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Big Bob Baker had very impressive amateur career. He only lost one amateur fight and won the 1949 New York Golden Gloves & Intercity Golden Gloves championships in the heavyweight division. He also won 2 other major tournaments. He started his professional career with twenty-six consecutive wins. However, his winning streak came to an end when he was defeated by another leading contender, Clarence Henry, in 1954. In his previous fight, only days before, he drew with bulky Kid Riviera. He also lost to Bob Satterfield, Archie Moore and other contenders during this era. After his defeat to Archie Moore in 1954, he never lost by a knockout or TKO again. There was talk of Baker facing heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano between January 4 and February 3 1956. However, even though Baker defeated Nino Valdez on December 7 1955, the championship bout never materialized. The bout against Valdez was a rematch of a bout fought in May 1953 and both were won by Baker by unanimous decisions.

Big Bob Baker had very impressive amateur career. He only lost one amateur fight and won the 1949 New York Golden Gloves & Intercity Golden Gloves championships in the heavyweight division. He also won 2 other major tournaments. He started his professional career with twenty-six consecutive wins. However, his winning streak came to an end when he was defeated by another leading contender, Clarence Henry, in 1954. In his previous fight, only days before, he drew with bulky Kid Riviera. He also lost to Bob Satterfield, Archie Moore and other contenders during this era. After his defeat to Archie Moore in 1954, he never lost by a knockout or TKO again. There was talk of Baker facing heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano between January 4 and February 3 1956. However, even though Baker defeated Nino Valdez on December 7 1955, the championship bout never materialized. The bout against Valdez was a rematch of a bout fought in May 1953 and both were won by Baker by unanimous decisions.

Before losing unfair split decision to Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson on Friday February 3 1956 (day Rocky was supposed 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 supposed to fight Baker

(45-5) who won thirteen straight bouts aka Baker's dozen 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.

*[http://mywikibiz.com/User:Boxstuf/Bob_Baker_Vs_Rocky_Marciano_2.3.56 EXCELLENT 102% TRUE INFO ON HISTORICAL FIGHT BETWEEN ROCKY MARCIANO & BOB BAKER!!!]

*[http://mywikibiz.com/User:Boxstuf/Bob_Baker_Vs_Rocky_Marciano_2.3.56 EXCELLENT 102% TRUE INFO ON HISTORICAL FIGHT BETWEEN ROCKY MARCIANO & BOB BAKER!!!]

*[http://mywikibiz.com/User:Books/WhyBaker Why Baker]

*[http://mywikibiz.com/User:Books/WhyBaker Why Baker]

 

==See Also==

==See Also==

[[2356]]<BR>

[[2356]]<BR>

[[Eddie Nichols]]

[[Eddie Nichols]]