James Braddock vs. John Henry Lewis ~ "The Worst Decision Ever At MSG'

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ November 16, 1934

Madison Square Garden ~ New York City, New York

'Main Event' ~ World Light-Heavyweight Championship ~ Champion *Maxie Rosenbloom vs. Challenger *Bob Olin
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'Main Undercard' ~ James Braddock vs. John Henry Lewis

Boxer ..........James Braddock ...................... John Henry Lewis
Age ............ 29 years, 5 months ................. 20 years, 6 months
Height ........ 6' 2 1/2" ................................. 5' 11"
Reach ........ 76" ......................................... 75 1/2"
Weight ...... 187 lbs. ................................... 176 lbs.
Record ....... 42-23-4 {26 KO's} ................... 34-2-3 {23 KO's}
Rank .......... #14 Light-Heavyweight ........... #2 Light-Heavyweight

~ The Skinny ~

John Henry Lewis, the 'super-talented' and #2 World-Rated Light-Heavyweight was 'heavily favored' over
former World Light-Heavyweight Title Challenger, James Braddock.

The odds were posted at {4-1} for John Henry, as Braddock was still nursing a 'bad' right-hand.

~ The Brooklyn Daily Eagle ~
If James Braddock comes into the Ring with a 'sore' and {out-of-use} right-hand, he will be out-gunned
by the fast-handed John Henry Lewis.

A 'one-armed' Braddock, with an average left-hand {on a good night}, will be out-sped early, and out-fought
late by this slick {20 1/2 year-old} Phoenix-Flash.

Braddock's only hope will be to 'tag' John Henry early, with one of his right-crosses. But, this kid has
never been floored, and has never shown a time in the Ring where he was 'out-of-sorts'.

Braddock will have an advantage in experience, height, reach and punching-power. But, he falls way
short in hand-speed and footwork. Also, Braddock is a 'one-punch-at-time' fighter, while John Henry
throws 'punches-in-bunches', and works the body as well.

The only 'smart betting-man edge' here, is that Braddock {from New Jersey} will have the hometown area
on his side, as this is John Henry's '1st-Bout' in New York.