Where do you rank Max Baer’s punching power rank?

Perhaps up there with anybody.

Let's face it, there weren't many other reasons for his success.

 

True, I can't see Baer beating any of the men he actually beat with his boxing technique

 

Very high. Arguably the 2nd best HW of the 2nd best era.

In terms of power his KO rate is "only" 77%. But this was a combination of fighting a lot of short fights and his long fights being against opponents that were difficult to knock out. Not to mention the injuries. 9 of the 15 guys who went the distance in losses to Baer did so in bouts that were 6 rounds or less. The Schaaf fight did not count as a KO either.

His brother Buddys KO rate was 93% with a shorter career and a more Wilderesque resume where he only fought a few top guys. Hes 9th all time on the filtered list of HW contenders I'm looking at(Max is 75th). While Buddys larger than Max thats how I think his power should be viewed.

 

If Max was the second best, that was emphatically not the second best era.

He was crap. We've recently had the Louis fight posted and he looks like he's never fought in his life. He literally does nothing well. He telegraphed punches, stood straight up with no real movement, had no guard. I could go on but I don't think I'll change any minds.

He probably did hit hard if he landed but any decent fighter never takes one from him

 

He'd be just another prelim fighter in the 1990's, except for the fact he couldn't box a lick. Herbie Hide had better power. And could box a helluva lot better.

 

He's worthy of being put in the higher echelons across history.

 

A better analogy might be Wilder.

Neither of them could box much, but Maxie also had a chin, and had a bit of a plan outside of hitting the other guy in teh face.

 

No, Wilder is a higher level or two. His style was awkward but very informed. Many an opponent and sparring partner has commented on how hard he is to hit and how he sets traps. Max either just lacked skill or chose not to use any skill. Film does him no favors.

 

Top 15 all time. Lots of huge punchers at heavy and not all of them famous

 

Number 1 of the 30s.

 

You know I’d just about agree with you on that last sentence except Schmeling happened. That’s no joke, as wins go. That, & he really did not take the sport as seriously as he should have.

But the thread is about power alone, not ability. In a time where referees stopped fights much later than today or even, say, the ‘60’s, some may fall for the notion Baer only killed two men because of that fact (might Foreman have killed two men were he fighting back then?). However I’ve seen too many single shots or short combinations from Baer to ever doubt his power. I would not really hesitate to put it at least in the realm of a Liston or Tyson, & it don’t get much better than that.

 

That's not true. He was quite quick handed close up and even if you saw most of his swings coming, in a 12 round fight you were going to get hit a few times.
Farr and Nova were both very skilled but they had to take their lumps against Baer and get floored multiple times trying to beat him.
Louis was as skilled as they made them and even he had to tank some murderous blows in the first two rounds.
Check the left hook he landed on Farr. If that wasn't Farr, the fight may very well have went another way.

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Then it's a shame that this higher level didn't translate into results.

 

Look there is little doubt that Baer was a big puncher , period ... the man could crack for sure although I would not put him in the highest class he was a KO puncher .. that said, Louis in my opinion was a better puncher and not simply by discounting speed and combination punching but raw power ... Baer landed on Carnera at will and it took eleven rounds for a stoppage while Louis destroyed him in six ... when you look at Carnera who was nothing if not courageous, the look of astonishment on his face from the Louis power was frightening ... the same with the Scheming rematch, their performances vs Galento when Louis lifts the 240 pound Galento off his feet with a hook and the destruction of Uzcundun ... Joe Louis' single shot power has become underrated and the Walcott interview from years ago with him comparing Marciano (prime) and Louis (faded) does nothing to change my opinion ....