Introduction
James J. Braddock
JAMES J. BRADDOCK earned his nickname, the Cinderella Man, from his seemingly fairytale like rise from a poor local fighter to the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.
Braddock, born in New York City on June 7th, 1906, had a powerful right hand and a successful amateur career. He turned pro in 1926. Braddock had victories over fighters like Jimmy Slattery and Pete Latzo. Braddock fought light heavyweight champ Tommy Loughran in 1929 for the title, but was defeated in a heartbreaking 15-round decision. Following the Loughran fight and the stock market crash of 1929, Jim Braddock was down on his luck. He had a hard time struggling to win fights and put food on the table for his young family.
Eventually Jim’s luck began to change. In 1934 he had upset wins against Corn Griffin and John Henry Lewis. With these two wins, Braddock set himself up for a shot for the title against heavyweight champion Max Baer. Baer had taken the title from Primo Carnera after earning title shot at Yankee Stadium in June of 1933 with a 10th round TKO of Max Scmeling.
On June 13th, 1935, in Long Island City, N.Y., Braddock, as a 10 to 1 underdog, won the heavyweight championship of the world from Max Baer. The general reaction in most quarters was described as, “the greatest fistic upset since the defeat of John L. Sullivan by Jim Corbett.” Braddock would lose his heavyweight title two years later in an 8 round KO to “The Brown Bomber,” Joe Louis. He retired after a final win over Tommy Farr in 1938. Jim was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1964, the Hudson County Hall of Fame in 1991 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. James J. Braddock died on November 29th, 1974.
Cinderella Man
A movie about the life of Jim Braddock, to be called The Cinderella Man is being made, starring Russell Crowe and to be directed by Ron Howard.
Joe Bugner went the distance twice with Muhammad Ali and once with Joe Frazier in the early 1970s.
In This Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
Jim Braddock Claims He’s a ‘Hungry Champion’ Who Must Beat Max Schmeling in Order to Make Some Money Out of Second Title Defense. Has Just About Cleared Expenses Since Winning Crown from Maxie Baer; Figures Two-fisted Attack Will Enable Him to Beat Teuton.
By JACK CUDDY
LOCH SHELDRAKE, N. Y., Aug. 14.—Since Max Schmeling belted the daylights out of Marse Joe Louis, I pay more attention to a fighter when he tells me he will beat another man—and why.
Schmeling tried to tell me—over there in Berlin last March—just how and why he would beat Louis, but I thought he was whistling past the graveyard. So this time, when Champion James J. Braddock paused in his training endeavors and drew a word picture of what will happen when he defends his title against Schmeling at the Madison Square Garden Bowl the last week in September, I listened attentively.
Jersey James, the erstwhile longshoreman who wrested the title from Maxie Baer a year ago last June—and who hasn’t had a fight since—says he will beat the German ex-champion because of financial necessity and because a good two-fisted fighter always can down a one-handed scrapper.
Yes sir, that’s what Jimmy called Herr Schmeling: “A one-handed scrapper who never learned why the Lord gave him a left fin.”
Braddock claims that he is a “hungry champion” who must beat the Nazi Nailer in order to make some money with a second title defense.
Just About Cleared Expenses While Holding Crown
“YOU see I’ve just about cleared expenses while I’ve held the title,” Braddock explained as he leaned against the outdoor ring in his bathrobe, preparatory to sparring a couple rounds with one of his mates, Charley Masera. “I didn’t get much out of the championship fight with Baer—and I haven’t made much barnstorming around the country, giving exhibitions and refereeing. Outside of paying out $7500 for a cottage in the Catskills for my wife and kids, I really haven’t been able to salt much away.
“And if I lose the championship, I’ll be just about in the same spot where I was before I won it. Because, while I’m getting the champ’s cut out of this bout with Schmeling, by the time the federal and state taxes are taken out and everybody else gets their cuts, I won’t have much of it left. I’ll need another good gate to put me on my feet. And I won’t get that gate if I don’t keep the title against Schmeling. I’ve just got to win that fight or the Braddocks will be on their way back to the relief roles.”
Jimmy admitted that Schmeling had a good right hand, but he explained that Mr. Braddock had a good right and a good left—and that he knew just what to do with both of them against a fighter of Schmeling’s type.
Expects to Keep Schmeling Off Balance with Left
“I’LL keep him off balance with my left. All the time, just like I kept Baer off balance,” he confided. “Then I’ll shoot that right in and stun him a bit. I don’t think Maxie will last the route.”
But what will happen when the German unleashes that trip-hammer right to Jimmy’s chin?
“Well—if you’re so sure he’s going to land that right on my chin,” he said, “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll pay you five dollars every time he hits me with that right, if you’ll pay me five every time he misses with his right. I mean—I won’t be holding my chin out there for him to hit, like Louis did. He isn’t fighting any amateur this time. And nobody ever put me down for the count yet.”
Braddock’s conditioning here since July 2 certainly has left him in apparently fine physical condition. He is pared down to 202 pounds, about eight over his fighting weight, and his daily runs over the nearby hill trails have given him plenty of stamina. When he gets in the ring with any one of his four sparmates, he belts away from gong to gong. Twice he has kayoed one of his human punching bags, Sol Strumm, who is considering an early departure. Jimmy is training as hard for his fight as he did for the Baer affair and that was just about tops in training.
James J. Braddock vs. Tommy Farr
January 21, 1938
James J. Braddock
Tommy Farr
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
The young-old men who astounded the boxing world back in 1935 by defeating Maxie Baer for the heavyweight crown, is again slated for action in the squared circle. On Friday night, thousands of fight fans, with their eyes glued to the ring at Madison Square Garden, will eagerly watch James J. Braddock who, at the age of 34, is again seeking to establish himself as the leading challenger for the title he lost to Joe Louis.
Jim will be meeting the present chief attraction of the heavyweight division, Tommy Farr, the fighter from overseas, who proved a sensation when he went the distance of 15 rounds with the champion Joe Louis.
Farr, a courageous youth, with a hide as tough as that of a rhinoceros, hopes to eliminate James J. and work himself into a position for another chance with Louis.
Many things of an unexpected nature may happen, when the bell clangs in that ring at the Garden. Many hopes have been blasted there while others have it as crowned “kings.” It’s the melting pot of the boxing fraternity. It is the same ring where a few weeks ago, Freddy Steele, middleweight champion left the ring a beaten and battered chap after a battle with Freddy Apostoli, who emerged victor, but not a champion by reason of the so-called “overweight match.”
Steele was a three to one favorite, and still he was licked. Farr is an eight to five favorite, but one of the biggest assets in boxing is the desire to win. Jim will have that. He will be fighting for those kids over in Jersey—and in my humble opinion, will step out of that Garden ring, bigger and better than ever with the second comeback of an eventful career.
* * *
Pat Patucci, the Port Norris farm boy, who has fully recovered from a cut eye, swings into fistic action on Friday night at the Cambria Club, in Philadelphia, with Frankie Rice, the sensational colored lad of Philadelphia.
Rice and Patucci are not strangers in the squared circle. In Bridgeton several months ago they fought a bristling draw that had the fans in deliriums of excitement. Patucci is rounding into condition at the Echowood Farms, at Elmer, training quarters belonging to his manager, Harry “Buzz” Grinnan.
Top Notch Heavies Meet at N.Y. Garden In 10-Round Tussle
Camden Courier-Post —
Welshman Rated 2½ to 1 Over Ex-champion; Winner to Meet Maxie Baer
BUT LOUIS BOUT IS AIM
By JACK CUDDY
New York, Jan. 21 (UP)—Jim Braddock and Tommy Farr, two picturesque pugilistic figures who were beaten by Champion Joe Louis in their last fights, will meet tonight in a white patch of light in darkened Madison Square Garden, each hoping to launch a come-back campaign.
The winner will march up the trail to a bout with Maxie Baer on March 11. The loser will disappear from the pugilistic proscenium. Braddock, the 32-year-old, “Cinderella Man” will hang up his gloves, if beaten. Farr, the crooning clouter from Wales, will return to his British Isles and obscurity, if he loses.
It is an important fight, although scheduled for only 10 rounds. Because the winner is virtually certain to battle for the world championship next September. Both Braddock and Farr are members of the heavyweight division’s “big four” which includes also Champion Louis and No. 1 challenger Max Schmeling.
Baer Is Washed Up
Louis risks his title against Schmeling in June. Victor of that bout will defend against either Braddock or Farr in September. In this day when good heavyweights are scarcer than otter feathers, who is there to stand between tonight’s winner and a title bout? Surely not the washed up Maxie Baer.
Farr was quoted as the 2½ to 1 favorite last night by Maurie Waxman, editor of boxing’s weekly magazine “Bang.” Farr is favored by the betting men for two big reasons: (1) He gave Champion Louis a thundering battle for the full 15 rounds in August, whereas Braddock was knocked out in the eighth round by Louis in June. That was when Louis wrested the title from Braddock. (2) Farr is young—just approaching 24, while Braddock is 32.
Both principals were impressive in training. Braddock, at Pompton Lakes, N. J., indicated that his legs were just as strong as when he was campaigning five years ago. Those legs weaken first after a fighter passes his prime. Jim’s right uppercut, with which he floored Louis at Chicago, is ready. Farr, generally rated as a light puncher, appeared to be approaching the explosive qualities of a knockout artist as he floored his sparmates at Summit, N. J.
Farr Has Advantage
The bout shapes up like this: Farr has an age advantage of about eight years. He still has a young body, although he possesses virtually the same experience as Jersey James. Both have been fighting about 10 years.
Farr started as a professional in the British boxing booths when he was wearing his first long pants. Farr will have a weight advantage of about nine pounds. Braddock is expected to scale about 195 pounds when they weigh-in today at noon at the Garden, and Farr should register about 204. Farr is expected to set a fast pace, trying to wear the veteran down.
Meanwhile, Braddock, with his excellent left jab and hard straight right, will be trying to knock out the Tonypandy terror. Betting men expect Farr to weather Braddock’s Sunday punches and wear down the former champ. They figure Jersey Jim will start to fade after the sixth round. Then it will be a question only of whether he can remain afoot until the final bell.
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
Somewhere around 10 o’clock to-night at Madison Square Garden two fistic luminaries will do battle for 10 rounds or less.
One will be James J. Braddock, the man who came from the relief rolls of New Jersey to win the most coveted title of all—the heavyweight championship. Opposed to him will be a lad from abroad, whose ring value went high when he battled 15 furious rounds with Champion Joe Louis.
I expect to be there with a prayer that the former king will stage a comeback or repulse the invader. And while all the boxing experts are picking Tommy Farr as a sure winner, I still dispute them and predict a victory for James J.
The prophesy is not wholly without a logical foundation in my mind. First, the distance of 10 rounds is in favor of Braddock, who is much the older of the two. Secondly, Farr can’t hit hard enough to knock your hat off. And I’ll say that in 10 important fights, Farr has not obtained the knowledge Jim possesses after battling the world’s best in more than 10 active years in the arena.
To offset any advantages possessed by Farr, I’ll take the one factor that should rule heavily in favor of the “Jersey Irishman”—his ability to hit. Jim hits hard enough to belt out any man, and Farr is no exception.
Another factor favoring Braddock is Farr’s willingness to carry the fight. Jim is a mighty fine sharp-shooter with his left hand, and Farr, at some time during the action, will prove a target for Jim’s right hand, and when that occurs, I’m thinking Farr’s chances of winning will go flying.
Another big advantage in Braddock’s favor will be his manager and chief second, Joe Gould, who has handled fights and fighters for the past 20 years. He knows Braddock thoroughly. He will know when Jim is tired and will tell him how to shorten his punches to win. In fact, Jim will have the advantage of four eyes. These two men have been associated so long that Jim will and does have implicit confidence in Gould. As soon as Joe telegraphs a message to Jim, he will sure follow it through.
A victory for Braddock will put the boxing business in a muddle, with James J. and Max Baer, both former champions, prepared to battle for the second time, to determine the fitness of either one to meet the winner of the Louis-Schmeling battle.
Rated Underdog, Jersey Jim Upsets Dope in Comeback Attempt at Garden
Camden Courier-Post —
Braddock Gains Decision Over Farr in Heavyweight Fuss
Ex-Champion Finishes Strong To Wipe Out Foe’s Early Lead
20,000 HAIL WINNER
By JACK CUDDY
Madison Square Garden, New York, Jan. 22 (UP).—Jim Braddock, Cinderella Man of the ring, last night launched his heavyweight comeback campaign with a stunning upset victory over young Tommy Farr, of Wales, before nearly 20,000 elatedly screaming fans.
Braddock, who lost the world title in his last fight with Joe Louis, came back last night and fought rugged Farr off his feet in the closing rounds to redeem a cause that seemed lost in the earlier milling. His amazing rally in the ninth and tenth rounds captured the 10-round decision.
Although Jim’s stomach and sides were battered purple by Farr’s continuous body barrage, he came out in the ninth like a youthful boxing master and started driving the carrot-thatched Welshman before him with blows that rained to Farr’s head and body.
Staggers Farr
Tommy staggered backwards again and again from the unexpected explosiveness in the fists of the year-old Jersey ex-Longshoreman whom many had regarded as virtually washed up and who had entered the ring a 3-1 underdog in the betting.
Farr furiously tried to fight back, but he was carried before Braddock’s amazing attack in the ninth. Jim continued this hooking barrage in the 10th, and, although it was a thundering session, he won the round by a wide margin.
Until the ninth Farr was leading five rounds to three, by virtue of his sustained body attack. It was quite evident that Tonypandy Tommy figured that he had the bout in his pocket by this time inasmuch as the tall, brown-haired ex-champion seemed to be tiring badly. But the last two sessions changed the whole complexion of the fight.
Decision Not Unanimous
According to the United Press score sheet, Farr won five rounds and Braddock five, but the damage Jersey Jim did in the last two frames made it imperative that he receive the verdict. However, it was not a unanimous decision. Referee Johnny McAvoy and Judge George Lecron voted for Braddock, while the other judge, Charlie Lynch, gave his verdict to Farr.
Tommy, who had made a grand showing in his last fight with Joe Louis—going the full 15 rounds—was so disappointed and angry with the verdict that he refused to shake hands with Braddock when Jim came over to the Welshman’s corner. The crowd booed Farr loudly for this action.
Farr’s disappointment was easily understood. A victory last night would have launched him right back on the come-back trail and given him a fight with Maxie Baer on March 11. Farr already has beaten Baer in England. So has Braddock, who wrested the heavyweight title from Madcap Maxie in 1935. Braddock will now meet Baer, instead of Farr. Winner of the Braddock-Baer bout may get another shot at the title.
There were no knockdowns last night, and there was little blood spilled, although two rugged, lion-hearted fighters hammered away for 10 rounds. Braddock’s body bruises and a gash on the bridge of his nose were Jim’s only marks, although Farr did re-open a training wound in Braddock’s left ear. Farr suffered a slight gash on the left cheek and was bleeding from the nose during most of the sessions.
Braddock’s jabbing and hooking attack won the first two rounds. Jim was cool and using the experience of more than a decade of scrapping in evading Farr’s wild rushes. He jabbed and hooked the crouching and weaving Welshman and then tied him up in the clinches. Jim took the third on a foul, when Tommy dropped a hard left hook below the belt. This round would have gone to Farr by a slight margin were it not for the foul.
During the next five rounds Farr pressed the attack and relentlessly drilled Jim’s body, now and then lifting the barrage to the head. In the sixth, seventh and eighth, it seemed that the invader had worn Jim down to a walk, and many were wondering if the former champion could last out the distance. But their fears were squelched in the ninth—when Jim started dancing about the ring and whaling away as if he had taken a drink from Ponce de Leon’s fountain of youth.
Gross Gate $80,645
Promoter Mike Jacobs announced that the gross gate was $80,645, contributed by 17,369 paying customers. There were probably 2000 more persons in the crowd.
In the dressing room, Farr told reporters: “I am so dumbfounded I don’t know what to say. I thought I won by a fair margin.”
He was the picture of dejection as he sat on a rubbing table. “I guess I can’t fight. But I can always make a living in the mines.”
He did not say when he planned returning to Britain.
Young Braddock Again
Braddock, who had danced about the ring with his manager, Joe Gould, was still bubbling over with happiness in his dressing quarters. “I’m Young Jimmy Braddock again. I paced myself very nicely, and everything went off the way I planned,” he said. “I’d like to get another crack now at Louis, but I don’t care who I fight next.”
Gould tossed a bombshell into the dressing room by declaring: “Now, boys, we don’t want to fight Baer again. We beat him once. What would another bout mean?”
Braddock, at 32, and weighing 199¼ pounds—seven and a half less than 24-year-old Farr—was proud at having played the role of Cinderella man for the second time in the past three years. When he took the title from Baer, he had gone into the ring an 8-1 underdog. That victory was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Last night’s also was quite a sensation.
In the closing six round bout after the main event, Jorge Brescia, 212, Argentina, won the decision over Jack McCarthy, 195½, Boston. McCarthy was one of Braddock’s sparring partners.
Scribes In Free-For-All
In the opening preliminary, George Maselli, 199, Yonkers, N. Y., Heavyweight, won the four-round decision over Dick Hogan, 190, Boston. By this time all balconies and the end and side arenas were filled, only a few vacancies were left in the ringside seats.
In the second round of the next preliminary, a free-for-all fist fight broke out among newspaper men at the ringside. Two of the principals were Jimmy Powers, sports editor of the New York Daily News, and Ed Van Every, boxing writer of the New York Sun.
Several other writers and sitters nearby joined briefly in the melee, which was halted quickly by police and plainclothes men. Cause of the fight was believed to be the result of differences of opinion regarding the conduct of the fight game in New York City.
When Powers returned to the ringside, he and Jack Miley, former columnist of the Daily News, became involved in another fist fight. Powers claimed Miley had slugged him in the opening exchange with Van Every.
Crowd Interested In Scribes
The entire crowd was more interested in the scrapping among the scribes than in the scrapping in the second preliminary in which Bobby Milsap, negro middleweight from Sacramento, Cal., was boxing six rounds with Stanley Hasrato, of Yonkers, N. Y.
Promoter Mike Jacobs came down to the ringside and asked Jack Miley to step out into the corridor with him for a conference.
Hasrato, who weighed 163, won the decision over Milsap, who scaled 160. When the third preliminary ended, the Garden was jammed. Many were standing in the balcony. Promoter Jacobs estimated the crowd as “exceeding 18,000.” Johnny Rossi, 160½, Worcester, Mass., won the six-round decision over Emil Calgagni, 153½, Elizabeth, N. J.
In the eighth round semi-final, Bob Tow, promising young heavyweight from Alexandria, Va., won the decision over big Eddie Hogan, of Waterbury, Conn. It was a dull fight, Tow weighed 207½ pounds; Hogan 228½.
Blow by Blow of Each Round
Camden Courier-Post —
Round One—Braddock led with a left to the face which was just short. Farr barely reached Braddock with a light left to the body. They sparred cautiously, each waiting for an opening. Farr sent over a solid one, a right, by Farr to the jaw. They tapped each other gently in a half clinch. Farr shot out a nice left to the face. Braddock scored with a left to the body. Braddock scored lefts and rights to the body. Farr’s round by a slight margin.
Round Two—They came out slowly. Mauling in a clinch they traded body blows with honors even. Each got over left jabs to the face. Farr dived into Braddock scoring a left to the face and missing a right to the head. Braddock landed a hard right to the jaw and rights to the body. Braddock sent over a nice right to the face. They pawed each other at long range and then Braddock belted Farr to the head. Farr tapped Braddock with a left to the face and took a stinging left to the nose in return. Fighting in a clinch, they whaled away to each other’s body. After this exchange Farr scored a right to the face which annoyed Jim. Braddock landed a left to the left cheek which bled slightly. Braddock scored with lefts to the body round, by a scant margin.
Round Three—Farr came out with a left to the body and then Braddock scored a left to the face. Farr bored into Braddock with a two-fisted attack. Farr got over two lefts to the head. They were clinching repeatedly. They exchanged lefts and rights to the head. Farr led in the first real flurry of the fight. Farr was just short with a powerful right to the body. He seemed flustered while Braddock was cool. Braddock got under Farr’s guard with a left to the body. Jim shot Farr back with a right to the head. Jim took the third on a foul, when Tommy dropped a hard left hook below the belt. This round would have gone to Farr by a slight margin were it not for the foul.
Round Four—Braddock got over a solid left to the face and then Farr followed with a left to the face. They pawed each other at long range. Farr tapped Braddock with a left to the face and took a stinging left to the nose in return. Braddock followed with a left to the face and then belted Farr to the head. They clinched in a neutral corner. Farr scored with a right to the face. Farr landed a hard right. Farr swung at Braddock with lefts and rights and slashed Braddock scoring repeatedly with lefts and rights to the body. Farr wrestled Braddock around and drew boos from the crowd. They traded lefts and rights to the body. Farr landed a stiff right to the face. It was Farr’s round by a wide margin.
Round Five—Farr came out fast while Braddock seemed tired. Farr swarmed over Braddock with lefts and rights to the face and followed with a right to the same section. It was Farr’s round.
Round Six—Farr landed a jab to the face. Braddock cuffed Farr with lefts and rights to the face. Braddock pecked away at the Welshman’s face with a left. Coming out of a clinch, Farr swung Braddock around. Farr landed two lefts to the head and took a stunning right to the face in return. Farr landed a powerful right to the face but missed with a left to the body. Farr spun Braddock around with a hard right to the jaw. Farr scored several left and right hand smashes that made the former champion cover up. Braddock scored a left uppercut and fell into a clinch. They stood with their heads together and pelted away at each other. Farr emerged from the melee the master of the situation. Farr’s round.
Round Seven—Before Braddock tied him up in a clinch. Braddock missed a left to the jaw. Farr jumped at Braddock but missed with a left aimed at Jim’s head. Farr pelted away at Braddock in the latter’s corner at the bell. Farr’s round.
Round Eight—Farr opened with a left to the body which just got under Jim’s guard. Braddock cuffed Farr with lefts and rights to the face. Braddock pecked away at the Welshman’s face with a left. Coming out of a clinch, Farr swung Braddock around. Farr landed two lefts to the head and took a stunning right to the face in return. Farr landed a powerful right to the face but missed with a left to the body. Farr spun Braddock around with a hard right to the jaw. Farr scored several left and right hand smashes that made the former champion cover up. Braddock scored a left uppercut and fell into a clinch. They stood with their heads together and pelted away at each other. Farr emerged from the melee the master of the situation. Farr’s round.
Round Nine—Each missed with lefts to the head. Farr dived at Braddock but was wild with a right to the face. Braddock landed a light left to the body and a right to the head. Angered, Farr bore in and scored with a hard right to the body. Braddock landed two stinging lefts to the face that brought cheers from the crowd. Braddock pounded away at Farr with stunning rights to the head and followed with a stiff left to the jaw. Swinging wildly Braddock landed a right to the head. Braddock pounded the Welshman with hard rights to the body. Braddock landed a stiff left to the jaw. They traded hard rights to the body. Braddock was pounding away at his adversary without return at the bell. Braddock’s round by a wide margin.
Round Ten—They tapped gloves as they came out for the final round. Farr opened with a jolting left to the body. Braddock waited for his chance and then scored a stunning left to the head. Farr landed a left to the head and Jim scored a hard right to the chin. They fought savagely in the center of the ring, each landing several lefts and rights to the face. The crowd was in an uproar urging Braddock on. Farr landed light left and right body blows. Braddock landed a jolting right to the face. Farr seemed worried. Jim tore in with a left to the jaw and followed with a hard overhand smash to the head. Braddock was fighting savagely now but Farr proved a willing mixer. Braddock scored with a right to the face and a left to the face. It was Braddock’s round.
Gangbusters
A few weeks before the Tommy Farr fight, Jim Braddock took some time off to appear on the radio program Gangbusters, where he narrated The Case of the Jersey Butcher Bandits on January 1, 1938.
Photos
James J. Braddock — Lower left: Jim Braddock’s 1st Round knockdown of Joe Louis
James Braddock, Prize Ring’s ‘Cinderella Man,’ Announces Retirement from Fight Game
Camden Courier-Post —
Here is the main reason why James J. Braddock, former world’s heavyweight champion, retired from the sport. Shown at left are his children, Rose Marie, Howard, in rear, and James Jr., with Braddock and wife Mae.
Former World’s Heavyweight Champion Makes Unexpected Decision After Advice From Manager Gould; Recently Made Comeback by Beating Tommy Farr
WILL ENTER BUSINESS VENTURE WITH PILOT
By LESLIE AVERY
New York, Jan. 31 (UP)—The prize ring’s Cinderella-man, James J. Braddock, 32-year-old ex-heavyweight champion of the world, unexpectedly announced his retirement from boxing yesterday.
Braddock, who in a “rags-to-riches” role, wrote one of the sport’s most romantic chapters when he beat Maxie Baer for the title in 1935, staged his first comeback success last week over Tommy Farr and would have been expected to sign for a return match with the rugged Welshman almost any day.
“I am retiring from the ring,” the likable Jersey Irishman said yesterday. “I have won my last fight and I think I could still beat most of the outstanding contenders for the heavyweight championship, but I am 32 and I have 15 years in the game and, in fairness to everyone, but especially to my wife and children, I believe it is time for me to withdraw.”
Well-Fixed Financially
Although Braddock is well-fixed financially, having collected nearly $300,000 for letting Louis knock him out in the eighth round of their fight in Chicago June 22, he will remain associated with his manager, Joe Gould, in the management of other boxers. He will also enter some other business venture which they did not care to reveal at the present time.
“This decision was not easily reached,” Braddock said, “but in making it I had the support of Joe Gould, my manager and friend. I take this opportunity to thank those who have been so thoughtful of my career through the years in the right fights, without whose support I could not have succeeded, the boxing commissions of New York and other States, and the newspapers.
“My retirement from the ring does not mean the end of my professional association with Joe Gould. I will continue to aid him in his career in the management of other boxers, and he and I will engage in another business enterprise, the plans for which will be announced shortly.”
Was in Line for $50,000 Bout
“This is my farewell to boxing, sport which owes me nothing and to which I owe everything—the many friends I have made, and the means with which I have been able to provide for my family.”
Braddock’s surprising upset over Farr last week, put him in line for a $50,000 bout for a comeback against Maxie Baer, or giving Farr a return match. His manager, Joe Gould, had been negotiating with Promoter Mike Jacobs for a week, and another Farr bout was considered as good as signed.
Named James Jay for the immortal James J. Jeffries, Braddock was born June 7, 1906, tipping the beam at 17 pounds when he first saw the light of day.
He was a natural born scrapper and was quick to double up his fists as he went through the stages of being a messenger boy and a printer. He fought his first preliminary bout at the age of 16. His association with Gould started in 1925 and they have been inseparable since.
Started Out Victorious
For three years Braddock bowled over nearly every man he met. He was a tremendous drawing card both in his native Jersey City and New York. After kayoing his first four opponents in 1929, he ran up four straight decisions. He dropped three more in 1930, and won only two of seven starts the following year. He was up and down, up and down for the next two years. A prosperous taxicab business had failed, and his bank stock investments went to zero in the market crash. A broken hand kept him out of the ring most of 1934, and he took a job as longshoreman, carting railroad ties. Work became increasingly more uncertain. Sometimes he worked one day a week. Others none. He was forced on relief rolls—$24 a month to feed four mouths. Scarcity of opponents for Corn Griffin gave him a chance to get back in the ring. He had grown bigger and stronger with dock-walloping, and knocked out the highly favored Griffith in his only match that year. He received $250.
Gould got him a match with the sensational Negro John Henry Lewis. A decisive win over Lewis was good for a $700 purse. Gould didn’t rest until he matched Braddock with Art Lasky, who then was considered a leading contender for Max Baer’s title. Few thought Braddock could last 15 rounds with this boy, but he gave Lasky the worst beating of his life.
Upset Maxie Baer
Besides the $4100 in purses, Jim has the satisfaction of being named No. 1 challenger by the New York State Athletic Commission. The first thing he did was pay off his relief roster debt. He was hardly given a chance against Baer when they stepped into the ring June 13, 1935 in the Garden Long Island Bowl, but he trained religiously, and amazed the boxing world with a 15-round victory over Maxie Baer. He then won it all again until he lost the title to Joe Louis last June. Gould successfully maneuvered Max Schmeling out of the picture on two occasions. After the Louis defeat, Gould said Braddock was through, and began prepping him for a comeback attempt.
Reveling in his continuous role of underdog, Braddock again surprised the crowd by defeating Farr in a close 10-round decision. The triumph, however, was regarded as a “sentimental” decision even by Mike Jacobs. Jim’s spirited rally in the last two rounds gave him only the slightest of margins. Those who saw the fight knew they could not carry him through many more such battles, and even his most ardent admirers, will be glad when they hear of his retirement with the cheers of victory still ringing in his ears.
Fight Record
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Rds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | ||||
| Apr 14 | Al Settle | West Hoboken, NJ | ND | 4 |
| Apr 22 | George Deschner | Ridgefield Park, NJ | KO | 2 |
| May | Phil Weisberger | KO | 1 | |
| May | Jack O’Day | KO | 1 | |
| May | Willie Daily | Wilkes-Barre, Pa | KO | 1 |
| Jun 18 | Leo Dobson | Jersey City, NJ | KO | 1 |
| Jul 9 | Walter Westman | Jersey City, NJ | TK | 3 |
| Aug | Jim Pearson | KO | 2 | |
| Aug | Gene Travers | KO | 1 | |
| Sep 13 | Mike Rock | Jersey City, NJ | KO | 1 |
| Sep 16 | Ray Kennedy | West New York, NJ | KO | 1 |
| Sep 30 | Carmine Caggiano | West New York, NJ | KO | 1 |
| Nov 12 | Lou Barba | New York, NY | W | 6 |
| Dec 4 | Al Settle | New York, NY | W | 6 |
| Dec 8 | Joe Hudson | New York, NY | W | 6 |
| Dec 20 | Doc Conrad | Jersey City, NJ | ND | 4 |
| 1927 | ||||
| Jan 28 | George LaRocco | New York, NY | KO | 1 |
| Feb 1 | Johnny Alberts | Wilkes-Barre, Pa | KO | 4 |
| Feb 15 | Jack Nelson | Wilkes-Barre, Pa | W | 6 |
| Mar 3 | Lou Barba | New York, NY | W | 4 |
| Mar 8 | Nick Fadil | New York, NY | W | 6 |
| Weights: 166¾–177 | ||||
| Mar | Tom McKiernan | KO | 2 | |
| Apr 19 | Frankie Lennon | Wilkes-Barre, Pa | KO | 3 |
| May 2 | Stanley Simmons | Jersey City, NJ | TK | 1 |
| Weights: 170–180 | ||||
| May 11 | Jack Stone | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| May 20 | George LaRocco | New York, NY | D | 6 |
| May 27 | Paul Cavalier | Arcola Park, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Jun 8 | Jimmy Francis | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Weights: 168–169 | ||||
| Jul 13 | Jimmy Francis | Union City, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Jul 21 | George LaRocco | New York, NY | W | 6 |
| Weights: 165½–179 | ||||
| Aug 10 | Vic McLaughlin | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Sep 21 | Herman Heller | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Oct 5 | Joe Monte | New York, NY | D | 10 |
| 1928 | ||||
| Jan 6 | Paul Swiderski | New York, NY | W | 8 |
| May 7 | Jack Darnell | Jersey City, NJ | KO | 4 |
| May 16 | Jimmy Francis | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Jun 7 | Joe Monte | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Jun 27 | Billy Vidabeck | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Jul 25 | Nando Tassi | New York, NY | D | 10 |
| Aug 8 | Joe Sekyra | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Oct 17 | Pete Latzo | Newark, NJ | W | 10 |
| Nov 30 | Gerald “Tuffy” Griffith | New York, NY | KO | 2 |
| 1929 | ||||
| Jan 18 | Leo Lomski | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Feb 4 | George Gemas | Newark, NJ | KO | 1 |
| Mar 11 | Jimmy Slattery | New York, NY | TK | 9 |
| Weights: 173¼–168½ | ||||
| Apr 22 | Eddie Benson | Buffalo, NY | KO | 1 |
| Weights: 174–171½ | ||||
| Jul 18 | Tommy Loughran | New York, NY | L | 15 |
| Light Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 170–174 | ||||
| Aug 27 | Yale Okun | Los Angeles, Ca | L | 10 |
| Nov 15 | Maxie Rosenbloom | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Dec 7 | Jack “Jake” Warren | Brooklyn, NY | KO | 2 |
| 1930 | ||||
| Jan 17 | Leo Lomski | Chicago, Il | L | 10 |
| Apr 7 | Billy Jones | Philadelphia, Pa | L | 10 |
| Jun 5 | Harold Mays | West New York, NJ | ND | 10 |
| Jul 2 | Joe Monte | Boston, Ma | W | 10 |
| Aug 12 | Alvin “Babe” Hunt | Boston, Ma | L | 10 |
| Sep 19 | Phil Mercurio | Boston, Ma | KO | 2 |
| 1931 | ||||
| Jan 23 | Ernie Schaaf | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Mar 5 | Jack Roper | Miami, Fl | KO | 1 |
| Mar 30 | Jack Kelly | New Haven, Ct | W | 10 |
| Sep 3 | Andy Mitchell | Detroit, Mi | D | 10 |
| Oct 9 | Joe Sekyra | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Nov 10 | Maxie Rosenbloom | Minneapolis, Mn | NC | 2 |
| Dec 4 | Al Gainer | New Haven, Ct | L | 10 |
| 1932 | ||||
| Mar 18 | Baxter Calmes | Chicago, Il | L | 10 |
| May 13 | Charley Retzlaff | Boston, Ma | L | 10 |
| Weights: 181–195 | ||||
| Jun 21 | Vincent Parille | New York, NY | W | 5 |
| Jul 25 | Tony Shucco | New York, NY | L | 8 |
| Sep 21 | John Henry Lewis | San Francisco, Ca | L | 10 |
| Sep 30 | Dynamite Jackson | San Diego, Ca | W | 10 |
| Oct 21 | Tom Patrick | Hollywood, Ca | L | 10 |
| Nov 9 | Lou Scozza | San Francisco, Ca | LT | 6 |
| Braddock suffered a cut eye | ||||
| 1933 | ||||
| Jan 13 | Martin Levandowski | Chicago, Il | W | 10 |
| Jan 20 | Hans Birkie | New York, NY | L | 10 |
| Weights: 181½–200 | ||||
| Mar 1 | Al Ettore | Philadelphia, Pa | LF | 4 |
| Mar 21 | Al Stillman | St. Louis, Mo | TK | 10 |
| Apr 5 | Martin Levandowski | St. Louis, Mo | L | 10 |
| May 19 | Al Stillman | St. Louis, Mo | L | 10 |
| Jun 21 | Les Kennedy | Jersey City, NJ | W | 10 |
| Jul 21 | Chester Matan | West New York, NJ | W | 10 |
| Sep 25 | Abe Feldman | Mount Vernon, NY | NC | 6 |
| 1934 | ||||
| Jun 14 | John “Corn” Griffin | New York, NY | TK (2:37) | 3 |
| Nov 16 | John Henry Lewis | New York, NY | W | 10 |
| 1935 | ||||
| Mar 22 | Art Lasky | New York, NY | W | 15 |
| Jun 13 | Max Baer | Long Island City, NY | W | 15 |
| Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 193¾–209½ | ||||
| Jul 18 | Jack McCarthy | Columbus, Oh | EX | 3 |
| Aug 27 | Jack McCarthy | Houston, Tx | EX | 3 |
| Nov 5 | Jack McCarthy | Seattle, Wa | EX | 3 |
| Nov 12 | Jack McCarthy | Portland, Or | EX | 2 |
| Nov 15 | Jack McCarthy | San Francisco, Ca | EX | 3 |
| Nov 20 | Jack McCarthy | Oakland, Ca | EX | 3 |
| 1936 | ||||
| Sep 30 | Max Schmeling | MSG, NY | SCH | |
| Fight scheduled but cancelled due to hand injury suffered by Braddock | ||||
| Dec 12 — New York State Athletic Commission rules, after a hearing: “The Commission forbids Braddock from engaging in a bout of any length whatsoever against Joe Louis before he defends his title against Schmeling.” | ||||
| 1937 | ||||
| Feb | Signs to meet Joe Louis | |||
| Jun 3 | Max Schmeling | MSG, NY | SCH | |
| Braddock chose to fight Louis instead | ||||
| Jun 10 — Madison Square Garden denied request for an injunction to prevent the Louis-Braddock fight. | ||||
| Jun 22 | Joe Louis | Chicago, Il | LK (1:10) | 8 |
| Heavyweight Championship of the World; Weights: 197–197¼ | ||||
| 1938 | ||||
| Jan 21 | Tommy Farr | New York, NY | W | 10 |
| Weights: 199½–207 | ||||
| 1941 | ||||
| Mar 26 | Clarence “Red” Burman | Charlotte, NC | EX | 5 |
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Camden Courier-Post —
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts are exhibition matches as most of the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in active harness in heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight but who retired two years ago, hold the feature spot on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in the eighth and final round of a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling in around 185, while Allen weighed around 160. Although Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first round, a left hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting at this bout, but still is in good physical shape and should be able to box a fast three rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who made names for themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest fights in New York in the past two years, while Mickey was of [sic] the best featherweights in the East about eight years ago.
Tommy Ricco, another South Camden featherweight, and Mickey and Johnny Duca, both of Paulsboro, are the other three boys who are active in the game. Ricco is due to appear against Mickey Duca, while Johnny Duca squares off against Al White, also of Paulsboro.
The veteran of the card is Battling Mack, one of the finest characters ever to enter the fight game. Mack fought the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War. George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Johnny Buff, Danny Kramer and Pete Herman were some of the boys Balling [sic] met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another South Camdenite who was a favorite with Camden fight addicts.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local reisdents [sic], are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the great crop of local lightweights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus MaGuire, Charley Mack, White, Lew Jackson, Paddy Lyons, Joe Spearing, and Johnny Attell were included among the group which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor in tomorrow night’s bouts. Jackson mingles with Lyons; Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who also fought the best featherweights in the East a few short years ago, and Attell clashes with Billy Marino.
Young Firpo, of Pennsgrove, is known to all South Jersey fightgoers. Firpo, a lightweight, packed a great left hook and his record is dotted with knockouts. He will take on Joey Allen, South Camden featherweight who never fought a slow bout and who never side-stepped a match.
Pee Wee Ross undoubtedly was the best bantamweight ever developed in this city. Ross fought ’em all 10 years ago and finished with a great record. He meets Bobby Zimmerman, another local product who also was a pleasing performer and who was known as the “buzz saw” because of his rapid-fire punching.
Nick Nichols, one of the hardest-hitting welterweights ever to hold forth here, takes on Tommy McCann, East Camdenite who had one of the best left hands in the city.
Lucas Vs. Straiges
Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight who still could go to the wars, faces Joey Straiges, also of South Camden, who also could compete in featherweight ranks if it were necessary for him to continue boxing. In the other bout on the card, Young Palmer and Tommy Dundee, former featherweights, clash.
Jim Braddock, former world heavyweight champion, is expected to be on hand to referee at least one bout. Others invited to referee are:
Sgt. Ray Smith, Harry Shaw, Tom Walters, Al Ettore, Joey O’Donnell, Mike DeLeece, Young Lawrence, Charley Harris, Bill McFarlane and Walter “West” Kennedy.
The committee in charge of the boxing arrangements consists of Caesar Campana, chairman, Dominic Lombardo, Daniel Gallasso, James McSparrin and Paul Daly.
Nearly 4000 Witness Old-Timers in Action
Camden Courier-Post —
Past and Present South Jersey Boxers Go Through Paces in Charity Show
NO DECISIONS RENDERED
By FRANK KOPESKY
They turned back the sporting pages last night, month after month, year after year.
And out of the staring type and paling newsprint stepped the images of youths who in their bygone day had their names blazed across the headlines for their prowess in the boxing ring.
With nearly 4000 in attendance, these old-timers and some who still are or could be active engaged in a program of exhibition bouts at Convention Hall to aid the poor this Christmas.
The affair was sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden.
Braddock Gets Big Hand
The feature attraction and a man who received a thunderous ovation from the gathering was popular James J. Braddock, former heavyweight champion of the world, who refereed the final two bouts.
Roxie Allen, of Camden, and Jersey Joe Walcott, Merchantville slugger who still is active, paired off in the windup with Braddock serving as referee.
They boxed lightly most of the way with neither connecting with any serious blows and the spectators were handed a few laughs when both boxers “picked on” Braddock in the last round.
Braddock Gets Hand
Braddock was given a great ovation when he entered the ring to referee the bout between Frankie and Mickey Blair.
Strangely the well-known brothers fought one of the hardest bouts of the night. Frankie, one of the best boxers Camden has ever produced, tagged his older brother with several stiff lefts in the first round. Mickey also got in his share of hard blows, although Frankie was the better of the two.
Lou Skymer and Battling Mack, of South Camden, continued fighting after their three-rounder ended. So Referee Joey O’Donnell scurried from the ring. Skymer had the best of the fight.
Spearing and Rapp Even
Joe Spearing and Frankie Rapp, both from South Camden, boxed lightly for three rounds on about even terms.
Johnny Lucas, of Whitman Park, who did considerably campaigning several years ago, and Joey Straiges, active South Camden lightweight, went through three fast rounds. Straiges had the better of the exhibition.
Young Joe Firpo, of Pennsgrove, and Joey Allen, of Camden, who retired from the ring not so long ago, fought a hard fight in the first round. Allen knocked himself down in the second round when he socked Referee Ray Smith in the stomach. They both pummeled the Sargeant [sic] after the final bell and the bout got a great hand.
Comedy Bout
The spectators sang the “Beer Barrel Polka” when Buck Fleming of the Veteran Boxing Association entered the ring. Bricks and horseshoes were dumped out of Fleming’s gloves before his bout with Joe Shannon, another V. B. A. entrant, began.
It was the comedy bout of the night, meant as such, and the fans went into near hysterics.
Tommy Ricco, active South Camden lightweight, and Al Daly, of Fairview, staged a clever boxing exhibition. Although neither landed any telling blows, the fast bout was a crowd pleaser. Ricco had the best of it.
The parade of overgrown lightweights continued when Eddie Chaney, of Whitman Park, squared off with Jackie Hindle, of South Camden. These two also got “mad” at each other in the third round and Hindle seemed to have the better of it.
Ceaser [sic] Campana, chairman of the committee, who fought as Young O’Connors years ago, paired off with Charley Mack, well known lightweight of a decade ago. After two slow rounds, they really started slugging and the bell halted a furious exchange.
Lyons’ Wind Gives Out
Kayo Palmer, of Camden, and Pat Lyons, of Gloucester, got along for two rounds, but Lyons asked for a short third session when his wind gave out. Timekeeper Dave Lambert cut the round to 30 seconds. Palmer dropped Referee Young Lawrence, who was saved by the bell.
A howl went up from the throng when Announcer Archie McNew introduced Lou Jackson, of Pennsgrove, and Al White, of Paulsboro, as former lightweights. Both massive weight lines and looked like heavyweight wrestlers. They went three rounds and received a great hand for their efforts. Jackson appeared to have the better of it.
Employing several body slams and a flying tackle to good advantage, Young Palmer bested Tommy Dundee in three rounds. Both are former local bantamweights.
Pee-Wee Ross and Bobby Zimmerman, a pair of excellent flyweights in their day, opened the show. They knocked each other “out” in the second round, Referee Joe Mangold counting 10 over the fallen pair. After rising the two Camden men resumed “fighting” much to the crowd’s amusement.
Links
James J. Braddock — The Official Website
James J. Braddock — New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame