Changes

Before losing unfair split decision to Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson on Friday February 3 1956 (day Rocky was to fight Baker), Baker (45-5) won thirteen straight bouts and was ranked as a top contender for Marciano's heavyweight title. The February fight should have been drawn. Baker fought well, avoided most of the punches, punched hard back. After defeating another leading contender, John Holman, in Miami Beach Auditorium, Florida, on May 9 1956, he lost a rematch with Jackson on September 26 1956. Again it was a split decision. A majority of the ringside press felt Baker won, although the Associated Press scored it for Jackson.

Before losing unfair split decision to Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson on Friday February 3 1956 (day Rocky was to fight Baker), Baker (45-5) won thirteen straight bouts and was ranked as a top contender for Marciano's heavyweight title. The February fight should have been drawn. Baker fought well, avoided most of the punches, punched hard back. After defeating another leading contender, John Holman, in Miami Beach Auditorium, Florida, on May 9 1956, he lost a rematch with Jackson on September 26 1956. Again it was a split decision. A majority of the ringside press felt Baker won, although the Associated Press scored it for Jackson.

After 1957, his fighting skills diminished, although Baker defeated George Chuvalo, multiple Canadian champion and multiple world heavyweight title contender in the 1960s and 1970s, by unanimous decision, on September 9 1957 in Canada.

After 1957, his fighting skills diminished, although Baker defeated George Chuvalo, multiple Canadian champion and multiple world heavyweight title contender in the 1960s and 1970s, by unanimous decision, on September 9 1957, in Canada.

Personal life

Personal life