MARTINEZ, Calif. -- Jacob 'Buddy' Baer, the 'Gentle Giant' of professional boxing during the early 1940s, died Friday at a Veterans Hospital. He was 71.
Baer, a longtime resident of Sacramento, Calif., was well-known for his prowess in the ring. His older brother, Max Baer, held the heavyweight championship for one year. He won the title from Primo Carnera in June 1934 but lost the championship to Jim Braddock a year later.
Buddy Baer fought Joe Louis twice, and while he lost both bouts managed to floor the legendary champ in the first round of a May 23, 1941 fight.
Baer's overall record was 55-7 with 43 knockouts. The 6-foot-6, 250 pound fighter retired in 1942 when he joined the Army.
After his discharge, Baer appeared in many motion pictures, including 'The Big Sky,' 'Slightly Scarlet' and 'Quo Vadis.'
The former boxer's last years were spent battling ailments including diabetes, hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. He was admitted to the Martinez Veterans Hospital one week before his death.
