What if.... Braddock vs. Schmeling in 1936/37

[pundit]

What do yo think -- had politics not come into the frame and Braddock had taken on his mandatory Schmeling in 1936/37, could he have handled the "Black Uhlan"? Or would it have been a foregone conclusion that the world heavyweight title would have left for Nazi Germany?

[Ambling Alp]

I always thought this was an interesting question as well. Most people probably think Schmeling would win easily, but I'm not so sure. Overall, Schmeling was the better fighter, but the gap was smaller than most people think.

Braddock beat Baer who had knocked out Schmeling. Braddock was respectable in the Louis fight in 1937, especially considering he had not fought in 2 years. Of course Schmeling got crushed by Louis in 1938.
Braddock was on a roll; not only had he beaten Baer, but had beaten Lasky and Lewis, who had lost to previously. He had confidence and seemed to overcome his hand injuries.

Braddock had a great chin and would probably be able to go the distance. Braddock lacked Schmeling's power, so the fight would almost certainly go 15 rounds.

The sooner the fight took place after Braddock beat Baer, the better Braddock's chances. A fighter gets rusty when he is out of the ring for too long. So it would help Braddock's chances if the fight was 1936 rather than 1937 becasue he would be less rusty.

Having said all of this, I would still have bet on Schmeling but Braddock would have been competitive and had a chance.

[pundit]

I always thought this was an interesting question as well. Most people probably think Schmeling would win easily, but I'm not so sure. Overall, Schmeling was the better fighter, but the gap was smaller than most people think.

Braddock beat Baer who had knocked out Schmeling. Braddock was respectable in the Louis fight in 1937, especially considering he had not fought in 2 years. Of course Schmeling got crushed by Louis in 1938.
Braddock was on a roll; not only had he beaten Baer, but had beaten Lasky and Lewis, who had lost to previously. He had confidence and seemed to overcome his hand injuries.

Braddock had a great chin and would probably be able to go the distance. Braddock lacked Schmeling's power, so the fight would almost certainly go 15 rounds.

Actually Braddock was known as a puncher at light-heavyweight. Wisely though he opted to box Baer, sensing that he wouldn't win a slugfest. I reckon he would have adopted a similar strategy against Schmeling, jabbing, aiming for the occasional one-two combination and trying to circle away from Schmeling's feared right hook. Schmeling had a much tighter defense than Baer though and was a fine counterpucher, which would have made it difficult for Braddock to pile up enough clean connecting punches.

[raylawpc]

I tend to favor Schmeling. One reason is the two-year layoff Braddock took following the Baer fight. I think the layoff would have been hard to overcome for a fellow as old and shopworn as Braddock. Except for the flash knockdown in the first round, he showed great heart - but not much else - against the Bomber.

Schmeling, on the other hand, would have gone into the fight brimming with confidence from his victory over Louis just one year before.

[dempseyfire]

I always thought this was an interesting question as well. Most people probably think Schmeling would win easily, but I'm not so sure. Overall, Schmeling was the better fighter, but the gap was smaller than most people think.

Braddock beat Baer who had knocked out Schmeling. Braddock was respectable in the Louis fight in 1937, especially considering he had not fought in 2 years. Of course Schmeling got crushed by Louis in 1938.
Braddock was on a roll; not only had he beaten Baer, but had beaten Lasky and Lewis, who had lost to previously. He had confidence and seemed to overcome his hand injuries.

Braddock had a great chin and would probably be able to go the distance. Braddock lacked Schmeling's power, so the fight would almost certainly go 15 rounds.

Actually Braddock was known as a puncher at light-heavyweight. Wisely though he opted to box Baer, sensing that he wouldn't win a slugfest. I reckon he would have adopted a similar strategy against Schmeling, jabbing, aiming for the occasional one-two combination and trying to circle away from Schmeling's feared right hook. Schmeling had a much tighter defense than Baer though and was a fine counterpucher, which would have made it difficult for Braddock to pile up enough clean connecting punches.

Agree with this assesment. Braddock's performance vs Baer needs to be taken into context as Baer basically gave away the first 7 rounds being a jackass. I don't see Braddock's stick and move strategy working against the strength and counter-punching ability of Schmeling ,and think Braddock gets stopped late like Max did to Stribling.

[Ezzard]

I also have to go for Schmeling. I think he was a terrific fighter who suffered a lean period for one reason or another. I don't think Braddock was really in the same class. BUT Braddock would always make a fight of it and would win if Max was not on his game.