![]() "Men and women gravitated to him, not simply because he was good-looking but he exuded warmth." Braddock, Max Baer and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History," which notes that Baer had the "physique of a Greek god and the mentality of a circus clown." Part of Baer's appeal was his stature and demeanor, Jeremy Schaap writes in "Cinderella Man: James J. Jews especially hailed Baer for wearing the Star of David on his trunks, even though he did not practice the faith. Baer, whose father was Jewish, became a national hero in 1933 when he soundly thrashed German boxer Max Schmeling before 60,000 spectators at Yankee Stadium a few months after Hitler rose to power. ![]() But he was not the rude, cold-hearted ogre in the movie."īaer's family finds some comfort in two books - each with Braddock's nickname "Cinderella Man" in the title - published this year that gave more nuanced portrayals of Baer.īoth note that Baer was controversial but wildly popular in his day. It's OK to say my dad was a party animal of his era. He was a bizarre guy, a wonderful guy with kind heart, a great sense of humor and a weakness for the ladies. "All these people under age 50 are going to think my dad, Max Baer, is a total pig," said Max Baer Jr., 67, who played Jethro Bodine in the "Beverly Hillbillies" TV series. Baer had a Livermore park and a Sacramento charity named in his honor. He was, they said, a playful rogue who schmoozed with Hollywood stars and, though he might have been a little odd, was a good man. There is no question Baer was a bit of a scoundrel, but his family and historians said he was more complex than film director Ron Howard portrayed him. "I almost wanted to cry when I saw that movie," said Dorothy Tarte of Livermore. The recent film "Cinderella Man" reopened the controversy by portraying Baer as a loathsome, womanizing thug who boasted about killing Campbell and deserved the defeat handed to him by the film's hero, James Braddock, played by Russell Crowe. ![]() He didn't, but Campbell's death cemented the reputation of the "Livermore Larruper" as a crazy showboat whose powerful right hand could kill a man.Įven now, that fight and the reputation of a fighter who became world champion before dying in 1959 remain controversial. But Campbell's death - just 10 days after another young boxer died in the ring - also came as boxing in California fell under increasing scrutiny.Īll of that aside, a San Francisco Examiner editorial called it a "five- round execution," and it nearly ended the boxing career of Baer, who was cleared by a grand jury and vowed to quit boxing and return to butchering hogs at his parents' ranch in Livermore. Millions of Americans would sit by their radio to catch the major fights. At the Madison Square Garden Bowl, before a throng of 50,000, Baer knocked the giant Carnera down eleven times in eleven rounds.The fatal bout came at a time when boxing was second only to baseball as the nation's most popular sport. Now in line for the world heavyweight title, Baer fought Primo Carnera in 1934. Baer hammered Schmeling so thoroughly, referee Arthur Donovan stopped the fight in the tenth round. In 1933, in the best fight of his career, Baer beat Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium before 60,000 fans. The death was attributed in part to the beating administered by Baer. Not long after, Schaaf died following a bout with Primo Carnera. In 1932, Baer knocked Ernie Schaaf unconscious in the tenth round of what had been a fairly even fight. Jack Dempsey helped Baer shorten his punches and took an interest in him for the rest of his career. One victor, Hall of Famer Tommy Loughran, told Baer that he was looping and telegraphing his punches. ![]() Ultimately cleared of criminal charges, Baer was suspended from fighting in California for a year.īaer quit boxing for several months after Campbell's death, then lost four of his next six fights, partly because of his reluctance to go on the attack. In 1930, he was charged with manslaughter when Frankie Campbell, brother of baseball player Dolph Camilli, died as a result of a Baer knockout. Baer was in supreme condition and dangerous in the ring. He turned pro in 1929 and won 22 of his first 24 fights, nine with first-round knockouts. Early in his career, Baer trained with a zeal he did not demonstrate later.
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