Bob Baker (boxer)
Bob 'The Grinder' Baker was a leading heavyweight boxer in the 1950's. He is considered to be one of the top ranked fighters throughout 1950's. He was ranked #1 heavyweight contender at least 3 times in 1955 and 1956 by the NBA - National Boxing Association and by Ring Magazine.
Bob was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, on October 26, 1956, and originally fought out of Pittsburgh. He died on April 23, 2002. Baker started his career with impressive 26 straight wins. At one point during his career, Baker was the top challenger for Jersey Joe Walcott's heavyweight title. However, he was defeated by another leading contender, Clarence Henry and never received a title shot. He also lost to Bob Satterfield, Archie Moore, and other contenders during this era. After his deafeat to Archie Moore in 1954, he never lost by a KO or by TKO again.
There was talk of Baker facing heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano on January 2, 1956. However, due to his poor showing against Nino Valdez on December 7, 1955, the January 2 championship bout was canceled. The bout against Valdez was a rematch, and both were won by Baker. Baker, who was 45-5 had a very good/respectable record, and at the time, he had the best record in the heavyweight division, meaning Baker only lost 1 in 10 fights.
Before losing to Hurricane Jackson in February 1956, he won 13 straight bouts. After defeating another leading contender, John Holman, in Miami Beach Auditorium, Florida, on May 9th, he lost a rematch with Jackson on September 26, 1956. Some considered the match a draw but a majority of the ringside press felt Baker won, although the Associated Press scored it for Hurricane Jackson. Baker expected a match between the winner of Hurricane-Patterson encounter which Patterson won on June 8, 1956, although this never happened.
After 1956, his fighting skills diminished, although Baker defeated George Chuvalo, a future contender for many years, by unanimous decision on September 9th 1957. It has been rumored and alleged that International Boxing Organization (IBC) ran by Jim Norris and Arthur Wirtz did not want Baker to face Patterson for the heavyweight title. IBC was dissolved by federal Judge's order in October of 1960, IBC was under federal corruption investigation since 1955.
Bob 'The Grinder' Baker will be remembered as a good technician.