Ernie Schaaf
Encyclopedia
Ernie Schaaf 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 on Valentines Day.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Schaaf is noted for boxing then-future heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
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
Primo Carnera
Primo Carnera was an Italian boxer, nicknamed the Ambling Alp, who became the world heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
, 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 on Valentines Day.