What is Schmeling had got the decision in the second Sharkey fight?

No. And... No.

 

That would definitely increase his rating on all-time lists. Imagine him defending against Uzcudun, then losing to Baer. Then after Louis win getting another title fight against Braddock and beating him. It's not hard to imagine and that would make Schmeling a candidate for top 10 and lock top 15.

 

I think Max takes Braddock comfortably and beats Baer in a rematch.

 

I think Max B. would always be a bad matchup for Max S. both physically and stylistically. Schmeling was never in the fight with Baer. I think this even though I regard Schmeling as an all-around better fighter than Baer.

 

I'm not sure, this fight waa close until stoppage and Max used terrible strategy. It's also his worst filmed fight (besides Louis rematch), I think he would fare better in rematch

 

I guess we have different interpretations! No matter! Variety is the spice of life! But I certainly agree that Schmeling fought an unimaginative fight. I'm just not sure anything he could have done would have changed the outcome given that this was Baer's best performance ever. I grant you that Baer likely never would have risen to this level again. My opinion is based on Baer maintaining this level if they had a rematch.

 

Schmeling was never in the fight with Baer, KasimirKid is absolutely correct. Schmeling had no answer for Baers size, strength, power, and the weird angles he hit from. Schmeling was simply way too orthodox and that didnt prepare him for what Baer brought to the table. Factor in that Baer had zero respect for Schmelings power and just walked him down and I dont see what Schmeling could ever do differently or better to beat Baer. He was a better all around boxer but Baer was just a head to head nightmare for him.

 

Baer was a bad matchup for Schmeling but he also fought extremely dirty in their fight and the referee did nothing. Schmeling was too stoic for his own good.

If Schmeling has won the Sharkey rematch - it would greatly reduce Sharkey’s standing. It would take a highly skilled fighter and make him become almost totally forgotten.

as for Max, he probably defends against Gains, or Farr or Uzcudon I would favor him to win those matches and then lose to Baer.

He may never get the Louis and would be remembered as a middle tier champion. That made 4-5 defenses of title. Not far off how he is regarded today.

now if he loses the Sharkey match as he did but gains the Braddock fight after beating Louis and beats Braddock. His stock rises immensely. He becomes first two time champion in history, adding in the incredible scalp of Louis and maybe even making a couple defenses of his second reign he would be top 15 material

 

I’m not so sure about that and I’m big Sharkey fan. Because the other 3 guys never received their shot. Sharkey would have and lost. But yes he has a packed resume for sure.

 

If he didn't get the decision over Schmeling, I don't think Sharkey would be up that high. Yes, he had his share of good wins, but he was very erratic and lost a lot. Would he rate above Moore? Harold Johnson? What about Eddie Machen and Zora Folley. All were more consistent and beat a lot of good man. All were at the top longer.

Johnson has wins over Charles and Moore and a slew of other top heavyweights, and was more consistent over a longer period of time than Sharkey.

How much higher would Sharkey rate than Johnny Risko who split with him while also beating Baer, Godfrey, Walker, Loughran, and a slew of others.

Steve Hamas matched Sharkey's big KO of Loughran, and also decisively defeated Schmeling. Where does Hamas rate?

There are quite a few whose biggest wins more than match Sharkey's. Elmer Ray and Rex Layne for two. Jerry Quarry is another who beat good men and was more consistent.

Sharkey was erratic and lost a lot and did not have consistent power, as his low KO percentage reveals.

I just don't see Sharkey as this giant among heavyweights as some do.

 

As for Schmeling if he won,

I notice that no one deals with Max's most likely challenger in 1933 being Carnera. The heaviest opponent Max handled was I think Ben Foord at 207. Carnera would be about 60 lbs. heavier and probably inches taller than anyone Max faced.

Max was the much better p4p fighter and more consistent, but Carnera might have been a stylistic nightmare for him with his height and reach and ability to move around. I can imagine Max getting jabbed to death w/o even getting close enough to use his right often enough to make a difference. Also, would he have to throw his right from so far away that it lost a lot of power even when it connected. That is what appeared to happen in the Baer fight.

If Max lost to Carnera, what would that have done to his reputation?

Anyway, I see Carnera as a far more likely challenger than Uzcudun in 1933.

Max had his share of good wins but only good wins except for the great Louis KO. If history changes and for some reason Max never gets to fight Louis, his historical rating might plunge. His good wins would be countered by some bad losses without the historic Louis fight to pump his reputation.