Ex-Heavyweight Boxer Buddy Baer Dies at 71

MARTINEZ, Calif. — Jacob (Buddy) Baer, the gentle giant of professional boxing during the Joe Louis era, died Friday at Veterans Hospital. He was 71.

Baer, who suffered from diabetes, hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease, was admitted to the VA hospital July 11. He was transferred there after 12 days at Sutter Memorial Hospital.

Baer, who was the brother of the late heavyweight champion Max Baer, fought Louis twice, flooring him in the first round of a May 23, 1941 bout. He lost only seven of his 55 fights--including the two Louis bouts--and had 43 knockouts.