You Got A Raw Deal, Max Baer

If you've watched TV the past few weeks, I'm sure you've seen the trailer for the new Russell Crowe boxing movie "Cinderella Man."  It's the story of boxer James Braddock's (portrayed by Crowe) rise during the Depression to win the World Heavyweight Championship.  The movie's climax shows Braddock's upset win over champion Max Baer.  Braddock made it through 15 rounds without getting knocked out by Baer's legendary right hand - considered by many boxing historians as one of the hardest single punches in boxing history.  Braddock's 15-round unanimous decision was the biggest upset in a heavyweight title bout in boxing history - a record that stood until Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson in 1990. 

The critics say Braddock's portrayal in the movie was realistic, but Hollywood's attempt to turn Max Baer into the villan is where the film strays from reality.  The film portrays Baer as if he purposely killed two opponents, Frankie Campbell and Ernie Schaaf and then gloated about it afterwards.  But in reality, Baer didn't gloat, and was tormented the rest of his life by the fact that two men he fought died at his hands.  Campbell died as a result of a severe concussion after being knocked out by Baer in the fifth round.  Baer fought an exhibition match for Campbell's wife and raised over $10,000 for her.  Two years later, Baer fought Schaaf.  Baer knocked out Schaaf with two seconds left in the fight.  Schaaf was out cold for three minutes. He recovered but died six months later after being knocked out by Primo Carnera.  In the movie, Baer is blamed for his death. 

Baer's son is irate over his father's portrayal.  "The portrayl of my father in 'Cinderella Man' couldn't have been more wrong and inaccurate," he said.  "They turned a good-hearted, fun-loving, friendly and warm human being who hated boxing into Mr. T from 'Rocky III' ." In case you didn't know, Baer's son is Max Baer, Jr., better known as Jethro in "The Beverly Hillbillies."

After researching about Max Baer and reading the information about the movie, I was a bit disappointed when I found out that Ron Howard, our beloved little Opie, directed "CinderellaMan."  I think thewriters and he could have gotten the point across about Braddock's Cinderella story without making his opponent Baer the villain in this story.