Max Baer 'The Comeback'

[gilgamesh]

He had a very active comeback too. Fighting more in 1936 than at any other point in his career. Knocking out 15 of 21 opponents that year. None of that bunch were particularly noteworthy fighters though. The only name that rings familiar to me at all is Bearcat Wright whom Baer beat via 6 round decision.

Definitely a big boost to his record statistically though as he was 60-10 with 45 KO's by the end of this year, and as you say 40-9 with 30 KO's at the start of it.

[dempseyfire]

Max Baer 'The Comeback'


At 226 lbs., the 6' 2 1/2" former Champion was 15 lbs. over his prime fighting weight.

The thing is though when you see footage of an older Baer fighting in the 220s, he doesn't look fat at all, and actually still appears quite lean. Shows you both how big a man Max was and how the standards of fitness, especially among the heavyweights, have devolved.

[HomicideHenry]

The critics were pretty tough on fighters back then.

They considered Max Baer 'washed up' at Age 27, and at 225 lbs., 'A Fat Max'.

When Baer and Galento fought in the title eliminator, it was ironically billed as 'The Battle of The Bums'. Pretty strange and ironic, considering years after that particular bout Baer was still winning 'Knockout of The Year' awards against guys like Pat Cominskey and Ben Foord. Though he was probably the dirtiest heavyweight I've ever seen on film, he had such charisma and was so likeable I could only imagine the kind of gate that an Ali/Baer fight could have had.