This is a clip of the first fight between Valdes and Baker. Thanks to our Raging B(_)LL for the footage. [yt]gvvs8Y4xaqs[/yt] At this time, Baker was considered a rising HW contender, while Valdes, who came into this fight on a losing streak, was mostly considered a second rater. Baker used his cleaner, more precise punching to carry out an expected win in an entertaining battle. Strangely, however, their careers took unexpected and divergent paths following this fight. Baker was shockingly blasted out in his next fight by Bob Satterfield, which you can see here: [yt]avXsk9Q8Jjo&feature=related[/yt] Another loss after that to Archier Moore derailed him as a potential title challenger for the time being. Meanwhile, Valdes scored a shocking upset over ex-champ Ezzard Charles which propelled him toward the top of the rankings. He followed up with a string of wins spanning across three separate years, including an impressive quick KO of top rated Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson in what was considered an unofficial eliminator to decide a possible next title challenger for Rocky Marciano. However, Valdes was bypassed for challenges from Charles and then Don Cockell. The following year, he fought Moore (who he had already lost to a couple years earlier), and lost a close decision that was disputed by some ringsiders. Moore went on to get the next shot at Marciano. Meanwhile, Valdes suffered a terribly embarrassing loss to Satterfield, who dropped him and beat him to the punch all night long to win a lopsided decision. That fight was an irreparable blow to Valdes' reputation, and it signaled something of a decline for him. Later that year, he fought a rematch with Baker, but both fighters lacked the fire they had had a few years earlier and they waltzed their way through a dull snoozefest that essentially eliminated both fighters as potential title fight candidates. Baker's days as a standout contender were ended for good by two losses to Hurricane Jackson. After that, he was used as fodder for rising contenders like Eddie Machen. Meanwhile, Valdes made one last go at the big time during Floyd Patterson's reign and briefly managed to work his way back to a top 5 ranking. However, a crushing KO loss to journeyman Chuck Powell sent him spiraling back down the rankings for good.
Iv'e allways been impressed with Baker on film, he has power, speed and a compact defence. Suzie Q said, bad hands shortened his career. Valdes looks sloppy his footwork and balance are all over the place,and his porous defence ,especially his vulnerability to the left hook, dont augur well for his chances against Marciano,who,I think would have stopped him in the mid rounds.Thanks for posting this:good
Bob Baker looks like a very solid boxer here, unfortunately he had brittle hands. Baker's weight for this fight was listed at 227 pounds which was quite high for him but he doesn't look out of shape. Valdes looks sloppy but I imagine he got better as his career progressed.
I have been saying for years..the best big man of the era was Bob Baker. People laughed at me. I said for years Baker was more dangerous to Marciano than Valdez. People screamed to me "Marciano ducked Valdez!!! who the hell is baker?". I think this film backs up my theory. Valdez best weapon was his jab, which was good. Perhaps posters like Mendoza, Revolver, Mr. Marvel, Homicide Hank, Pepping it, and My2sense can lay waste to the fact Marciano was afraid of this guy. I think the key word here someone mentioned is "Balance". Baker and Valdez were big, aggresive, and hit hard...but they guys did not punch with the leverage Maricano did. Not even close. Though Marciano got wild at times, he never got Sloppy. He was always in position for the big home run or the equalizer..and punching with leverage ability was 2nd to none. This is why Baker nor Valdez could ever hope to outslug the Rock. Thanx for posting.
Naw, Valdez was way too big and strong. Marciano never defeated a young 200lber +. He never could. :-(
You're overlooking that Baker basically turned into a ***** after being KO'd by Satterfield in his next fight, and turned in some very lackluster and gun-shy performances thereafter.
Not impressed with Nino and although he won a close one over Charles, he would not rematch Charles but Ezzard beat Billy Gilliam who beat Valdez and Moore beat Valdez and KO'd Baker.....Charles and Moore KO'd Satterfield who KO'd Baker in a 1rd slugfest and later Dominated and dropped Valdez....Baker was the top prospect pick along with Rex Layne at the time but I think the Satterfield KO hurt Baker and the Marciano KO ruined the 34-1 Rex Layne who avenged his only loss up to that point
