Presents:
Primo Carnera vs. Max Baer
June 14, 1934
This radio broadcast brings you two of the most storied, colorful characters in the history of world heavyweight championship boxing -- Primo Carnera, the 263-pound “Ambling Alp” from Italy, and Max Baer, the handsome, comical glamour boy from California with the dynamite in his right hand. Primo Carnera had been a star of sideshow of an Italian circus. With his huge size he was enticed to become a boxer in 1928. He showed some talent and a string of knockouts brought him to the attention of mobsters in the U.S. who took him over and made sure he would become a top contender. Many of Carnera’s bouts were prearranged. But Carnera did improve from fight to fight, and won the heavyweight championship by knocking out Jack Sharkey on June 29, 1933.
Max Baer had turned pro in Stockton, California in 1929, with a two-round knockout of Chief Caribou. A great natural athlete, blessed by nature with a devastating right hand, Baer was a playboy, enormously popular with women.
Baer became the top contender with his crushing 10-round knockout of Max Schmeling in Yankee Stadium in 1933.
Primo Carnera vs. Max Baer became a huge attraction, and their fight was set for June 14, 1934 at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island City, across the East River from Manhattan. The odds fluctuated with Baer entering the ring as a slight favorite. The title bout is scheduled for 15 rounds.
Your ringside commentator is that sterling pioneer of radio broadcasting, Graham McNamee, whose enthusiastic commentary extended to, not only other sports, but comedy as well. Some listeners may remember him as Ed Wynn’s straight man when Wynn was the funny Fire Chief of radio.
The between rounds analyst is Ford Bond, well known for his broadcast work in college football.
Baer would be the winner by a TKO at 2:16 of the eleventh round, knocking down Carnera eleven times. Baer would remain champion exactly one year, losing the title to Jim Braddock in his first defense. Baer never got another title shot.
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