James Braddock vs. Joe Louis ~ June 22, 1937 ~ 'The Skinny'

[Bill Paxtom]

June 22, 1937

World Heavyweight Championship

Champion - James Braddock vs. Challenger - Joe Louis

~ The Skinny ~

James J. Braddock
Age ........... 32 years, 0 months
Height ....... 6' 2 1/2"
Reach ....... 75 1/2"
Weight....... 197 lbs.
Record....... 45-23-4 {26 KO's}
Stance ...... Orthodox
Style ......... Boxer/Counter-Puncher

* Braddock has gone unbeaten in his last '7-Bouts' {6-0-0} {with 1 'No Contest'} over the past 4-years.
* Braddock last 'lost' in June 1933.
* Braddock won the Championship on June 13, 1935.
* Braddock has not fought in 2-Years.

* As the World Champion, James Braddock opened up as a {3 1/2 to 1} {Betting-Underdog}.
* Heavy money was coming in on James Braddock late.
* By fight time, the odds had dropped to {2 to 1} with the Champion as the Underdog.

* Both former World Champions - Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney felt that Braddock
was both the 'smarter' and more refined boxer, and looked to be in better physical shape.

* Braddock had looked great in sparring sessions, and looked to be in 'tip-top' shape.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ June 14, 1937

Grand Beach, Michigan

~ The Braddock Camp Talks Strategy ~

Sparring Partner - Jack McCarthy
Trainer - Doc Robb
Manager - Joe Gould
World Champion - James Braddock {by the Fireplace}

http://www.jamesjbraddock.com/images/braddock.gif

James Braddock has '4' sparring partners to work with;
* Henry Cooper
* Max Roesch
* Charles Massera
* Jack McCarthy

The food is prepared by Chef - Egon Bauer, and the Server - Peter Muck.

In the month of June {13-Days}, the 'Braddock Camp' has consumed
'65 Steaks', to go along with massive quantities of Orange Juice.

The Champion is working on 'defense' {blocking the left-hook}, as well as
working on delivering a quick right-hand counter.

Jack Kearns >
"There is nothing new that I haven't seen before. The Champion is a fine
technician, but he just does not have the strength to deal with Joe Louis."

"I'm sticking with my earlier prediction, of 'Louis by a Knockout'. I'm thinking
somewhere in Rounds 6, 7 or 8."

"Braddock can still be hit with a long right-hand, and that should scare both
his Manager and Trainer."

[Beanflicker]

I saw Cinderella Man, Braddock had the bone density in his hands of a 90 year old woman.

Just another bum Joe Louis rolled over in his career of flattening bums. Joe Louis took out more bums than a street sweeper.

[Bill Paxtom]

I saw Cinderella Man, Braddock had the bone density in his hands of a 90 year old woman.

Just another bum Joe Louis rolled over in his career of flattening bums. Joe Louis took out more bums than a street sweeper.

"Ouch Mr. Bean"

James J. Braddock

By July 1929 >

James Braddock {Age; 24 years, 0 months} had posted a record of 30-3-3 with {21 KO's},
while moving into the #1 Challenger position for the World Light-Heavyweight
Championship.

After losing {L Dec 15} to Champion - Tommy Loughran on July 18, 1929 for the World
Light Heavyweight Championship >

James Braddock went into a 'tail-spin'.

From that point on, Braddock went a 'pathetic' 9-20-1 with only {4 KO's} in his next
'30-Bouts' over a 4-Year period.

By June 1933 >

James Braddock wasn't even called a 'Trial-Horse' anymore. The {Age; 28 year-old}
former Light-Heavyweight Title Challenger was now labeled as 'a taker and absorber',
and was pretty much written off as 'a bum' with a record of 39-23-4.

The only thing that Braddock had going for himself, was that he was 'durable' and only
had been floored 'twice' in '67-Bouts', and the only time he was stopped, was because
of a cut-eye.

[Beanflicker]

He was a tough guy who could take a punch. So was Joe Grim. Those guys are a dime a dozen!

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Predictions ~

Jack Dempsey >
"I have to go with Braddock. He has more boxing ability, and he has the
experience. He'll box, and let Louis punch away and wear himself down.
I can see Braddock coming on down the stretch to win a 'close' Decision."

Gene Tunney >
"I have changed my mind. Louis has too much punching-power. He's both
young and strong. I'm not sure that the Champion {James Braddock} can
hold him back. I'll take the Challenger by a Knockout, most likely by
Round 10."

Max Baer >
"Braddock is a tricky sort, and he's tough as nails. But that Louis, boy can
he punch. If he traps Jimmy, it will be all over. I like both fellows, so I will
not pick a winner."

The Odds >

Bounced back and forth, going from {5 to 2}, all the way up to {4 to 1}
before fight time.