You’re staring at a grid. It’s late, or maybe you’re just on your second cup of coffee, and there’s a gap in the sports section of the Sunday puzzle. The clue is simple enough: Braddock's opponent in Cinderella Man crossword. You know the movie. You remember Russell Crowe’s grit and the way he looked in that worn-out wool coat.
But the name? It feels like it’s right there on the tip of your tongue, just out of reach.
The answer you’re looking for is BAER.
Specifically, MAX BAER.
Depending on the number of squares in your crossword, you’re either plugging in those four letters or looking for the full name. But there is a whole lot more to this answer than just a few boxes in a newspaper. Honestly, the way history and Hollywood handled Max Baer is one of the most lopsided matches in boxing history.
The Man Behind the Crossword Answer: Max Baer
Max Baer wasn't just some guy in a boxing ring. He was a force of nature. In the 1930s, he was basically the closest thing the sport had to a rock star. He had the "Livermore Larruper" nickname, a devastating right hand, and a personality that was way too big for just one arena.
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When you see him as Braddock's opponent in Cinderella Man crossword, the movie version—played by Craig Bierko—paints a specific picture. It shows a snarling, cruel, and almost villainous champion who taunted James J. Braddock’s wife. It’s great drama. It makes you root for the underdog. But if we’re being real, the real Max Baer was a lot more complicated.
Baer was a clown. He was a playboy. He was a guy who loved the limelight. But he wasn't a monster.
Interestingly, Baer wore the Star of David on his trunks. Even though his own Jewish heritage was a bit of a debated topic, he wore it as a middle finger to the rising Nazi party in Germany, especially after he knocked out Max Schmeling in 1933. That’s a detail the crossword clue usually skips over.
Why This Specific Fight Matters
The June 13, 1935, match at Madison Square Garden Bowl is the stuff of legends. Braddock was a 10-to-1 underdog. Nobody expected him to win. Most people were just hoping he’d walk out of the ring on his own two feet.
Braddock had been through the ringer. The Great Depression had stripped him of his career, his pride, and almost his family. He was working the docks with a broken hand just to keep the lights on. That’s where the "Cinderella Man" nickname comes from—Damon Runyon coined it because the comeback was so unbelievable.
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When he stepped into the ring against BAER, it wasn't just a fight for a belt. It was a fight for every person who had been knocked down by the economy.
Baer, on the other hand, was criticized for not taking the fight seriously. He clowned. He laughed. He underestimated the man with the hungry eyes standing across from him. By the time he realized Braddock wasn't going away, it was too late. Braddock won a 15-round unanimous decision.
Common Crossword Variations for This Clue
If you're a regular solver, you've probably seen this clue pop up in a few different ways. Crossword constructors love these four-letter names because they are "vowel-heavy" or just easy to fit into tight corners.
- Clue: Braddock's foe. (Answer: BAER)
- Clue: Boxer played by Craig Bierko. (Answer: BAER)
- Clue: Heavyweight champ Max. (Answer: BAER)
- Clue: 1930s ring rival of James. (Answer: BAER)
Sometimes the puzzle might ask for the actor who played him, which would be BIERKO. Or maybe it’s looking for the title Braddock won: HEAVYWEIGHT. But 90% of the time? It’s BAER.
The Real Max Baer vs. Hollywood
It’s worth noting that Max Baer’s family was actually pretty upset with how he was portrayed in the film Cinderella Man. In real life, Baer was reportedly haunted by the fact that two of his opponents (Frankie Campbell and Ernie Schaaf) died after fights with him. He wasn't the guy who would brag about it to a man's wife in a crowded room.
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In fact, after he lost to Braddock, Baer was quoted as saying he was happy the title went to someone who could use the money to take care of his kids. That’s a far cry from the movie villain we see on screen.
But for the sake of your crossword, the "villain" label helps the name stick.
Key Facts for Your Next Puzzle
To make sure you never get stuck on this again, here’s a quick breakdown of the essentials:
- Year of the Fight: 1935.
- Venue: Madison Square Garden Bowl (also known as the "Graveyard of Champions").
- The Result: Unanimous decision for Braddock.
- The Actor: Craig Bierko played Baer in the 2005 movie.
- The Manager: Joe Gould (played by Paul Giamatti) was the one who got Braddock the shot.
Braddock eventually lost the title to Joe Louis in 1937, but that 1935 night remains the peak of the Cinderella story.
If you're stuck on other parts of your puzzle, look for words like TASSEL or ERAS nearby—they are common neighbors to BAER in most New York Times style grids. Now that you've got the answer, you can finally move on to that stubborn "Middle Eastern V.I.P." clue (it's usually EMIR).
To deepen your knowledge of this era, read "Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History" by Jeremy Schaap. It’s the definitive look at the real men behind the movie characters and provides the context that a 15-by-15 grid simply can't hold.