Max Baer
Max Baer was an American professional boxer who became a prominent figure in the heavyweight division during the 1930s. Born Maximilian Adelbert Baer, he grew up in Livermore, California, where he developed exceptional strength while working in his father's butcher shop. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds by his late teens, Baer transitioned to boxing, quickly establishing himself as an aggressive fighter known for his knockout power, despite his limited technique. His career took off after defeating notable opponents, including former champion Max Schmeling, ultimately winning the heavyweight title by defeating Primo Carnera in 1934.
Despite his success, Baer's preference for a social lifestyle over rigorous training led to a decline in his performance, culminating in a significant upset loss to James J. Braddock in 1935, which cost him his title. His career continued with victories and setbacks until he announced his retirement in 1941 after losses to Lou Nova. Following World War II, where he served as a physical fitness instructor, Baer pursued a career in Hollywood. He passed away on November 21, 1959, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and charismatic boxer who entertained fans with both his fighting style and his larger-than-life personality.
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Subject Terms
Max Baer
Boxer
- Born: February 11, 1909
- Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska
- Died: November 21, 1959
- Place of death: Hollywood, California
Sport: Boxing
Early Life
Maximilian Adelbert Baer was the son of an Omaha butcher. Max’s family soon left Omaha and eventually wound up in Livermore, California. Max attended high school only one year, quitting to work in his father’s butcher shop. He developed great stamina and strength through the arduous labor he engaged in; he later admitted his famous right-hand punch developed from swinging the butcher’s cleaver. By age eighteen, Max stood 6 feet tall and weighed 190 pounds. As a teenager, Max discovered that he had unusual strength and ability in fights. He also found fighting to be enjoyable and decided to try it professionally. He moved to Oakland, California, a leading area for boxing on the West Coast.
The Road to Excellence
After he moved to Oakland, Max quickly established himself as a promising local fighter. He did not win all his bouts: in 1930, a veteran heavyweight Les Kennedy won a decision against him in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, he compiled an impressive record and was able to defeat a number of more experienced opponents. The manner in which Max was able to accomplish this helped to account for his popularity. He did not know much boxing technique but made up for this deficiency with his fast and furious assaults. He came at his opponent again and again, slugging away until he battered his hapless foe unconscious. Most of his fights ended by knockout.
In 1930, Max’s fighting strategy led to a sad outcome in his match with Frankie Campbell. Max attacked in his usual fashion and knocked Campbell out in the fifth round. Campbell never regained consciousness, and his death strongly affected Max. For a while he considered giving up boxing. Through the help of Ancil Hoffman, a promoter who took Max under his wing, Max was able to overcome the emotional shock of killing a man. On December 19, 1930, he made his New York debut against Ernie Schaaf in Madison Square Garden. Schaaf had superior ring knowledge and was able to win more points than his young rival in a ten-round decision. The New York boxing audience, however, found Max’s aggressive style and obvious talent impressive, and his career was well on its way.
The Emerging Champion
Max so far had proven to be an outstanding fighter but by no means one of the world’s best. In 1931, Tommy Loughran, probably the smartest heavyweight of the early 1930’s, easily won a decision against him. Max showed great determination, however, and came back from his losses resolved to do better. Under Hoffman’s instruction, he developed into a skilled boxer as well as a lethal puncher. He continued to win most of his matches and became recognized as one of the best heavyweights in the country. On August 31, 1932, he avenged his loss to Schaaf in a bout in Chicago. The way in which the fight ended was vintage Max. In the ninth round, Max charged at Schaaf with a series of devastating punches. Schaaf collapsed unconscious, and, although he was saved by the bell, he was still unconscious when the next round began.
Max’s career took a giant step forward in his victory over Max Schmeling on June 8, 1933. Schmeling had been world heavyweight champion and was a leading contender to regain his title. At first, Max Baer’s characteristic charges had little effect on the former champion, who, in his methodical way, seemed on the road to an easy win. Max once more showed his determination to let nothing stop him. He began a counterattack against Schmeling, and by the eleventh round Max’s opponent was helpless.
Winning the heavyweight title was something of an anticlimax. The champion, the gigantic Italian Primo Carnera, knew little about boxing and had become champion under odd circumstances. On June 14, 1934, in Long Island, New York, Max became world heavyweight champion by defeating Carnera. Before the fight was stopped, he had knocked Carnera down twelve times.
Continuing the Story
A problem had developed in Max’s rise to the top, and this was to prove his undoing. He did not like to train. Instead, he preferred going to parties and drinking with his friends. He especially liked to associate with actors and knew many Hollywood personalities. Although his fun-loving personality helped him to become popular, it was hardly the best course of action for a successful boxer. He defended his title against James J. Braddock in Madison Square Garden on June 13, 1935, and was easily defeated. This was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Although Braddock had achieved a good record in his long career, he was not regarded as an extraordinary fighter. Max did not take him seriously and failed to train as much as he should have. He paid a heavy price: the loss of his title, which he never regained.
Max began training as he should have for the fight with Braddock, and a match with Joe Louis was scheduled for Yankee Stadium in September, 1935. Unfortunately for Max, his opponent was one of the greatest boxers of all time, and Louis showed himself the superior fighter with little difficulty, knocking Max out in four rounds. Max did not give up. Under the guidance of the ever-present Hoffman, he toured England. Although he lost to Tommy Farr, the English champion, Max decisively defeated Farr in a rematch held in the United States. Max’s comeback seemed on its way when he scored a victory over Tony Galento, one of the roughest fighters of the period. Boxing is a sport marked by rapid reversals of fortune, however, and the comeback came to a quick end. In 1941, after two losses to Lou Nova, Max announced his permanent retirement from boxing.
During World War II, he served as a physical fitness instructor in the U.S. Army. After the war, he moved to Hollywood and made a number of movies. He died on November 21, 1959, after suffering a heart attack. In 2005, Craig Bierko portrayed Max in Ron Howard’s movie Cinderella Man, based on the life of Braddock and centered on the fight between Braddock and Max.
Summary
Although Max Baer was not the greatest boxer of the 1930’s, his ring power and tenacious attitude won him a world’s title. He electrified his many fans with his fierce attacks and amused them with his party-going. Although he sometimes neglected his training, his natural talent and power made him a standout.
Bibliography
Hudson, David L., and Mike Fitzgerald. Boxing’s Most Wanted: The Top Ten Book of Champs, Chumps, and Punch-Drunk Palookas. Washington, D.C.: Brassey’s, 2004.
Mee, Bob. Boxing: Heroes and Champions. Edison, N.J.: Chartwell Books, 1997.
Schaap, Jeremy. Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005.
Sugar, Bert Randolph. Boxing’s Greatest Fighters. Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press, 2006.