Baer, Max

Maximillion Adelbert Baer

Nicknamed "Madcap Maxie," and the "Livermore Larupper," Baer was the World Heavyweight Champion from 1934-35. The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book said that Max possessed perhaps "the most powerful right hand in heavyweight history." Although never realizing his full potential, his colorful persona entertained the country during the Depression.

Max turned professional in 1929, and won 22 of his first 24 fights, while training with a zeal he did not possess later in his career. His conditioning, combined with his tremendous power, made him a formidable foe. In 1930, he was charged with manslaughter when Frankie Campbell died as a result of a Baer knockout. He was cleared of all charges, but quit boxing for several months.

When he returned to the ring, Baer seemed to be unwilling to attack his opponents. Hall of Famer Tommy Loughran told him he was telegraphing his punches, and Jack Dempsey worked with Baer to shorten his punches. In June 1933, in the best fight of his career, Baer thoroughly defeated Max Schmeling in front of 60,000 at Yankee Stadium; the referee stopped the fight in the 10th-round.

Baer received his title shot the following year, and defeated Primo Carnera in June 1934, knocking the champ down 11 times before the fight was stopped in the 11th-round. At the height of his fame, Baer starred in a movie and lived the social high life (he was constantly romantically linked to movie stars, chorus girls, and broadway starlets), but refused to train seriously. In June 1935, in his first title defense, Max lost the title in a 15-round decision to James J. Braddock in a huge upset. His next fight was a loss to Joe Louis. During the fight, Baer returned to his corner (Jack Dempsey was in his corner), and said he could not breath. Dempsey said: "I conned him into the ring...I told him I'd kill him with the water bottle if he didn't go back out there and get knocked out." Baer was knocked out by Louis in the fourth round. He retired from boxing in 1941 with a career record of 72 wins (52 knockouts), and 12 losses. Baer is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Confusion surrounds Baer, and his brother Buddy. Although their father was not a practicing Jew and their mother was of Scot-Irish descent, Max wore a Magen David on his trunks and proclaimed himself a Jew. Many, however, believed this was done for publicity alone. He is the father of Max Baer Jr., who portrayed Jethro on the television show The Beverly Hillbillies.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. February 11, 1909 - d. November 21, 1959

Origin:
Omaha, Nebraska

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