James J. Braddock
James J. Braddock | |
---|---|
![]() Braddock in 1935 | |
Statistics | |
Real name | James Walter Braddock |
Nickname(s) | Bulldog of Bergen Pride of the Irish Pride of New Jersey Cinderella Man |
Weight(s) | Middleweight Light heavyweight Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in (1.89 m) |
Reach | 75 in (191 cm) [1] |
Nationality | American |
Born | (1905-06-07)June 7, 1905 New York, New York, U.S. |
Died | November 29, 1974(1974-11-29) (aged 69) North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 86 |
Wins | 50 |
Wins by KO | 25 |
Losses | 26 |
Draws | 7 |
No contests | 2 |
James Walter Braddock (June 8,[2] 1905 – November 29, 1974) was an American[3][4]boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937.[5]
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), Braddock was known for his spoiling, counterpunching style, powerful right hand and his iron chin. 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 Great Depression. He made a comeback, and in 1935 he fought Max Baer for the heavyweight title and won. For this unlikely feat he was given the nickname "Cinderella Man" by Damon Runyon. Braddock was managed by Joe Gould.
Contents
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 Max Baer fight
2.2 Heavyweight Champion
3 Personal life
4 Death and legacy
5 Professional boxing record
6 See also
7 Notes
8 References
9 External links
Early life
Braddock was born in Hell's Kitchen in New York City on West 48th Street. He moved to North Bergen, New Jersey at an early age. He was one of seven children[2] being raised by immigrant parents; Irish mother Elizabeth O'Tool and Anglo-Irish father Joseph Braddock.[6] He stated his life's early ambition was to play college 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. His first fight in a ring occurred on November 27, 1923.[7] After three years, Braddock's record was 44–2–2 (.938), with 21 knockouts.
In 1928, Braddock pulled off a major upset by knocking out highly regarded Tuffy Griffiths. The following year he earned a chance to fight for the title, 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.[3]
His next 33 fights were significantly less successful, with a 11–20–2 (.364) record. 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.[8] 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.[citation needed]
Max Baer fight

Braddock (left) and Joe Gould (center), training as officers at the Atlantic Coast Transportation Corps Officers Training School in Fort Slocum, New York
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,[9] Braddock was given a title fight against the World Heavyweight Champion, Max Baer.[1][10]
Baer hardly trained for the bout, but Braddock did. "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."[11]
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, despite his recent impressive victories. 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 what was called "the greatest fistic upset since the defeat of John L. Sullivan by Jim Corbett".[3]
During the fight, a dogged Braddock took a few heavy hits from the powerful younger champion (30 years versus 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.[10][12]
Heavyweight Champion
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. There was also concern that if Schmeling won, the Nazi government would deny American fighters opportunities to fight for the title.[13] Finally, American commentators had expressed opposition to the fight in light of the connections between Schmeling and Adolf Hitler, with whom the German fighter had been associated after his earlier victory over Louis.[13][14]
Personal life
Braddock married Mae Fox in 1930 and the couple had three children, James (Jay), Howard and Rosemarie.[15][16]
Braddock enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and became a first lieutenant. He served in the Pacific theater on the island of Saipan, where he trained enlisted men in hand-to-hand combat.[17][16]
Upon return, he worked as a marine equipment surplus supplier and helped construct the Verrazano Bridge in the early 1960s.[18]
Death and legacy

James J. Braddock North Hudson Park in North Bergen, New Jersey
After 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.[19]
The 2005 biographical film Cinderella Man tells Braddock's story. Directed by Ron Howard, it stars Russell Crowe as Braddock and Renée Zellweger as his wife, Mae.[20] The film had an estimated budget of $88 million and grossed $108.5 million worldwide.[21] Crowe's performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. 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.[22]
Professional boxing record
Result |
Record |
Opponent |
Type |
Round |
Date |
Location |
Notes |
Win |
51–26–7 2 NC |
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SD |
10 |
01/21/1938 |
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Referee had it 4–4–2, but Braddock on points. |
Loss |
50–26–7 2 NC |
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KO |
8 (15) |
06/22/1937 |
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Lost World Heavyweight title. 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 |
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UD |
15 |
06/13/1935 |
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Won World Heavyweight title.[10][12] Baer feinted a knockdown in the 8th round. |
Win |
49–25–7 2 NC |
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UD |
15 |
03/22/1935 |
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|
Win |
48–25–7 2 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
11/16/1934 |
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|
Win |
47–25–7 2 NC |
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TKO |
3 (5) |
06/14/1934 |
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Both fighters down in second round. |
NC |
46–25–7 2 NC |
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NC |
6 (10) |
09/25/1933 |
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Benefit for Mt. Vernon Police Department Home Relief Fund. Braddock broke his right hand. |
Win |
46–25–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
07/21/1933 |
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|
Win |
45–25–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
06/21/1933 |
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|
Loss |
44–25–7 1 NC |
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UD |
10 |
06/19/1933 |
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Stillman down in first; Braddock injured his right hand with the punch. Two judges voted. |
Loss |
44–24–7 1 NC |
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MD |
10 |
04/05/1933 |
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|
Win |
44–23–7 1 NC |
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TKO |
10 (10) |
03/21/1933 |
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Stillman down once in 9th and twice in 10th rounds. |
Loss |
43–23–7 1 NC |
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DQ |
4 (8) |
03/01/1933 |
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Braddock was disqualified for 'not trying'. |
Loss |
43–22–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
11/09/1932 |
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|
Win |
43–21–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
01/13/1933 |
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|
Loss |
42–21–7 1 NC |
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TKO |
6 (10) |
11/09/1932 |
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Braddock stopped with a cut left eye; he had been cut in the Patrick fight. |
Loss |
42–20–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
10/21/1932 |
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|
Win |
42–19–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
09/30/1932 |
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Jackson down in the 1st round. |
Loss |
41–19–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
09/21/1932 |
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|
Loss |
41–18–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
8 |
07/25/1932 |
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|
Win |
41–17–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
5 |
06/21/1932 |
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Walk–Out Bout after Sharkey won Schmeling. |
Loss |
40–17–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
05/13/1932 |
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|
Loss |
40–16–7 1 NC |
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UD |
10 |
03/18/1932 |
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|
Loss |
40–15–7 1 NC |
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PTS |
10 |
12/04/1931 |
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|
NC |
40–14–7 1 NC |
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NC |
2 (10) |
11/10/1931 |
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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 |
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PTS |
10 |
10/09/1931 |
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|
Draw |
40–13–7 |
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PTS |
10 |
09/03/1931 |
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|
Win |
40–13–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
03/30/1931 |
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|
Win |
39–13–6 |
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KO |
1 (6) |
03/05/1931 |
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|
Loss |
38–13–6 |
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SD |
10 |
01/23/1931 |
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|
Win |
38–12–6 |
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KO |
2 (6) |
01/23/1931 |
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Mercurio went down 3 times in round 1, and then was counted out in the 2nd. |
Loss |
37–12–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
08/11/1930 |
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|
Win |
37–11–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
07/02/1930 |
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|
Loss |
36–11–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
06/05/1930 |
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|
Loss |
36–10–6 |
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UD |
10 |
04/07/1930 |
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|
Loss |
36–9–6 |
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SD |
10 |
17/01/1930 |
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Lomski knocked down in 2nd and 5th rounds. |
Win |
36–8–6 |
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KO |
2 (6) |
12/07/1929 |
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|
Loss |
35–8–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
11/15/1929 |
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|
Loss |
35–7–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
08/27/1929 |
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|
Loss |
35–6–6 |
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UD |
15 |
07/18/1929 |
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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 |
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KO |
1 (8) |
04/22/1929 |
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|
Win |
34–5–6 |
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TKO |
9 (10) |
03/11/1929 |
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|
Win |
33–5–6 |
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KO |
1 (10) |
02/04/1929 |
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|
Loss |
32–5–6 |
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MD |
10 |
01/18/1929 |
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|
Win |
32–4–6 |
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TKO |
2 (10) |
11/30/1928 |
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Griffiths was floored 4 times in the 2nd round. |
Win |
31–4–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
10/17/1928 |
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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 |
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PTS |
10 |
08/08/1928 |
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Braddock cut over left eye in 7th. |
Draw |
30–3–6 |
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PTS |
10 |
07/25/1928 |
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|
Draw |
30–3–5 |
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NWS |
10 |
06/27/1928 |
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Newspaper decision from New York City area newspapers (Jack Kincaid). |
Loss |
30–3–4 |
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PTS |
10 |
06/07/1928 |
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|
Win |
30–2–4 |
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NWS |
10 |
05/16/1928 |
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Newspaper decision from New York City area newspapers (Jack Kincaid). |
Win |
29–2–4 |
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KO |
4 (10) |
05/07/1928 |
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|
Win |
28–2–4 |
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PTS |
8 |
01/06/1928 |
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|
Draw |
27–2–4 |
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PTS |
10 |
10/07/1927 |
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|
Loss |
27–2–3 |
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NWS |
10 |
09/21/1927 |
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Newspaper decision from New York City area newspapers (Jack Kincaid). |
Win |
27–1–3 |
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NWS |
10 |
08/10/1927 |
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Newspaper decision from The New York Times. |
Win |
26–1–3 |
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UD |
6 |
07/21/1927 |
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|
Win |
25–1–3 |
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NWS |
10 |
07/13/1927 |
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Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Record. |
Win |
24–1–3 |
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NWS |
10 |
06/08/1927 |
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Newspaper decision from The New York Times. |
Loss |
23–1–3 |
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NWS |
10 |
05/27/1927 |
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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 |
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PTS |
6 |
05/19/1927 |
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|
Win |
22–0–2 |
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NWS |
10 |
05/19/1927 |
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Braddock knocked down for first time in career, but won. (Source: Boxing Blade, May 28, 1927, page 6.) |
Win |
21–0–2 |
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TKO |
1 (6) |
05/02/1927 |
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Simmons down 4 times |
Win |
20–0–2 |
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TKO |
3 (6) |
04/19/1927 |
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|
Win |
19–0–2 |
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KO |
2 (?) |
03/15/1927 |
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Bout held during March; possibly Wilkes–Barre. |
Win |
18–0–2 |
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PTS |
6 |
03/08/1927 |
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|
Win |
17–0–2 |
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PTS |
4 |
03/03/1927 |
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|
Win |
16–0–2 |
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PTS |
6 |
02/15/1927 |
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|
Win |
15–0–2 |
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KO |
4 (6) |
02/01/1927 |
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|
Win |
14–0–2 |
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KO |
1 (4) |
01/28/1927 |
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|
Draw |
13–0–2 |
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NWS |
4 |
12/20/1926 |
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Christmas Fund Show. Jersey Journal & Hudson Dispatch both called this a draw. |
Win |
13–0–1 |
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PTS |
6 |
12/08/1926 |
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|
Win |
12–0–1 |
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PTS |
6 |
12/04/1926 |
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|
Win |
11–0–1 |
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PTS |
6 |
11/12/1926 |
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|
Win |
10–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (6) |
09/30/1926 |
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|
Win |
9–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (6) |
09/16/1926 |
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|
Win |
8–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (6) |
09/13/1926 |
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|
Win |
7–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (6) |
09/07/1926 |
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|
Win |
6–0–1 |
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TKO |
3 (6) |
07/09/1926 |
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|
Win |
5–0–1 |
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TKO |
2 (?) |
06/28/1926 |
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|
Win |
4–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (4) |
06/18/1926 |
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|
Win |
3–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (?) |
05/03/1926 |
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|
Win |
2–0–1 |
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KO |
1 (?) |
05/02/1926 |
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|
Win |
1–0–1 |
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KO |
2 (6) |
04/22/1926 |
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Deschner down twice in 1st round. |
Draw |
0–0–1 |
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NWS |
4 |
04/13/1926 |
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Jersey Journaland Hudson Dispatch both called this a draw. Pro debut for Braddock. |
Sources:[23][24] |
See also
- List of lineal boxing world champions
- List of heavyweight boxing champions
- Boyle's Thirty Acres
Joe Louis Arena (located in Detroit, Michigan)
Notes
^ ab "Max Baer 5 to 1 favorite to beat Jimmy Braddock tonight". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. June 13, 1935. p. 6, part 2..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ ab Schaap, Jeremy (2005). Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 4–6. ISBN 0-618-55117-4.
^ abc "Cinderella Man – James J Braddock". Retrieved 2014-10-18.
^ Watson, William E.; Halus Jr., Eugene J. (2014-11-25). Irish Americans: The History and Culture of a People: The History and Culture of a People. ABC-CLIO. p. 253. ISBN 9781610694674. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
^ "Braddock's death recalls ups and downs of career". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. November 30, 1974. p. 14.
^ Brown, Ned (June 16, 1935). "Life's been no rose bed for new Heavy champ". Milwaukee Journal. p. 1, sports.
^ Schaap (2005), p. 12
^ Schaap (2005), p. 165
^ Brietz, Eddie (March 23, 1935). "Braddock decisive victor over Lasky". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. p. 1, sports.
^ abc Rice, Grantland (June 14, 1935). "Braddock beats Baer; Max Schmeling to get title shot in 1936". Milwaukee Journal. p. 8, part 2.
^ Rice, Grantland (June 2, 1935). "It will be a real fight, says Jim Braddock". Milwaukee Journal. NANA. p. 1, sports.
^ ab Neil, Edward J. (June 14, 1935). "Verdict for Braddock unanimous". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. p. 13.
^ ab Walsh, Davis J. (January 14, 1937). "Proposed boycott of Braddock-Schmeling fight gains ground". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). INS. p. 12.
^ Pegler, Westbrook (January 14, 1937). "Fair Enough". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. (Florida). p. 3.
^ Schaap (2005), p. 35.
^ ab "Braddock, Who Beat Baer for Title Dies". The New York Times. November 30, 1974. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
^ Estate of James J. Braddock, James J. Braddock.com Bio
^ James J. Braddock.Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 9: 1971–1975. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1994
^ Rounds, Kate. "James J. Braddock Park—North Bergen" Palisade magazine; Summer 2010. p. 16
^ "Jimmy Braddock climbed fast: Hit top of fight ladder in three years". Border Cities Star. Windsor, Ontario. Associated Press. June 19, 1935. p. 1, sports.
^ Cinderella Man at The Numbers
^ "Cinderella Man (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
^ "James J. Braddock – Fight Record". Estate of James J. Braddock. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
^ "James J. 'Jim' Braddock (James Walter Braddock)('Cinderella Man')". Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
References
- Joe Louis, Edna Rust, Art Rust Jr., Joe Louis: My Life
- "Cinderella Man" by Eminem, 2010
Joe Louis, 66, Heavyweight King Who Reigned 12 Years, Is Dead, Obituary, New York Times, April 13, 1981.- Louis' TAX issues
- Jenny Nolan, "The Brown Bomber – The Man Behind The Fist", The Detroit News
"Remembering Joe Louis", WTVM- "The Long Loneliness", by Dorothy Day, 1952
External links
Official James J. Braddock website (includes videos of some rounds of Braddock's fights with Baer and Louis)
"James J. Braddock". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
Braddock's career record – from the Official James J. Braddock website
Collection of critical opinion of Cinderella Man at Rotten Tomatoes
Braddock's short biography at the International Boxing Hall of Fame
- James Braddock vs Max Baer, 13 June 1935, all rounds
- James Braddock vs Joe Louis, 22 June 1937, all rounds
Professional boxing record for James J. Braddock from BoxRec
- James J. Braddock – CBZ Profile
- Quits Docks To Win Three Great Fights: Half Starved, Braddock Battles His Way To Scrap With Baer, by Harry Grayson, Sports Editor, NEA Service, June 5, 1935
Sporting positions | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Max Baer |
World Heavyweight Champion June 13, 1935 – June 22, 1937 |
Succeeded by Joe Louis |
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