Max Baer: Legacy

[oogiebe]

My dad (RIP) always said that if Max Baer trained proper, he'd have been the greatest HW of all time. This was in the 70's during Ali's second reign. He touted Baer's right as the most lethal, even more so than Louis. Remembering the time my dad said that, what are your thoughts on this. Serious replies only (freakin' dating site).

[gilgamesh]

One dimensional fighter with tremendous right hand punching power, and a lackadaisical discipline that often resulted in him not giving the best he could've given.

I don't think he would've been the best Heavyweight ever regardless of how hard he worked, but he certainly could've had more success than he'd had I'd imagine as he was a very popular attraction, and a draw even during The Great Depression.

When you watch a lot of his fights he'd be disqualified in the modern era as he throws a lot of backhands (an illegal blow), I would've thought it was illegal then too, but he got away with it. So perhaps it wasn't ruled illegal until after his era.

He's certainly the best Jewish Heavyweight ever, I don't think you'd get much argument on that.

[BitPlayer]

[oogiebe]

One dimensional fighter with tremendous right hand punching power, and a lackadaisical discipline that often resulted in him not giving the best he could've given.

I don't think he would've been the best Heavyweight ever regardless of how hard he worked, but he certainly could've had more success than he'd had I'd imagine as he was a very popular attraction, and a draw even during The Great Depression.

When you watch a lot of his fights he'd be disqualified in the modern era as he throws a lot of backhands (an illegal blow), I would've thought it was illegal then too, but he got away with it. So perhaps it wasn't ruled illegal until after his era.

He's certainly the best Jewish Heavyweight ever, I don't think you'd get much argument on that.

He wore that star beginning his first fight against Schmeling yet we never hear about that. Dad said IF (big IF). Remember at the time the current champ was Ali so no Super HW as of yet. Big Caveats (training; focused, etc.) but that was his point.

[oogiebe]

One dimensional fighter with tremendous right hand punching power, and a lackadaisical discipline that often resulted in him not giving the best he could've given.

I don't think he would've been the best Heavyweight ever regardless of how hard he worked, but he certainly could've had more success than he'd had I'd imagine as he was a very popular attraction, and a draw even during The Great Depression.

When you watch a lot of his fights he'd be disqualified in the modern era as he throws a lot of backhands (an illegal blow), I would've thought it was illegal then too, but he got away with it. So perhaps it wasn't ruled illegal until after his era.

He's certainly the best Jewish Heavyweight ever, I don't think you'd get much argument on that.

You reminded me of the slew of Jewish boxers back then. Slapsie Maxie; Benny L., etc.

[gilgamesh]

One dimensional fighter with tremendous right hand punching power, and a lackadaisical discipline that often resulted in him not giving the best he could've given.

I don't think he would've been the best Heavyweight ever regardless of how hard he worked, but he certainly could've had more success than he'd had I'd imagine as he was a very popular attraction, and a draw even during The Great Depression.

When you watch a lot of his fights he'd be disqualified in the modern era as he throws a lot of backhands (an illegal blow), I would've thought it was illegal then too, but he got away with it. So perhaps it wasn't ruled illegal until after his era.

He's certainly the best Jewish Heavyweight ever, I don't think you'd get much argument on that.

He wore that star beginning his first fight against Schmeling yet we never hear about that. Dad said IF (big IF). Remember at the time the current champ was Ali so no Super HW as of yet. Big Caveats (training; focused, etc.) but that was his point.

I don't think Max Baer could've beaten Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes or George Foreman on the best day of his life. And that covers the guys that would've been around up through the 70's.

I don't think he would've been able to beat Gene Tunney or Jack Johnson either.

[gilgamesh]

One dimensional fighter with tremendous right hand punching power, and a lackadaisical discipline that often resulted in him not giving the best he could've given.

I don't think he would've been the best Heavyweight ever regardless of how hard he worked, but he certainly could've had more success than he'd had I'd imagine as he was a very popular attraction, and a draw even during The Great Depression.

When you watch a lot of his fights he'd be disqualified in the modern era as he throws a lot of backhands (an illegal blow), I would've thought it was illegal then too, but he got away with it. So perhaps it wasn't ruled illegal until after his era.

He's certainly the best Jewish Heavyweight ever, I don't think you'd get much argument on that.

You reminded me of the slew of Jewish boxers back then. Slapsie Maxie; Benny L., etc.

Benny's one of the best. The VERY best Jewish Boxer of all time was probably Barney Ross.

[oogiebe]

One dimensional fighter with tremendous right hand punching power, and a lackadaisical discipline that often resulted in him not giving the best he could've given.

I don't think he would've been the best Heavyweight ever regardless of how hard he worked, but he certainly could've had more success than he'd had I'd imagine as he was a very popular attraction, and a draw even during The Great Depression.

When you watch a lot of his fights he'd be disqualified in the modern era as he throws a lot of backhands (an illegal blow), I would've thought it was illegal then too, but he got away with it. So perhaps it wasn't ruled illegal until after his era.

He's certainly the best Jewish Heavyweight ever, I don't think you'd get much argument on that.

He wore that star beginning his first fight against Schmeling yet we never hear about that. Dad said IF (big IF). Remember at the time the current champ was Ali so no Super HW as of yet. Big Caveats (training; focused, etc.) but that was his point.

I don't think Max Baer could've beaten Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes or George Foreman on the best day of his life. And that covers the guys that would've been around up through the 70's.

I don't think he would've been able to beat Gene Tunney or Jack Johnson either.

You may be right, but Dad saw a lot of those guys live in NYC and Boroughs. He had a better 'viewpoint' than any of us. He saw something in Baer that really frustrated the man to his dying day. My dad was a pretty fair individual and rarely was he a "homer" or a "fanboy" in sports, except he hated Ali (family business, so yeah...personal).

[gilgamesh]

Was it the "Refusing the draft" thing? Because that's why a lot of people hated Ali

[oogiebe]

Was it the "Refusing the draft" thing? Because that's why a lot of people hated Ali

No, it was personal. Believe it or not. And to this day I wonder why no pics, no autographs, no nothing.

[gilgamesh]

Was it the "Refusing the draft" thing? Because that's why a lot of people hated Ali

No, it was personal. Believe it or not. And to this day I wonder why no pics, no autographs, no nothing.

Alright...well personal it can stay then. Unless you'd want to share with me via PM. I assure you it'd stay between me and you, but if you'd rather keep it a personal family secret I respect that, and I won't press the issue.

Just curious ya know.

[oogiebe]

Was it the "Refusing the draft" thing? Because that's why a lot of people hated Ali

No, it was personal. Believe it or not. And to this day I wonder why no pics, no autographs, no nothing.

Alright...well personal it can stay then. Unless you'd want to share with me via PM. I assure you it'd stay between me and you, but if you'd rather keep it a personal family secret I respect that, and I won't press the issue.

Just curious ya know.

Don't want folks coming back for any reason. I'll pm you.

[Kalan]

My dad (RIP) always said that if Max Baer trained proper, he'd have been the greatest HW of all time. This was in the 70's during Ali's second reign. He touted Baer's right as the most lethal, even more so than Louis. Remembering the time my dad said that, what are your thoughts on this. Serious replies only (freakin' dating site).

Baer was a good hitter but he was no Louis... Louis was a precision assassin... Not only was JL's natural athletic ability so much better than Baer's -- his stance, balance, jab, footwork, and defense were the product of one of the greatest trainers of all time in Jack Blackburn.. Louis fought Baer when he was only 14 months into his pro career.. He slaughtered him.. In fact Louis often said the Baer fight was the best fight of his life.. At 21 he was so quick it was unreal.. Louis was a like Mike Tyson.. He probably peaked at 21 -- and after he discovered women and night life it was all down hill from there.

[oogiebe]

My dad (RIP) always said that if Max Baer trained proper, he'd have been the greatest HW of all time. This was in the 70's during Ali's second reign. He touted Baer's right as the most lethal, even more so than Louis. Remembering the time my dad said that, what are your thoughts on this. Serious replies only (freakin' dating site).

Baer was a good hitter but he was no Louis... Louis was a precision assassin... Not only was JL's natural athletic ability so much better than Baer's -- his stance, balance, jab, footwork, and defense were the product of one of the greatest trainers of all time in Jack Blackburn.. Louis fought Baer when he was only 14 months into his pro career.. He slaughtered him.. In fact Louis often said the Baer fight was the best fight of his life.. At 21 he was so quick it was unreal.. Louis was a like Mike Tyson.. He probably peaked at 21 -- and after he discovered women and night life it was all down hill from there.

Great opinion! My dad lived through that time. I was fortunate to have his experiences with these guys shared over and over again. He wasn't the first person I heard say this sort of stuff. SO I respect your opinion, but I hold on dearly to my dad's. No right or wrong.

[man]

bear was just brutally strong. that is usually
not enough against a boxer with a punch.

[Kalan]

Exactly right!!!

[Caractacus]

famous actor/athlete Woody Strode had once said that Max Baer was his favorite fighter,
(that is until Joe Louis came on the scene around 1935).

[oogiebe]

famous actor/athlete Woody Strode had once said that Max Baer was his favorite fighter,
(that is until Joe Louis came on the scene around 1935).

Why am I not surprised. LOL!

[Kalan]

Baer had a great personality and that's why people liked him... Nobody liked Sharkey or Tunney... Joe Louis cracked jokes and they fell like dead mice on the floor... But people laughed out of respect... Baer, Tyson, and Foreman were actually very funny... They were off the cuff funny... Lennox Lewis tried to be funny and he stunk the joint out... When several of his lines at a roast bombed in a row Lewis said, "You guys can laugh if you like...It's okay" and that was his funniest joke of the night.

It seemed like Ali stayed up half the night composing his jokes and poetry... They worked to a certain degree but he had to work hard at it.. He wasn't naturally funny like Baer.

[oogiebe]

Baer had a great personality and that's why people liked him... Nobody liked Sharkey or Tunney... Joe Louis cracked jokes and they fell like dead mice on the floor... But people laughed out of respect... Baer, Tyson, and Foreman were actually very funny... They were off the cuff funny... Lennox Lewis tried to be funny and he stunk the joint out... When several of his lines at a roast bombed in a row Lewis said, "You guys can laugh if you like...It's okay" and that was his funniest joke of the night.

It seemed like Ali stayed up half the night composing his jokes and poetry... They worked to a certain degree but he had to work hard at it.. He wasn't naturally funny like Baer.

LOL! Good Post Kalan.

[Caractacus]

even while in obvious pain ,Max Baer was a natural "Ham".

[oogiebe]

even in pain ,Max Baer was a natural "Ham".

LOL! Nice post Caractacus. Never saw that! Thanks!

[gilgamesh]

Baer had a great personality and that's why people liked him... Nobody liked Sharkey or Tunney... Joe Louis cracked jokes and they fell like dead mice on the floor... But people laughed out of respect... Baer, Tyson, and Foreman were actually very funny... They were off the cuff funny... Lennox Lewis tried to be funny and he stunk the joint out... When several of his lines at a roast bombed in a row Lewis said, "You guys can laugh if you like...It's okay" and that was his funniest joke of the night.

It seemed like Ali stayed up half the night composing his jokes and poetry... They worked to a certain degree but he had to work hard at it.. He wasn't naturally funny like Baer.

A lot of the all time great Comedians are Jewish so you could almost say it's in his genetics to be naturally funny, and perhaps it is.

[Kalan]

You wouldn't be any more likely to be funny if you're Jewish than if you're Black, Irish, Italian, Dutch, or Mexican... But oppressed minorities often get into the entertainment industry... They need a sense of humor with their background.

One of Ali's first poems went something like -- The Fight Game was Dying .... and Promoters were Crying ... For Someone to Come Along .... with a New and Different Song ... Floyd Patterson was Dull, Quiet, and Sad ... and Sonny Liston was twice as Bad ... Then out of Louisville Kentucky came a Man so Young and Pretty ... with an Articulate Tongue and a Mind so Witty ... etc... It was a pretty long poem actually, but the opening lines were catchy so I remember some of them.

But generally speaking not too many boxers are funny or entertaining right now in the US... It's a very serious business because the objective is to hurt the other fellow... Gassiev and Bivol are supposedly very funny -- but nobody would know because they speak Russian.. Lomachenko is supposed to be funny, but he barely speaks English..

One problem in America is world competition right now is rising and getting stronger -- above 147 Deontay Wilder is the only established World Champion who's American... You have David Benavidez and Caleb Truax who hold minor Titles.. Truax doesn't look like a guy who'll do anything.. Wilder tries really hard at the personality thing, but he's a mixed bag.. So there's a serious lack of powerful ring personalities in the USA right now.

[gilgamesh]

There are oodles and oodles of Jewish Comedy legends. I'm not saying being Jewish makes it more likely that you'd be funny necessarily, but the history of 20th century entertainment would certainly suggest that the Hebrew folk are often gifted with a great sense of humor

The 3 Stooges
The Marx Bros.
Seinfeld
Don Rickles
Andy Kaufman
Gene Wilder
Mel Brooks
Rodney Dangerfield
David Cross
Gilbert Gottfried
Mel Blanc (The voice of the Looney Tunes)
Peter Sellers

You could go on and on.