Buddy Baer

Biography

Buddy Baer, born Jacob Henry Baer on June 11, 1915, in Denver, Colorado, emerged from the shadow of his older brother, former World Heavyweight Champion Max Baer, to carve out his notable career in the boxing world. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 6 inches with an 84-inch reach, Baer's physical stature made him formidable in the heavyweight division.
Baer made his professional debut on September 23, 1934, delivering a first-round knockout against Tiny Abbott in Eureka, California. This victory set the tone for a career characterized by remarkable punching power, as evidenced by his 51 wins, 47 of which were knockouts.

Throughout his career, Baer faced several top contenders of his era. Notably, he secured victories over fighters such as Tony Galento and Abe Simon, both of whom were highly regarded in the heavyweight ranks. These wins showcased Baer's ability to compete with and defeat some of the best in the division.
Baer's most significant challenges came in his bouts against the legendary Joe Louis for the World Heavyweight Title. Their first encounter on May 23, 1941, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., was marred by controversy. Baer knocked Louis out of the ring in the first round, but Louis recovered and ultimately won the match. Many ringside officials believed Louis had delivered a disqualifying late hit in the sixth round, which could have awarded Baer the championship.

The rematch took place on January 9, 1942, at Madison Square Garden. Louis secured a decisive victory this time, knocking Baer out in the first round. Following this bout, Baer retired from professional boxing, concluding a career that spanned over seven years.

After retiring from boxing, Baer served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He transitioned into acting post-war, appearing in seventeen films and various television series throughout the 1950s and 1960s. His notable film roles included playing giants in "Quo Vadis" (1951) and "Jack and the Beanstalk" (1952).

Baer's contributions to boxing were recognized in 2003 when he was named among The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time, reflecting his significant impact on the sport.

Buddy Baer passed away on July 18, 1986, at the age of 71. His legacy endures through his ring achievements and subsequent entertainment career, marking him as a prominent figure in both the sports and entertainment industries.