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==BOB BAKER (BOXER) TRUE 102% BIOGRAPHY==

==BOB BAKER'S TRUE, OFFICIAL 102% BIOGRAPHY==

From April 1955 until February of 1956, Bob Baker was ranked as the leading challenger to [[Rocky Marciano]]'s heavyweight title. On Wednesday, December 7th 1955, Baker beat Nino Valdez in a rematch, again by unanimous decision.

From April 1955 until February of 1956, Bob Baker was ranked as the leading challenger to [[Rocky Marciano]]'s heavyweight title. On Wednesday, December 7th 1955, Baker beat Nino Valdez in a rematch, again by unanimous decision.

After 13 straight wins ([[baker's dozen]]), Baker lost to [[Tommy Hurricane Jackson]] on February 3 1956, in [[New York City|New York's]] [[Madison Square Garden]]. It was a conytorversial split decision win for Jackson. In May 1956, Baker easily defeated [[John Holman]]. Baker also lost another controversial split decision rematch with Jackson on September 26 1956. Both fights should have been draws.Opinions on both Baker-Jackson fights were divided in many publications with most of them giving the fight to Baker. The September match was given to Baker by The United Press. It scored the fight 7-5 for Baker. A poll of all 13 ringside writers favored Baker 9-4 and it reported that many of the fans were very surprised with the split decision.

After 13 straight wins ([[baker's dozen]]), Baker lost to [[Tommy Hurricane Jackson]] on February 3 1956, in [[New York City|New York's]] [[Madison Square Garden]]. It was a contorversial split decision win for Jackson. In May 1956, Baker easily defeated [[John Holman]]. Baker also lost another controversial split decision rematch with Jackson on September 26 1956. Both fights should have been draws.Opinions on both Baker-Jackson fights were divided in many publications with most of them giving the fight to Baker. The September match was given to Baker by The United Press. It scored the fight 7-5 for Baker. A poll of all 13 ringside writers favored Baker 9-4 and it reported that many of the fans were very surprised with the split decision.

After 1956, Baker's success was limited. His most notable victory was a sound unanimous decision defeat of [[Canada|Canadian]] [[George Chuvalo]], the future Canadian heavyweight champion, by unanimous decision on September 9 1957. Chuvalo was also a multiple time top championship contender in the 1960s and 1970s.  

After 1956, Baker's success was limited. His most notable victory was a sound unanimous decision defeat of [[Canada|Canadian]] [[George Chuvalo]], the future Canadian heavyweight champion, by unanimous decision on September 9 1957. Chuvalo was also a multiple time top championship contender in the 1960s and 1970s.  

Baker died on April 23 2002, from acute heart failure, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Baker died on April 23 2002, from acute heart failure, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

==Other websites==

==External Links:==

*[http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=012475 Baker's Boxing Record]

*[http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=012475 Baker's Boxing Record]

*[http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine's_Annual_Ratings:_Heavyweight--1950s Ring Magazine's 1950s heavyweight ratings]

*[http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine's_Annual_Ratings:_Heavyweight--1950s Ring Magazine's 1950s heavyweight ratings]