Biography
W O R L D  H E A V Y W E I G H T  B O X I N G  C H A M P I O N

I can't say I've ever warmed to Maximilian Adelbert Baer. For one thing, the Jim Braddock (Cinderella Man) world title defense in 1935 which, in one of the boxing sensations of all time, the unfancied Braddock wrestled the title from him. Witnessing Baer's stupid antics in feigning being hurt from one of Braddock's punches and then laughing at him is just not funny. In fact it's disgusting. Braddock was putting an honest shift in and deserve nothing more than respect. Even watching the fight now knowing the result I will Braddock on as his honest endeavours deserve the world title. A unanimous decision that came was just reward not only for the boxer but for the man as well. Braddock had more class in his busted right-hand than Baer ever had in the ring.

Secondly, and this is not down to Baer, but when Baer took the heavyweight title from the German Max Schmeling in 1933 the whole circus around the fight was built on a lie. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as this is boxing promotion and why let the truth get in the way of a good story? But it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Watching documentaries on Baer it is said by the narrator: 'Baer fought Schmeling, the arrogant German, Hitler's favourite and a Nazi'. That is patently untrue and was as obviously untrue then as it is now. Max was never a Nazi. Never never never. Schmeling risked his own life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938. For that his effort against Nazism is world a million times more that anything Baer did, or any of the boxing promoters did. And yet they call him a Nazi!

And as for being 'arrogant': don't make me laugh. Look what he did for Louis, the friendship that endured. Complete rubbish.

Yes, he was German. The fact that he was German is the only thing they got correct. Schmeling's crime was to be around when the Nazi regime was in power. He could do nothing about that. He had to live with it.

Perhaps it's just me for when Baer was dismantled by Joe Louis towards the end of his career he became as popular with the American public as his good friend Jack Dempsey had been when he lost to Tunney a few years before. And I cannot deny that Baer in promoting the 'two ton' New Jersey born Tony Galento fight was hilarious ('Tony, put your interpreter on the line') as was Galento playing Galento. 'I'll moida da bum'.

In fact, Baer' clowning outside the ring can be very funny. He did alot of charity work and, by all accounts, was generous to a fault. How many of us will ever have two parks named after us like Baer?

Yes, I think I've been harsh. It's just me. Baer has alot of redeeming features I haven't mentioned above. It's just my gripes have overshadowed my objectivity as I'm a great Schmeling fan.

Max Baer

Real name: Maximilian Adelbert Baer
Nickname(s): Livermore Larupper, Madcap Maxie
Rated at: Heavyweight
Height: 6 ft 2 1/2 in (1.89 m)
Nationality: United States American
Born: February 11, 1909, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Died: November 21, 1959 (aged 50), Hollywood, California, U.S.
Stance: Orthodox

Boxing record
Total fights: 81
Wins: 68
Wins by KO: 52
Losses 13
Draws: 0

LIVERMORE LARUPPER:

Max Baer was the handsome, comical glamour boy from California with the dynamite in his right hand.

He had turned pro in Stockton, California in 1929, with a two-round knockout of Chief Caribou. A great natural athlete, blessed by nature with a devastating right hand, Baer was a playboy, enormously popular with women.

He became a top contender with his crushing 10-round knockout of Max Schmeling in Yankee Stadium in 1933. The following year he faced Primo Carnera the champion. The fight became a huge attraction, and was set for June 14, 1934 at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island City, across the East River from Manhattan. The odds fluctuated with Baer entering the ring as a slight favorite. The title bout was scheduled for 15 rounds.

Baer won by a TKO at 2:16 of the eleventh round, knocking down Carnera eleven times. Baer visited the ex-champion in the hospital bed he had sent him to.

Baer would remain champion exactly one year, losing the title to Jim Braddock in his first defense. Baer never got another title shot.

He was married twice and had three children, including the actor Max Baer, Jr. He was laid to rest in a garden crypt in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento.

Paul Page, Dec. 2012

FURTHER READING:

Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History