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Buddy Baer

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Buddy Baer
Born
Jacob Henry Baer

(1915-06-11)June 11, 1915
Denver, Colorado, U.S.[2]
DiedJuly 18, 1986(1986-07-18) (aged 71)
Martinez, California, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Reach84 in (213 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights66[1]
Wins59
Wins by KO53
Losses7

Jacob Henry "Buddy" Baer (June 11, 1915 – July 18, 1986) was an American boxer and later an actor with parts in seventeen films, as well as roles on multiple television series in the 1950s and 1960s.[2][3]

In 1941, he came extremely close to boxing stardom at Washington's Griffith Stadium, when in the opinion of most ringside officials, Joe Louis gave him a disqualifying late sixth-round hit in a title match that should have made Baer the world heavyweight champion. He lost to Louis in a rematch for the title the following year but remained solidly ranked among the top heavyweights in the early 1940s. In 2003, Baer was chosen for The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. He was the younger brother of boxing heavyweight champion and actor Max Baer, and the uncle of actor Max Baer Jr.

Boxing career

[edit]

Baer was born in Denver, Colorado,[2][1] on June 11, 1915, to father Jacob, a butcher, and mother Dora Bales. However, a few sources, such as his brother Max, list his birthplace as Omaha, Nebraska. He moved with his family to California in 1928, living first in Livermore in 1926 and then Hayward, before settling in the early 1930s in Sacramento, where he would later retire. Both Buddy and his brother Max had a large Jewish following, for they claimed Jewish ancestry on their father's side and frequently wore a Star of David on their boxing trunks. Neither brother, however, appeared to be observant or openly religious, and their claims of Jewish heritage were questioned by trainer Ray Arcel.[4][5] Standing at 6' 6+1⁄2" (1.99 m), Baer fought from 1934 to 1942. Baer's manager during the largest portion of his boxing career was Ancil Hoffman, who also managed Max's career for a period.[1]

Early career

[edit]

In his professional debut, Baer knocked out Tiny Abbott, 1:54 into the first round on September 23, 1934, in Eureka, California. A boxer of some repute, the towering 6' 8" Abbott had twice faced Baer's brother Max, and though it was Baer's first time in the ring, the more experienced Abbott was nearing the end of his career. Baer had a long winning streak following his debut fight until he met Babe Hunt. On January 10, 1935, Baer was defeated in a four-round bout, losing on points to Hunt at Boston's Rickard Recreation Center.[1] The loss was Baer's first in thirteen straight fights, twelve of which Baer won by knockout. Though Hunt had a bad second round, he came back strongly in the third and fourth to win by unanimous decision.[6]

He completed a technical knockout of Jack O'Dowd at 2:10 into the second round at Detroit's Olympia Stadium on January 4, 1935. On a ticket that included Joe Louis, the total audience reached 15,853. The crowd witnessed a performance from Baer, who outweighed his opponent by 29 pounds, less than his typical advantage. In an odd victory, O'Dowd, who seemed to lack the will to fight, was down five times in the first round, in a few instances without actually being hit.[7][8] Though O'Dowd had faced the great Joe Louis the previous year, he showed no desire to mix with Baer and appeared thoroughly outmatched. [citation needed]

Frank Connolly, a former Golden Gloves champion, fell to Baer on March 20, 1935, in a convincing first-round knockout at the Oakland Auditorium before a substantial early-career crowd of 9,500. The final blow was a right hook that started low and came up with enormous power to knock out Connolly, who weighed 245, only a pound heavier than Baer.[9]

Baer defeated Al Delaney on July 18, 1935, in a four-round knockout at Buffalo's Offerman Stadium. In a complete victory, Baer had Delaney down five times before the referee counted him out 34 seconds into the fourth round from a right behind the ear.[10] In the opening round, Baer was knocked to his knees by a strong left, but he recovered, and had his own way for the rest of the match.[11]

Match with Ford Smith

[edit]

On the ticket of the Max Baer-Joe Louis match, he had one of his most lucrative bouts on September 4, 1935, when he lost a six-round wind-up match to Ford Smith in New York before an immense crowd of 90,000 fans at Yankee Stadium.[12] Baer tried to overpower Smith in the early rounds with his punching ability, but Smith moved, blocked, and weathered the storm. In later rounds, Baer was less effective with intermittent looping blows that Smith countered with sharp, short punches to the body. Baer was tired in the last round, and though he had an advantage in reach and weight, he did little damage in his final rally, having lost speed and precision in his blows. The more experienced Smith took four of the six rounds.[13][14] According to one source, his purse for the match, which was the most heavily attended in New York history, was $42,000. Louis, who won the title match against brother Max, had a purse of $200,000.[2][1]

At this early stage of his career, Baer suffered a rare loss on April 22, 1936, dropping a six-round decision to Frenchman Andre Lenglet at Oakland's Municipal Auditorium. Baer looked strong in the first and had a brief rally in the fifth but lost his chance when Lenglet snapped back with a defense. One reporter, who wrote that Lenglet won each round by a large margin, noted that Baer failed to score with a telling blow throughout the match. Lenglet scored well with short left jabs to the face, and followups to the midriff and his frequent changes of pace confused Baer's ability to use his strong right.[15]

In an important match on May 24, 1937, Baer outpointed Jack London, later the holder of the Commonwealth Boxing Council's Heavyweight title from 1944 to 1945. Baer won on points in a ten-round decision at Swansea, England, and though he had a significant advantage in height of nearly eight inches, he had only twenty pounds in weight over the sturdy London boxer.[16][1] Two weeks earlier, Baer had defeated Jim Wilde at Harringay Arena in a fourth-round technical knockout. With dominance and punching power, he had Wilde down three times in the first round and for a count of eight in the third. After being knocked to the canvas for a count of five in the opening of the fourth, the referee called the match. British rules required ending a bout after five knockdowns.[17][18]

Match with top contender Abe Simon

[edit]

He brought a stop to seasoned Jewish heavyweight Abe Simon before 25,000 fans, on August 30, 1937, scoring a technical knockout at Yankee Stadium in 2:38 of the third round. Though Simon punished Baer severely in the first and had him hanging from the ropes with a two-fisted attack, Baer rallied in the second with sharp left jabs and a stinging right cross and had Simon down and then staggering in the third when the referee called the fight. Both fighters had exceptional weight and reach and though Baer had a two-inch advantage in height, Simon, a giant himself, actually outweighed Baer by seven pounds.[19][20]

Painful loss to Gunar Barlund

[edit]

Baer lost to gifted Finnish boxer Gunnar Barlund on March 4, 1938, before 8,565 fans in a seventh-round technical knockout at Madison Square Garden. Baer had a forty-pound weight advantage over Barlund, and 5+1⁄2-inch advantage in height, but lacked stamina and heart as the fight progressed. Baer performed well in the first, cutting Barlund's forehead and nose with stinging left jabs and an occasional right, while Barlund lost points for low blows. In the second, however, Gunnar reached Baer with a few punches and then getting his range, took the second, third, and fourth. Baer maintained an edge in the fifth, and though both showed fatigue, Gunnar took the sixth, scoring at least ten straight rights and lefts without a return. In the seventh, Barlund drove Baer into the ropes with a heavy barrage. He followed him across the ring when Baer retreated and continued his attack, Baer seeming to give up, dropping his hands to his sides during the attack, and after coming from a clinch signaling the referee to end the fight. The referee asked Baer, apparently hurt, if he wished to continue, and decided to stop the fight, 1:36 into the seventh. Baer made no excuses for his performances but believed his layoff from the ring had affected his timing and ability to connect punches, particularly his right. Barlund successfully circled away from Baer's hard overhand right.[21][22]

Three wins; Savold, Mann, and Blackshear

[edit]

He defeated Lee Savold in an important match on October 30, 1939, in an eight-round newspaper decision before 3,500 in Des Moine, Iowa. After a brief exchange, Baer had his opponent down for a count of eight in the first round from a right uppercut, and though Savold battled hard in the remaining rounds, he struggled to connect blows after his rough first round.[23][24] Most reporters gave five rounds to Baer with only two to Savold in the hotly contested match.[25]

He defeated Nathan Mann on May 3, 1940, before 5000, in a seventh-round technical knockout at New York's Madison Square Garden.[1] In the match, Baer took the first four rounds, but Mann took the next four with cutting hooks to the head and body. A savage right hook in the opening of the seventh severely cut Mann's eye, causing his handlers to end the fight.[26]

Winning in a three-round technical knockout before 4,000 fans, he defeated accomplished boxer Harold Blackshear, who maintained a winning record and a 50% knockout percentage, on December 17, 1940, at Oakland's Auditorium. Baer had the advantages of roughly five inches in reach, 5.5 inches in height, and 49 pounds in weight, as well as his superior punching ability. He toyed with Blackshear for the first two-and-a-half rounds, before commencing a clubbing and brutal assault in the third that led to the end of the charity bout. Many at ringside considered the bout a mismatch. Although he pocketed $2,500 for the contest, Baer had faced stronger opposition in the recent past, as Blackshear had dropped his last two fights, suffering a loss and a strong knockout.[27]

Loss to Eddie Blunt in Oakland

[edit]

Baer lost to Eddie Blunt on January 15, 1941, at the Auditorium in Oakland in a ten-round points decision. Though Baer was a 3-1 favorite in the early betting, Blunt won eight of the ten rounds. Despite a weight disadvantage of twenty-four pounds, Blunt kept Baer off balance with long lefts and stiff uppercuts throughout the match, and by the fifth had cut Baer's eyes, after which Baer kept losing ground. The fifth through seventh rounds were hard fought with both boxers fighting toe to toe.[28] Though Baer attempted a rally in the tenth, it was far too late to make up the points differential, though he managed to win the round. In the words of one reporter, "Baer took one of the most beautiful shellackings of his erratic career".[29] Baer required stitches above both eyes, and it was evident he would need a break before his next fight.[30]

In a ramp up to a heavyweight title match, he defeated colorful contender Tony Galento before 8,500 fans on April 8, 1941, in a seventh-round technical knockout in Washington, D.C., when Galento had to discontinue the bout due to a broken hand. Galento took the first round backing Baer into the ropes with a few hard rights, but the second was even, and Baer took the remaining rounds. Baer used his superior reach in the remaining rounds to keep Galento from boring in, and in the fourth, he staggered Galento with a hard right to the mouth. Another solid blow in the sixth caused Galento to lose his mouthpiece, and there were some hard punches, but the match featured no knockdowns. The win was a solid one for Baer.[31][1] Baer succeeded in connecting with solid lefts to Galento's head and both lefts and rights to his body.[32]

World heavy title contender

[edit]
Joe Louis, 1941

The highlight of his boxing career came in his two attempts to take the heavyweight boxing championship from Joe Louis. In their first fight on May 23, 1941, Baer caught Louis with a powerful left hook in the first round and knocked the champion out of the ring. Louis, however, hurt but unfazed, climbed back in before the count of ten, though many ringside believed Louis benefited from a long count. Louis eventually won the fight on a disqualification after he had knocked down Baer three times in the sixth. Baer claimed that his third knockdown came shortly after the bell had rung to end the sixth round. In the seventh, when Baer's handlers refused to leave the ring as they protested what they believed was a late hit in the sixth, the referee, Arthur Donovan, disqualified Baer in a technical knockout for not resuming the match. In a controversial decision, the referee believed the last hit came before or during the final bell, but most ringside officials, including the official timekeeper, knockdown timekeeper, and both judges believed the final blow came after the bell, which should have disqualified Louis. The final decision of the boxing commissioner favored the referee, and Louis retained the title. Regardless of the decision, many ringside believed Louis would have eventually won the fight, as he punished Baer repeatedly in the sixth, and had fully recovered from his knockdown in the first. Baer, nonetheless, came closer to defeating Louis and taking the title than any of the other opponents Louis would face, until losing to Ezzard Charles in 1950.[33][34]

In their rematch in Madison Square Garden, on January 9, 1942, before an estimated crowd of 19,000, Louis knocked Baer out in the first, after downing him two previous times. His second knockdown, after a barrage of blows and a thundering left hook, resulted in a count of nine. After rising to his feet again, Baer was battered around the ring and floored for the last time with a straight right to the head that put him down for a seven count. Unable to get up, the count was completed and the fight ended. Baer subsequently remarked, "The only way I could have beaten Louis that night was with a baseball bat."[1][35] A year later he said, "I had to quit. I injured my neck in an auto crash before the fight".[36]

Professional boxing record

[edit]

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[37] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

[edit]
66 fights 57 wins 7 losses
By knockout 53 2
By decision 4 4
By disqualification 0 1
Newspaper decisions/draws 2

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
66 Loss 57–7 (2) Joe Louis KO 1 (15), 2:56 Jan 9, 1942 26 years, 212 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
65 Loss 57–6 (2) Joe Louis DQ 7 (15), 3:00 May 23, 1941 25 years, 346 days Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles;
Baer disqualified after his manager refused to leave the ring
64 Win 57–5 (2) Tony Galento TKO 7 (10) Apr 8, 1941 25 years, 301 days Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
63 Loss 56–5 (2) Eddie Blunt PTS 10 Jan 15, 1941 25 years, 218 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
62 Win 56–4 (2) Harold Blackshear TKO 3 (10), 2:45 Dec 17, 1940 25 years, 189 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
61 Win 55–4 (2) Valentin Campolo KO 1 (12), 1:53 Jun 6, 1940 24 years, 361 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
60 Win 54–4 (2) Nathan Mann TKO 7 (12), 1:36 May 3, 1940 24 years, 327 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
59 Win 53–4 (2) Lee Savold NWS 8 Oct 30, 1938 23 years, 141 days Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
58 Win 53–4 (1) Charley Neaves KO 2 (10) Oct 13, 1938 23 years, 124 days Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
57 Win 52–4 (1) Maxie Doyle TKO 3 (10) Oct 12, 1938 23 years, 123 days Little Rock, Wyoming, U.S.
56 Win 51–4 (1) Sandy McDonald KO 2 (10) Oct 5, 1938 23 years, 116 days Hubber Park, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
55 Win 50–4 (1) Big Boy Brackey TKO 2 (10), 1:10 Apr 4, 1938 22 years, 297 days Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
54 Win 49–4 (1) Chuck Crowell KO 1 (10), 0:54 Mar 10, 1938 22 years, 272 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Loss 48–4 (1) Gunnar Bärlund TKO 7 (10) Mar 4, 1938 22 years, 266 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52 Win 48–3 (1) Eddie Hogan TKO 3 (10), 2:21 Dec 17, 1937 22 years, 189 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 47–3 (1) Abe Simon TKO 3 (6), 2:38 Aug 30, 1937 22 years, 80 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
50 Win 46–3 (1) Jack London PTS 10 May 24, 1937 21 years, 347 days Vetch Field, Swansea, Wales
49 Win 45–3 (1) Jim Wilde TKO 4 (10) May 6, 1937 21 years, 329 days Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
48 Win 44–3 (1) Patrick Michael Barry KO 1 (10), 2:46 Dec 9, 1936 21 years, 181 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
47 Win 43–3 (1) Salvatore Ruggirello KO 2 (10) Oct 19, 1936 21 years, 130 days Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
46 Win 42–3 (1) Art Oliver KO 4 (6) Oct 8, 1936 21 years, 119 days Platteville, Wisconsin, U.S.
45 Win 41–3 (1) Babe Davis KO 6 (6) Oct 6, 1936 21 years, 117 days Coliseum, Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
44 Win 40–3 (1) Verne Trickle KO 5 (6) Sep 21, 1936 21 years, 102 days Sheldon, Iowa, U.S.
43 Win 39–3 (1) Pret Ferrar NWS 6 Sep 14, 1936 21 years, 95 days Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
42 Win 39–3 Fred Schultz KO 1 (4), 1:28 Sep 7, 1936 21 years, 88 days Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
41 Win 38–3 Babe Hunt KO 1 (6) Sep 4, 1936 21 years, 85 days Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
40 Win 37–3 Jack Conroy KO 1 (10) Sep 2, 1936 21 years, 83 days Lincoln Field, Twin Falls, Idaho, U.S.
39 Win 36–3 James J. Russell KO 1 (6) Aug 31, 1936 21 years, 81 days Memorial Ball Park, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
38 Win 35–3 Don Baxter PTS 6 Aug 29, 1936 21 years, 79 days Recreation Park, Lewiston, Idaho, U.S.
37 Win 34–3 Bill Devere KO 2 (6), 0:07 Aug 25, 1936 21 years, 75 days Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
36 Win 33–3 Mickey Simpson KO 2 (6) Aug 24, 1936 21 years, 74 days Armory, Marshfield, Oregon, U.S.
35 Win 32–3 Ray Jarecki KO 1 (6), 0:34 Jul 24, 1936 21 years, 43 days Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah, U.S.
34 Win 31–3 Rags Wood KO 1 (4) Jul 17, 1936 21 years, 36 days Convention Hall, Ada, Oklahoma, U.S.
33 Win 30–3 James Merriott KO 1 (?) Jul 16, 1936 21 years, 35 days Coliseum, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
32 Win 29–3 Charles Montgomery KO 1 (4) Jul 13, 1936 21 years, 32 days Avey's Open-Air Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
31 Loss 28–3 Andre Lenglet PTS 6 Apr 22, 1936 20 years, 316 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
30 Win 28–2 Jack Petric KO 1 (4) Mar 25, 1936 20 years, 288 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
29 Win 27–2 Harold Murphy PTS 4 Mar 2, 1936 20 years, 265 days Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
28 Win 26–2 Wally Hunt KO 1 (4), 1:36 Feb 19, 1936 20 years, 253 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
27 Loss 25–2 Ford Smith PTS 6 Sep 24, 1935 20 years, 105 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 25–1 Jack Doyle KO 1 (6), 2:38 Aug 29, 1935 20 years, 79 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 24–1 Artie Suess TKO 4 (6) Jul 26, 1935 20 years, 45 days Boardwalk Arena, Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 23–1 Al Delaney KO 4 (4), 0:34 Jul 18, 1935 20 years, 37 days Offermann Stadium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 Frank Wotanski KO 1 (4), 0:54 Jun 25, 1935 20 years, 14 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 21–1 Big Boy Brackey KO 1 (4), 1:42 May 23, 1935 19 years, 346 days Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
21 Win 20–1 Ed Anderson PTS 4 Apr 18, 1935 19 years, 311 days National Guard Armory, Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
20 Win 19–1 Tommy Davenport KO 1 (6) Apr 17, 1935 19 years, 310 days I.M.A. Auditorium, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
19 Win 18–1 John "Corn" Griffin KO 2 (4) Apr 12, 1935 19 years, 305 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
18 Win 17–1 Harry Nelson TKO 3 (10) Apr 10, 1935 19 years, 303 days Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Frank Connolly KO 1 (6) Mar 20, 1935 19 years, 282 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Tommy Davenport KO 1 (10) Jan 28, 1935 19 years, 231 days Municipal Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Monty Hogan KO 1 (4), 0:31 Jan 21, 1935 19 years, 224 days Rikard Recreation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Loss 13–1 Babe Hunt PTS 4 Jan 10, 1935 19 years, 213 days Rikard Recreation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Jack O'Dowd TKO 1 (6), 2:10 Jan 4, 1935 19 years, 207 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Gene Stanton TKO 1 (6) Dec 28, 1934 19 years, 200 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Henry Surrette KO 1 (4), 2:47 Dec 21, 1934 19 years, 193 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Bumbo Myers KO 2 (4), 2:00 Dec 19, 1934 19 years, 191 days Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Bob Cook KO 1 (6) Dec 14, 1934 19 years, 186 days Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Mickey McGoorty TKO 1 (6), 1:22 Dec 10, 1934 19 years, 182 days Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Red Fields TKO 1 (6), 0:50 Dec 6, 1934 19 years, 178 days Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Johnny Baker KO 2 (6), 0:35 Dec 4, 1934 19 years, 176 days Waterloo Theatre, Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Frank Ketter KO 1 (4), 0:25 Nov 23, 1934 19 years, 165 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Gene Garner KO 1 (6), 1:31 Nov 13, 1934 19 years, 155 days Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Jack Petric KO 5 (6) Oct 24, 1934 19 years, 135 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Max Brown KO 1 (4), 1:30 Oct 10, 1934 19 years, 121 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Tiny Abbott KO 1 (8), 1:54 Sep 23, 1934 19 years, 104 days Eureka, California, U.S.

Unofficial record

[edit]
66 fights 59 wins 7 losses
By knockout 53 2
By decision 6 4
By disqualification 0 1

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
66 Loss 59–7 Joe Louis KO 1 (15), 2:56 Jan 9, 1942 26 years, 212 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
65 Loss 59–6 Joe Louis DQ 7 (15), 3:00 May 23, 1941 25 years, 346 days Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles;
Baer disqualified after his manager refused to leave the ring
64 Win 59–5 Tony Galento TKO 7 (10) Apr 8, 1941 25 years, 301 days Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
63 Loss 58–5 Eddie Blunt PTS 10 Jan 15, 1941 25 years, 218 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
62 Win 58–4 Harold Blackshear TKO 3 (10), 2:45 Dec 17, 1940 25 years, 189 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
61 Win 57–4 Valentin Campolo KO 1 (12), 1:53 Jun 6, 1940 24 years, 361 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
60 Win 56–4 Nathan Mann TKO 7 (12), 1:36 May 3, 1940 24 years, 327 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
59 Win 55–4 Lee Savold NWS 8 Oct 30, 1938 23 years, 141 days Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
58 Win 54–4 Charley Neaves KO 2 (10) Oct 13, 1938 23 years, 124 days Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
57 Win 53–4 Maxie Doyle TKO 3 (10) Oct 12, 1938 23 years, 123 days Little Rock, Wyoming, U.S.
56 Win 52–4 Sandy McDonald KO 2 (10) Oct 5, 1938 23 years, 116 days Hubber Park, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
55 Win 51–4 Big Boy Brackey TKO 2 (10), 1:10 Apr 4, 1938 22 years, 297 days Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
54 Win 50–4 Chuck Crowell KO 1 (10), 0:54 Mar 10, 1938 22 years, 272 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Loss 49–4 Gunnar Bärlund TKO 7 (10) Mar 4, 1938 22 years, 266 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52 Win 49–3 Eddie Hogan TKO 3 (10), 2:21 Dec 17, 1937 22 years, 189 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 48–3 Abe Simon TKO 3 (6), 2:38 Aug 30, 1937 22 years, 80 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
50 Win 47–3 Jack London PTS 10 May 24, 1937 21 years, 347 days Vetch Field, Swansea, Wales
49 Win 46–3 Jim Wilde TKO 4 (10) May 6, 1937 21 years, 329 days Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
48 Win 45–3 Patrick Michael Barry KO 1 (10), 2:46 Dec 9, 1936 21 years, 181 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
47 Win 44–3 Salvatore Ruggirello KO 2 (10) Oct 19, 1936 21 years, 130 days Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
46 Win 43–3 Art Oliver KO 4 (6) Oct 8, 1936 21 years, 119 days Platteville, Wisconsin, U.S.
45 Win 42–3 Babe Davis KO 6 (6) Oct 6, 1936 21 years, 117 days Coliseum, Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
44 Win 41–3 Verne Trickle KO 5 (6) Sep 21, 1936 21 years, 102 days Sheldon, Iowa, U.S.
43 Win 40–3 Pret Ferrar NWS 6 Sep 14, 1936 21 years, 95 days Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
42 Win 39–3 Fred Schultz KO 1 (4), 1:28 Sep 7, 1936 21 years, 88 days Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
41 Win 38–3 Babe Hunt KO 1 (6) Sep 4, 1936 21 years, 85 days Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
40 Win 37–3 Jack Conroy KO 1 (10) Sep 2, 1936 21 years, 83 days Lincoln Field, Twin Falls, Idaho, U.S.
39 Win 36–3 James J. Russell KO 1 (6) Aug 31, 1936 21 years, 81 days Memorial Ball Park, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
38 Win 35–3 Don Baxter PTS 6 Aug 29, 1936 21 years, 79 days Recreation Park, Lewiston, Idaho, U.S.
37 Win 34–3 Bill Devere KO 2 (6), 0:07 Aug 25, 1936 21 years, 75 days Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
36 Win 33–3 Mickey Simpson KO 2 (6) Aug 24, 1936 21 years, 74 days Armory, Marshfield, Oregon, U.S.
35 Win 32–3 Ray Jarecki KO 1 (6), 0:34 Jul 24, 1936 21 years, 43 days Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah, U.S.
34 Win 31–3 Rags Wood KO 1 (4) Jul 17, 1936 21 years, 36 days Convention Hall, Ada, Oklahoma, U.S.
33 Win 30–3 James Merriott KO 1 (?) Jul 16, 1936 21 years, 35 days Coliseum, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
32 Win 29–3 Charles Montgomery KO 1 (4) Jul 13, 1936 21 years, 32 days Avey's Open-Air Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
31 Loss 28–3 Andre Lenglet PTS 6 Apr 22, 1936 20 years, 316 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
30 Win 28–2 Jack Petric KO 1 (4) Mar 25, 1936 20 years, 288 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
29 Win 27–2 Harold Murphy PTS 4 Mar 2, 1936 20 years, 265 days Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
28 Win 26–2 Wally Hunt KO 1 (4), 1:36 Feb 19, 1936 20 years, 253 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
27 Loss 25–2 Ford Smith PTS 6 Sep 24, 1935 20 years, 105 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 25–1 Jack Doyle KO 1 (6), 2:38 Aug 29, 1935 20 years, 79 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 24–1 Artie Suess TKO 4 (6) Jul 26, 1935 20 years, 45 days Boardwalk Arena, Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 23–1 Al Delaney KO 4 (4), 0:34 Jul 18, 1935 20 years, 37 days Offermann Stadium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 Frank Wotanski KO 1 (4), 0:54 Jun 25, 1935 20 years, 14 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 21–1 Big Boy Brackey KO 1 (4), 1:42 May 23, 1935 19 years, 346 days Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
21 Win 20–1 Ed Anderson PTS 4 Apr 18, 1935 19 years, 311 days National Guard Armory, Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
20 Win 19–1 Tommy Davenport KO 1 (6) Apr 17, 1935 19 years, 310 days I.M.A. Auditorium, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
19 Win 18–1 John "Corn" Griffin KO 2 (4) Apr 12, 1935 19 years, 305 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
18 Win 17–1 Harry Nelson TKO 3 (10) Apr 10, 1935 19 years, 303 days Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Frank Connolly KO 1 (6) Mar 20, 1935 19 years, 282 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Tommy Davenport KO 1 (10) Jan 28, 1935 19 years, 231 days Municipal Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Monty Hogan KO 1 (4), 0:31 Jan 21, 1935 19 years, 224 days Rikard Recreation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Loss 13–1 Babe Hunt PTS 4 Jan 10, 1935 19 years, 213 days Rikard Recreation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Jack O'Dowd TKO 1 (6), 2:10 Jan 4, 1935 19 years, 207 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Gene Stanton TKO 1 (6) Dec 28, 1934 19 years, 200 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Henry Surrette KO 1 (4), 2:47 Dec 21, 1934 19 years, 193 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Bumbo Myers KO 2 (4), 2:00 Dec 19, 1934 19 years, 191 days Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Bob Cook KO 1 (6) Dec 14, 1934 19 years, 186 days Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Mickey McGoorty TKO 1 (6), 1:22 Dec 10, 1934 19 years, 182 days Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Red Fields TKO 1 (6), 0:50 Dec 6, 1934 19 years, 178 days Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Johnny Baker KO 2 (6), 0:35 Dec 4, 1934 19 years, 176 days Waterloo Theatre, Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Frank Ketter KO 1 (4), 0:25 Nov 23, 1934 19 years, 165 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Gene Garner KO 1 (6), 1:31 Nov 13, 1934 19 years, 155 days Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Jack Petric KO 5 (6) Oct 24, 1934 19 years, 135 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Max Brown KO 1 (4), 1:30 Oct 10, 1934 19 years, 121 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Tiny Abbott KO 1 (8), 1:54 Sep 23, 1934 19 years, 104 days Eureka, California, U.S.

After boxing

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Baer retired from boxing after the second Louis bout and enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces at McClellan Air Force Base in 1942, the early years of America's involvement in World War II.[2]

With the war over, and his Army discharge complete in September 1945, he returned to Sacramento and started his most successful business, Buddy Baer's Bar of Music at 1411 11th Street, which he opened with Fred Cullincini. He dabbled with less success in a variety of other businesses, including a health food store, a clothing shop, heavy equipment sales and real estate.[2] After his brother Max's death in 1959 of a heart ailment, he served as the national chairman for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Max Baer Heart Fund.[38] He later worked as a marshal or sergeant at arms for the California State Legislature in the 1970s.[5] For a number of years he supported himself as a nightclub singer, putting his bass-baritone voice to use at such places as New York's Leon and Eddie's, and the Charles Club in Baltimore. He performed in 1952 with Pearl Bailey at the Paramount Theatre in New York.[36][5]

Final years

[edit]

Baer's last years were spent battling ailments that included diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease. After a transfer from Sutter Memorial Hospital, he was admitted to the Martinez Veterans Hospital one week before his death and died on July 18, 1986, in Martinez, California. He was survived by his wife Vicki Farrell Brumbelow—whom he had married in 1964—a daughter Sheila, and three grandchildren. Baer had three previous marriages.[2][39] His body is buried in East Lawn Sierra Hills Memorial Park in Sacramento. Both Buddy and his brother Max were known as the "professional good guys" or "the genial giants". After their deaths, Sacramento sports reporter Billy Conlin wrote, "When they died, the 'sweet science' lost two of the sweetest!"

Partial filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]

In 1957, Baer appeared in an episode of television's Gunsmoke, the episode entitled, "Never Pester Chester". In 1958, Baer appeared in an episode of the syndicated Adventures of Superman TV series, playing the role of Atlas, a circus strongman, who is duped by his fellow circus performers into stealing for them. They tell him that Superman is a crook and that he can help right the Man of Steel's wrongs by doing so.

In 1958, Baer appeared in Season 1 Episode 33 of Wagon Train, “The Daniel Hogan Story”. He played a boxer nicknamed “The Tinsmith”.

Baer's other television credits included guest roles on The Abbott and Costello Show, Adventures of Superman, Captain Midnight, Cheyenne, Circus Boy, Climax!, Have Gun – Will Travel, Peter Gunn, Rawhide, Sky King, Wagon Train, Tales of the Vikings, Toast of the Town, and in the adventure series Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. Baer’s most memorable character role was, perhaps, Stobo, on the aforementioned episode of Gunsmoke.[41]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Buddy Baer Boxing Record". Boxrec. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Conlin, Bill, "Buddy Baer, The Gentle Giant of Boxing", The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, pg. 35, 15 July 1986
  3. ^ "Buddy Baer, Ex-Boxer, Dies; Lost Two Fights to Joe Louis". The New York Times (National ed.). July 20, 1986. p. 1001022.
  4. ^ The Jewish Boxer's Hall of Fame, Blady, Ken, (1988) Shapolsky Publishers, Inc., New York, NY, pgs. 208-9.
  5. ^ a b c "Nice Guy Boxer Buddy Baer Dies", Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, pg. 3. 19 July 1986
  6. ^ "Buddy Baer Beaten", The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, pg. 27, 11 January 1935.
  7. ^ Ward Charles, "Champion Baer Clowns Four Rounds", Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, pg. 13, 5 January 1935
  8. ^ Down five times in the first in "Buddy Baer Beats O'Dowd", The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, pg. 15, 5 January 1935.
  9. ^ "Buddy Baer Puts Connolly Out in Opening Round", The Hanford Sentinel, Hanford, California, pg. 6, 21 Mar 1935.
  10. ^ "Baer Gains Another Knockout", Times Union, Brooklyn, New York, pg. 11, 19 July 1935.
  11. ^ "Buddy Knocks Out Delaney in Fourth Round", The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, pg. 13, 19 July 1935.
  12. ^ "Joe Louis Kayoes Maxie Baer", Santa Cruz Sentinel, Santa Cruz, California, pg. 7, 25 September 1935.
  13. ^ Four of six rounds in "Buddy Baer is Given Licking", Stockton Independent, Stockton, California, pg. 6, 25 September 1935.
  14. ^ "Montana Boy Too Smart, Fast", The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, pg. 22, 25 September 1935.
  15. ^ "Max's Brother Fails to Land Damaging Blow", The Press Democrat, Oakland, California, pg. 4, 23 April 1936.
  16. ^ "Buddy Baer Wins", El Paso Times, El Paso, Texas, pg. 8, 25 May 1937.
  17. ^ "Buddy Baer Stops Wilde in Fourth", Star-Phoenix, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, pg. 18, 7 May 1937.
  18. ^ Down for count of five in fourth in "Buddy Baer Halts Welsh Rival", The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, pg. 26, 7 May 1937.
  19. ^ "Prelim Kayo to Balsamo", Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, pg. 21, 31 August 1937.
  20. ^ Simon was down in third in "Buddy Baer Checks Abe Simon in Third", Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, pg. 11, 31 August 1937.
  21. ^ Conrad, Harold, "Barlund's KO Yields Answer on Young Giant", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, pg. 11, 5 Mar 1938
  22. ^ Mahon, Jack, "Barlund Knocks Out Buddy Baer in the Seventh", Daily News, New York, New York, pg. 92, 5 March 1938.
  23. ^ Cordero, Tony, Round-by-Round, The Des-Moines Register, Des-Moines, Iowa, pg. 8, 31 October 1930
  24. ^ "Buddy Baer Gets Decision in Des Moine Over Savold", The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, pg. 16, 31 October 1939
  25. ^ "Savold Beaten But Wins Followers", The Des-Moines Tribune, Des-Moines, Iowa, pg. 15, 31 October 1939
  26. ^ "Buddy Baer Takes TKO over Mann", Napa Journal, Napa, California, pg. 5, 4 May 1940.
  27. ^ Cohen, Art, "Cohn-ing Tower, A Cruel Inhuman Sight", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, pg. 13, 18 December 1940.
  28. ^ "Buddy Baer Loses Nod to Blunt", News Pilot, San Pedro, California, pg. 6, 16 January 1941
  29. ^ Buddy Baer Takes Beating", Ventura County Star-Free Press, Ventura County, California, pg. 10, 16 January 1941.
  30. ^ "Buddie Baer is Handed Terrific Walloping By Eddie Blunt in Bay Bout", The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, pg. 20, 16 January 1941.
  31. ^ "Buddy Baer Forces Tony Galento to Quit", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 25, 9 April 1941
  32. ^ Buddy Baer Stops Tony, "Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, pg. 25, 9 April 1941.
  33. ^ The Bell rang after the last blow in the sixth in McCann, Dick "No Reversal of Fight Verdict", Daily News, New York, New York, pg. 395, 25 May 1941.
  34. ^ The last hit came after the bell in Considine, Bob, "Buddy Baer Seen Dethroning Louis", Democrat and Chronicle, New York, New York, pg. 21, 25 May 1941.
  35. ^ Cuddy, Jack, "Right-hand Blow Finished Buddy", Democrat and Chronicle, pg. 17, 10 January 1942.
  36. ^ a b "Donner, and Walters, "Buddy Baer, Who Knocked Joe Louis Out of the Ring in '41, Has Finally Landed on His Own Feet"". People Magazine, vol. 6, no. 13. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  37. ^ "BoxRec: Buddy Baer".
  38. ^ Zezzo, Mickey, "Fighter-Singer-Actor Buddy Baer was a Fiddler on the Roof Rich Man at Heart", Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio, pg. pg. 30, 27 July 1986
  39. ^ "Buddy Baer Dies", San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, pg. 20, 19 July 1986
  40. ^ All films listed, but in different order in "Buddy Baer Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  41. ^ "Never Pester Chester", episode of Gunsmoke originally broadcast November 16, 1957. Internet Movie Database (IMDb), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Seattle, Washington. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
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