Ernie Schaaf
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Erine Schaaf | |
Statistics | |
---|---|
Real name | Ernie Schaaf |
Nickname(s) | Frederick Ernest |
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Nationality | American |
Birth date | September 27, 1908 |
Birth place | Elizabeth, NJ |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 75 |
Wins | 55 |
Wins by KO | 23 |
Losses | 13 |
Draws | 2 |
No contests | 5 |
Ernie Schaaf (born September 27, 1908 in Elizabeth, NJ, died February 14, 1933) was a professional boxer. Schaaf is noted for boxing then-future heavyweight champion of the world Max Baer twice, the first time soundly beating Baer, and the second losing on decision.
During the second fight with Baer, Schaaf was knocked senseless two seconds before the final bell, which saved him from an official knockout. It took several minutes for him to be revived. Schaaf complained of headaches thereafter, and some observers believe that he suffered brain damage.
Six months later, Schaaf, again entering the ring with a future world champion, fought Primo Carnera, and suffered a knockout loss in the 13th round of 15. He fell into a coma, and was rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery. He regained consciousness with his mother, Lucy, at his bedside.
"Honey, are you my sweetheart?" she asked him, the newspapers reported, as he awoke briefly from the coma.
"Yes, mom."
"How are you?"
"I'm okay, Mom."
He then fell back into the coma, never regaining consciousness, and died shortly thereafter.
[edit] Record
Schaaf has an official record of 55-13-2 with 1 no contest and 4 no decisions, but the no-decision bouts are due to the scoring practices of the era. Newspaper reports indicate that he won 3 of those, and lost the other 1, giving him a final record of 58-14-2 with 1 no contest.