Bob Baker vs. John Holman
Bob Baker 211 lbs beat John Holman 206 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12
- Date: 1956-05-09
- Location: Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
- Referee: Jimmy Peerless 119-114
- Judge: Stuart Winston 117-112
- Judge: Eddie Thal 117-114
This fight was part of elimination tournament to crown new heavyweight champion. Baker's most important fight!
"Bob Baker claimed today that his unanimous-but-dull victory over Johnny Holman has earned him the right to meet the Hurricane Jackson - Floyd Patterson winner in the next step toward the heavyweight championship. However, indications were strong that Wednesday night's nationally-televised fight here was so lacklustre that it eliminated both men from title contention. Baker and Holman both moved heavily and slowly throughout their bout at Miami Beach Auditorium. Baker, the No. 3 contender, jarred Holman, No. 4, with a hard right in the 5th round when the crowd of 3,000 was hollering for action and opened a cut in Johnny's mouth. Baker did the most damage in the 12 round bout, especially with a 6th round blow that opened a big gash over Holman's left eye, but there was not the slightest hint of a knockdown in the bout opening the tournament to find a new heavyweight king." -United Press
- Unofficial AP scorecard (UP card unknown) - 118-113 Baker
- Baker's manager, Dusty Bettor, claimed he had a verbal agreement with IBC President Jim Norris that Baker would be rewarded for this victory with a shot at the winner of the June 8th meeting between Jackson and Patterson. However, another IBC official stated that that promise hinged upon not only beating Holman but doing it in an impressive manner. Something which the IBC official felt Baker failed to do.