RCM Historical Boxing: Max Baer’s Brightest Moment and Darkest Moments
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In reviewing historical black and white footage on Max Baer, the late former world heavyweight champion, a number of forgotten bouts come to mind.
On August 25, 1930, Baer knocked out Frankie Campbell in the fifth round of a scheduled 10 rounder at Recreation Park in San Francisco, California. Campbell died in the hospital the following days from injuries received. It has often been said no fighter who kills a man in the ring is ever the same, from Sugar Ray Robinson to Emile Griffith, from Wilford Scypion to Ray Mancini. Max Baer was no exception. Though he did go on to win the heavyweight title., he was rumored to take it easy on his later opponents when he had them in trouble.
On June 8, 1933, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, stopped Max Schmeling in the tenth round of a scheduled 15 rounder in Jack Dempsey’s first promotional venture.
On June 14, 1934, Max Baer stopped Primo Carnera in Long Island City Queens, in the eleventh round of a scheduled 15 rounder to win the world heavyweight title. On June 13, 1935, Baer lost the world heavyweight title in his first defense in Long Island City Queens to James Braddock by 15 round majority decision. At September 24, 1935, Baer was knocked out after the fourth round bell by rising Joe Louis.
Baer won many fights after that, losing and then defeating Tommy Farr, stopping Tony ‘Two Ton’ Galento, and losing to Lou Nova twice. After his last bout in 1941, Baer was a physical conditioning trainer in U.S. Air Force during World War II, and later became a professional actor. His career record was 88 wins and 13 losses, with 51 knockouts. He died in November 1959 at age 50. The Livermore Larupper, The Clown Prince of Boxing, Hall of Fame World Heavyweight champion had died young. He could have had another shot at Joe Louis for the world title, but after losing to Lou Nova a second time, he gave up.
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