Max Baer

 

Raised in Livermore, California, Baer began his boxing career in 1929 at age 20 in Oakland. He won his first twelve fights by knockouts. In 1933, wearing the Star of David on his trunks, he knocked out Max Schmeling, "the fighting pride of Nazi Germany," in the tenth round. On June 14, 1934 at Madison Square Garden, Baer pounded Primo Carnera to the floor twelve times. He won the fight with an eleventh round knockout, becoming heavyweight champion of the world. Enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.