California, 20 May 2025: Max Baer, whose real name is Maximillion Adelbert Baer, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 11, 1909. Known as the “Livermore Larupper” and “Madcap Maxie,” Baer was the World Heavyweight Champion from 1934 until 1935. Max reportedly has “the most powerful right hand in heavyweight history,” according to the Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book.
Early Life and Path to Boxing
In order to assist his father on their cattle ranch, Baer left school in the eighth grade; it is said that this work is what gave him his strength. After becoming pro in 1929, Baer won 22 of his first 24 bouts, including nine knockouts in the first round. His immense strength and conditioning made him a dangerous opponent.
Controversial Incidents in the Ring
He was accused of manslaughter in 1930 after Frankie Campbell passed away following a Baer knockout. Although he was exonerated of all allegations, he was given a one-year boxing suspension in California. This incident scared Baer so much that he decided to stop boxing completely for a few months. Baer was hesitant to assault his opponents when he got back into the ring. Jack Dempsey worked with Baer to abbreviate his punches after Hall of Famer Tommy Loughran told him he was telegraphing them. Ernie Schaaf was rendered unconscious by Baer in the tenth round of their bout in 1932. Schaaf passed away soon after a subsequent battle with Primo Carnera, however some of the damage from Baer’s hit was to blame.
Triumph Against Max Schmeling
In front of 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium in June 1933, Baer defeated Max Schmeling, a German, in the best bout of his career. At a time when Nazi persecution of German Jews was just getting started, Baer showed his support for the Jewish people by wearing the Star of David on his shorts during this game.
Winning the Heavyweight Title
The next year, Baer had his opportunity at the crown. Baer won the championship after stopping the bout in the eleventh round after knocking out champion Primo Carnera eleven times.
Baer’s Glamorous Life Outside Boxing
Baer lived the good life and starred in a movie when he was at the top of his game. He was frequently romantically associated with Broadway starlets, chorus girls, and movie stars. Actress Dorothy Dunbar (who was married on July 8, 1931, and divorced in 1933) and Ellen Sullivan (whom he married on June 29, 1935, and stayed with till his death) were Max Baer’s two wives.
Losing the Title and Retirement
In a major upset, Max lost the title to James J. Braddock via 15-round decision in June 1935, his first title defense. He lost to Joe Louis in his subsequent bout. Baer claimed he was having trouble breathing when he returned to his corner during the fight, where Jack Dempsey was. “I tricked him into the ring,” Dempsey said. “If he didn’t return outside and got knocked out, I threatened to murder him with the water bottle.” In the fourth round, Louis knocked Baer out. With a career record of 72 victories (52 knockouts) and 12 defeats, he announced his retirement from boxing in 1941. In 1959, Max Baer passed away. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted him in 1995.
Was Max Baer Jewish?
The question of whether Max Baer was Jewish is still up for debate. His mother was a Scots-Irish Catholic, and his father was a non-practicing Jew. Max declared himself a Jew, despite having been reared Catholic. Baer claimed that he displayed his pride by wearing a Magen David on his trunks, but some thought this was only for show.
Legacy in Popular Culture
Many baby-boomers grew up watching his son, Max Baer, Jr., who portrayed Jethro Bodine on the hit television series The Beverly Hillbillies, even though they weren’t born when Baer was fighting.
Controversy Over His Portrayal in Cinderella Man
The protagonist, James J. Braddock, battles Max Baer in the last match of the 2005 film Cinderella Man. Although Baer is known as bold and gregarious, critics criticized director Ron Howard for depicting him as snooty and harsh. People support the adored, ordinary Joe Braddock in the last climactic scenes while detesting the wealthy, snooty Baer. Although Baer was a womanizer and a joker, as the movie depicts him, he is also portrayed as malevolent, which is not how he is remembered. Baer is recorded saying to Braddock’s wife prior to the fight, “You’re too pretty to be a widow,” although historians and Baer’s family say this was unusual of the fighter.
