James J. Braddock

James J. Braddock
Statistics
Real name James Walter Braddock
Nickname(s) Bulldog of Bergen,
Pride of the Irish,
Pride of New Jersey, Cinderella Man
Rated at Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in (1.89 m)
Reach 75 in (191 cm)
Nationality American
Born June 7, 1905(1905-06-07)
New York City, New York
Died November 29, 1974(1974-11-29) (aged 69)
North Bergen, New Jersey
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 86
Wins 51
Wins by KO 26
Losses 26
Draws 7
No contests 2

James Walter "The Cinderella Man" Braddock (June 7, 1905 – November 29, 1974) was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937.

Fighting under the name James J. Braddock (ostensibly to follow the pattern set by two prior world boxing champions, James J. Corbett and James J. Jeffries), he was known for his powerful right hand, granite chin and an amazing comeback from a floundering career. He had lost several bouts due to chronic hand injuries and was forced to work on the docks and collect social assistance to feed his family during the depression. In 1935 he fought Max Baer for the Heavyweight championship and won. For this unlikely feat he was given the nickname "The Cinderella Man" by Damon Runyon. Braddock was managed by Joe Gould.

Contents

Early life

Braddock was born in Hell's Kitchen in New York City on West 48th Street within a couple of blocks of the Madison Square Garden venue where he would later become famous. He stated his life's early ambition was to play football for Knute Rockne at the University of Notre Dame, but he had "more brawn than brains."

Career

Braddock pursued boxing, turning pro at the age of 21, fighting as a light heavyweight. After three years, Braddock's record was 44-2-2 with 21 knockouts.

In 1928, he pulled off a major upset by knocking out highly-regarded Tuffy Griffiths. The following year he earned a chance to fight for the championship, but he narrowly lost to Tommy Loughran in a 15-round decision. Braddock was greatly depressed by the loss and badly fractured his right hand in several places in the process. His career suffered as a result, as did Braddock's disposition.

His record for the next 33 fights fell to 11-20-2. With his family in poverty during the Great Depression, Braddock had to give up boxing for a little while and worked as a longshoreman. Due to frequent injuries to his right hand, Braddock compensated by using his left hand during his longshoreman work, and it gradually became stronger than his right. He always remembered the humiliation of having to accept government relief money, but was inspired by the Catholic Worker Movement, a Christian social justice organization founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933 to help the homeless and hungry. After his boxing comeback, Braddock returned the welfare money he had received and made frequent donations to various Catholic Worker Houses, including feeding homeless guests with his family.[1]

Baer vs. Braddock

In 1934, Braddock was given a fight with the highly touted John "Corn" Griffin. Although Braddock was intended simply as a stepping stone in Griffin's career, he knocked out the "Ozark Cyclone" in the third round. Braddock then fought John Henry Lewis, a future light heavyweight champion. He won in one of the most important fights of his career. After defeating another highly regarded heavyweight contender, Art Lasky, whose nose he broke during the bout on March 22, 1935, Braddock was given a title fight against the World Heavyweight Champion, Max Baer.

Baer hardly trained for the bout. Braddock, on the other hand, was training hard. "I'm training for a fight. Not a boxing contest or a clownin' contest or a dance." he said. "Whether it goes 1 round or 3 rounds or 10 rounds, it will be a fight and a fight all the way. When you've been through what I've had to face in the last two years, a Max Baer or a Bengal tiger looks like a house pet. He might come at me with a cannon and a blackjack and he would still be a picnic compared to what I've had to face."

Considered little more than a journeyman fighter, Braddock was hand-picked by Baer's handlers because he was seen as an easy payday for the champion. Instead, on June 13, 1935, at Madison Square Garden Bowl, Braddock won the Heavyweight Championship of the World as the 10-to-1 underdog in one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history.

During the fight, a dogged Braddock took a few heavy hits from the powerful younger champion (30 years vs 26 years for Baer), but Braddock kept coming, wearing down Baer, who seemed perplexed by Braddock's ability to take a punch. In the end, the judges gave Braddock the title with a unanimous decision.

Heavyweight Champion

James Braddock suffered from problems with his arthritic hands after injuries throughout his career, and in 1936, his title defense in Madison Square Garden against the German Max Schmeling was canceled under suspicious circumstances. Braddock argued he would have received only a US$25,000 purse against Schmeling, compared to $250,000 against rising star Joe Louis.

Louis was considered to be the more dangerous opponent and the fact he, as a black man, could be heavyweight champion made many boxing insiders against him getting a title shot. Braddock agreed to the fight with the stipulation that he would receive a percentage of Louis's future purses. While Braddock was able to knock down Louis in the fight, Louis went on to win. Louis was quoted as saying that Braddock was the bravest man he ever fought.[2]

Death and legacy

On his death in 1974 at the age of 69, James J. Braddock was interred in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Tenafly, New Jersey. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park in North Bergen, New Jersey is named in his honor.[3]

The 2005 biographical film Cinderella Man tells the story of James J. Braddock. Directed by Ron Howard, and starring Russell Crowe as Braddock with Renée Zellweger as his wife, Mae. The film had an estimated budget of $88 million and grossed $108.5 million worldwide.[4] Paul Giamatti, playing Braddock's manager Joe Gould, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The role of neighbor Sara Wilson was played by Rosemarie DeWitt, who is Braddock's real-life granddaughter (daughter of Braddock's daughter Rosemarie Braddock and husband Kenny DeWitt). The film received mostly positive reviews.[5]

British band The BibleCode Sundays released a song titled "The Cinderella Man" on their 2008 'Boots or No Boots' album as a tribute to Braddock.

Professional boxing record

51 Wins (26 knockouts, 20 decisions), 26 Losses (2 knockouts, 24 decisions), 7 Draws, 2 No Contests [1]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Win 51-26-7
2 NC		 Tommy Farr SD 10 21/01/1938 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States Referee had it 4-4-2, but Braddock on points.
Loss 50-26-7
2 NC		 Joe Louis KO 8 (15) 22/06/1937 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States Lost NYSAC & NBA World Heavyweight titles. Louis down in 1st; Braddock in 8th. NYSAC recognized Louis as Champion on June 30; NBA on July 1.
Win 50-25-7
2 NC		 Max Baer UD 15 13/06/1935 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States Won NYSAC & NBA World Heavyweight titles. Baer feinted a knockdown in the 8th round.
Win 49-25-7
2 NC		 Art Lasky UD 15 22/03/1935 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 48-25-7
2 NC		 John Henry Lewis PTS 10 16/11/1934 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 47-25-7
2 NC		 Corn Griffin TKO 3 (5) 14/06/1934 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States Both fighters down in second round.
NC 46-25-7
2 NC		 Abe Feldman NC 6 (10) 25/09/1933 Memorial Field Stadium, Mount Vernon, New York, United States Benefit for Mt. Vernon Police Department Home Relief Fund. Braddock broke his right hand.
Win 46-25-7
1 NC		 Chester Matan PTS 10 21/07/1933 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States
Win 45-25-7
1 NC		 Les Kennedy PTS 10 21/06/1933 Oakland Arena, West New York, New Jersey, United States
Loss 44-25-7
1 NC		 Al Stillman UD 10 19/06/1933 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Stillman down in first; Braddock injured his right hand with the punch. Two judges voted.
Loss 44-24-7
1 NC		 Martin Levandowski MD 10 05/04/1933 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 44-23-7
1 NC		 Al Stillman TKO 10 (10) 21/03/1933 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Stillman down once in 9th and twice in 10th rounds.
Loss 43-23-7
1 NC		 Al Ettore DQ 4 (8) 01/03/1933 Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Braddock was disqualified for 'not trying'.
Loss 43-22-7
1 NC		 Hans Birkie PTS 10 09/11/1932 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 43-21-7
1 NC		 Martin Levandowski PTS 10 13/01/1933 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 42-21-7
1 NC		 Lou Scozza TKO 6 (10) 09/11/1932 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, United States Braddock stopped with a cut left eye; he had been cut in the Patrick fight.
Loss 42-20-7
1 NC		 Tom Patrick PTS 10 21/10/1932 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States
Win 42-19-7
1 NC		 Dynamite Jackson PTS 10 30/09/1932 Coliseum, San Diego, California, United States Jackson down in the 1st round.
Loss 41-19-7
1 NC		 John Henry Lewis PTS 10 21/09/1932 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, United States
Loss 41-18-7
1 NC		 Tony Shucco PTS 8 25/07/1932 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States
Win 41-17-7
1 NC		 Vicente Parrile PTS 5 21/06/1932 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States Walk-Out Bout after Sharkey won Schmeling.
Loss 40-17-7
1 NC		 Charley Retzlaff PTS 10 13/05/1932 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 40-16-7
1 NC		 Baxter Calmes UD 10 18/03/1932 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 40-15-7
1 NC		 Al Gainer PTS 10 04/12/1931 Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
NC 40-14-7
1 NC		 Maxie Rosenbloom NC 2 (10) 10/11/1931 Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Braddock and Rosenbloom were accused of a pre-arranged deal. The MN Commission allowed each $350 in training expenses, the balance of their purses was donated to charity.
Loss 40-14-7 Joe Sekyra PTS 10 09/10/1931 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Draw 40-13-7 Andy Mitchell PTS 10 03/09/1931 Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 40-13-6 Jack Kelly PTS 10 30/03/1931 Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Win 39-13-6 Jack Roper KO 1 (6) 05/03/1931 Madison Square Garden Stadium, Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 38-13-6 Ernie Schaaf SD 10 23/01/1931 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 38-12-6 Phil Mercurio KO 2 (6) 23/01/1931 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Mercurio went down 3 times in round 1, and then was counted out in the 2nd.
Loss 37-12-6 Babe Hunt PTS 10 11/08/1930 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 37-11-6 Joe Monte PTS 10 02/07/1930 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 36-11-6 Harold Mays PTS 10 05/06/1930 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States
Loss 36-10-6 Billy Jones UD 10 07/04/1930 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 36-9-6 Leo Lomski SD 10 17/01/1930 Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, United States Lomski knocked down in 2nd and 5th rounds.
Win 36-8-6 Jake Warren KO 2 (6) 07/12/1929 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss 35-8-6 Maxie Rosenbloom PTS 10 15/11/1929 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Loss 35-7-6 Yale Okun PTS 10 27/08/1929 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 35-6-6 Tommy Loughran UD 15 18/07/1929 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States For NYSAC World Light Heavyweight titles. In September 1929 Loughran gave up his claim to the Light Heavyweight Title to compete at heavyweight.
Win 35-5-6 Eddie Benson KO 1 (8) 22/04/1929 Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, United States
Win 34-5-6 Jimmy Slattery TKO 9 (10) 11/03/1929 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 33-5-6 George Gemas KO 1 (10) 04/02/1929 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss 32-5-6 Leo Lomski MD 10 18/01/1929 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 32-4-6 Tuffy Griffiths TKO 2 (10) 30/11/1928 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States Griffith was floored 4 times in the 2nd round.
Win 31-4-6 Pete Latzo PTS 10 17/10/1928 Newark Armory, Newark, New Jersey, United States Latzo's jaw was broken, and he was forced to cancel his Nov 30 bout with Tuffy Griffiths. Braddock met Griffiths in his place.
Loss 30-4-6 Joe Sekyra PTS 10 08/08/1928 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York, United States Braddock cut over left eye in 7th.
Draw 30-3-6 Nando Tassi PTS 10 25/07/1928 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York, United States
Draw 30-3-5 Billy Vidabeck NWS 10 27/06/1928 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Newspaper decision from New York City area newspapers (Jack Kincaid).
Loss 30-3-4 Joe Monte PTS 10 07/06/1928 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 30-2-4 Jimmy Francis NWS 10 16/05/1928 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Newspaper decision from New York City area newspapers (Jack Kincaid).
Win 29-2-4 Jack Darnell KO 4 (10) 07/05/1928 Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 28-2-4 Paul Swiderski PTS 8 06/01/1928 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Draw 27-2-4 Joe Monte PTS 10 07/10/1927 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Loss 27-2-3 Herman Heller NWS 10 21/09/1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Newspaper decision from New York City area newspapers (Jack Kincaid).
Win 27-1-3 Vic McLaughlin NWS 10 10/08/1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Newspaper decision from the New York Times.
Win 26-1-3 George LaRocco UD 6 21/07/1927 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States
Win 25-1-3 Jimmy Francis NWS 10 13/07/1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Record.
Win 24-1-3 Jimmy Francis NWS 10 08/06/1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Newspaper decision from the New York Times.
Loss 23-1-3 Paul Cavalier NWS 10 27/05/1927 Arcola Park, Paramus, New Jersey, United States Henry Hascup's record for Cavalier in IBRO #55 shows two Newspaper scores for this fight, 7-3 and 8-2 in favor of Cavalier.
Draw 23-0-3 George LaRocco PTS 6 19/05/1927 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States
Win 22-0-2 Jack Stone NWS 10 19/05/1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States Braddock knocked down for first time in career, but won. (Source: Boxing Blade, May 28, 1927, page 6.)
Win 21-0-2 Stanley Simmons TKO 1 (6) 02/05/1927 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States Simmons down 4 times)
Win 20-0-2 Frankie Lennon TKO 3 (6) 19/04/1927 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 19-0-2 Tom McKiernan KO 2 (?) 15/03/1927 United States Bout held during March; possibly Wilkes-Barre.
Win 18-0-2 Nick Fadil PTS 6 08/03/1927 Pioneer Sporting Club, New York, New York, United States
Win 17-0-2 Lou Barba PTS 4 03/03/1927 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 16-0-2 Jack Nelson PTS 6 15/02/1927 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 15-0-2 Johnny Alberts KO 4 (6) 01/02/1927 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 14-0-2 George LaRocco KO 1 (4) 28/01/1927 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Draw 13-0-2 Doc Conrad NWS 4 20/12/1926 4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States Christmas Fund Show. Jersey Journal & Hudson Dispatch both called this a draw.
Win 13-0-1 Joe Hudson PTS 6 08/12/1926 Manhattan A.C., New York, New York, United States
Win 12-0-1 Al Settle PTS 6 04/12/1926 Walker A.C., New York, New York, United States
Win 11-0-1 Lou Barba PTS 6 12/11/1926 Pioneer Sporting Club, New York, New York, United States
Win 10-0-1 Carmine Caggiano KO 1 (6) 30/09/1926 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States
Win 9-0-1 Ray Kennedy KO 1 (6) 16/09/1926 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, United States
Win 8-0-1 Mike Rock KO 1 (6) 13/09/1926 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 7-0-1 Gene Travers KO 1 (6) 07/09/1926 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 6-0-1 Walter Westman TKO 3 (6) 09/07/1926 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5-0-1 Jim Pearson TKO 2 (?) 28/06/1926 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4-0-1 Leo Dobson KO 1 (4) 18/06/1926 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 3-0-1 Willie Daily KO 1 (?) 03/05/1926 Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 2-0-1 Jack O'Day KO 1 (?) 02/05/1926 Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 1-0-1 Phil Weisberger KO 2 (6) 22/04/1926 Knights of Columbus, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, United States Deschner down twice in 1st round.
Draw 0-0-1 Al Settle NWS 4 13/04/1926 Amsterdam Hall, Union City, New Jersey, United States Jersey Journal & Hudson Dispatch both called this a draw. Pro debut for Braddock.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Dorothy Day
  2. ^ Movie: Cinderella Man
  3. ^ Rounds, Kate. "James J. Braddock Park—North Bergen" Palisade magazine; Summer 2010; Page 16
  4. ^ Cinderella Man at The Numbers
  5. ^ Cinderella Man at Rotten Tomatoes

References

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Max Baer		 World Heavyweight Champion
1935–1937		 Succeeded by
Joe Louis