’t rate Schmeling as high as Charles

 

at heavyweight they are as close to being about as good as each other though.