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

Attendance ........ 8000

'Sour Decision' - Braddock Given Verdict Over John Henry Lewis ~

~ Decision Given To James Braddock Was A Poor One ~

Veteran James Braddock was given an 'undeserved' 10-Round Decision over talented
Phoenix Light-Heavyweight - John Henry Lewis.

The bout was all action with hard-punching, as John Lewis displayed faster hands and
better boxing tonight, over a slow but tenacious and hard-hitter in James Braddock.

The 'fast-handed' Lewis giving up weight, height and reach > had little problem tagging
the 'slow-footed' Braddock over the first 4-Rounds, as he peppered the veteran with an
assortment of left-jabs to the chest, and quick combinations to the lower-body {mid-section}.

But, Referee - Arthur Donovan penalized John Henry {1-Point} in Round 4, for hitting
both 'low', and after a 'break'.

As Braddock plodded forward, the quick-footed younger boxer fired away with punches,
then easily side-stepped Braddock's right-hand counters over the early going.

But Braddock kept coming forward, and in Round 5 he caught Lewis coming in with
right-hand crosses, and by the Rounds end, Lewis was a bit 'groggy' after taking '2'
solid right-hands to the jaw 'late' in the Round.

In Round 6, Braddock took advantage of his previous Rounds success, and went after his
younger opponent with heavy-punches to the head and hooks to the body.

Just past the {1:45 Mark}, Braddock 'nailed' Lewis with a right-hand cross to the head that
had the Phoenix fighter 'stiff-legged'. Braddock then came 'charging', and unleashed with a
barrage to the head and 'deposited' Lewis on the canvas.

Lewis 'struggled' to get up, and made it to his feet at the '8-Count' as Referee - Arthur Donovan
tolled off the count. Braddock came back in swinging, and had Lewis 'staggering' and nearly out,
but the younger fighter grabbed-and-held his arms around Braddock's waist.

As Braddock tried to break loose, John Henry continued to grab. Lewis was able to ride out the
storm as Braddock unleashed a series of punches until the Bell.

Referee - Arthur Donovan also penalized John Henry {1-Point} in Round 6, for excessive holding.

In Round 7, Braddock tried to put across the 'finisher', but mid-way thru the session the veteran
was 'arm-weary' and could not put his punches together. Instead, he could only deliver a 'single-punch'
at a time.

By the end of Round 7, John Henry put forth a short-rally. But 'one' of his punches strayed low, and he
penalized another {1-Point} by Referee - Arthur Donovan.

But over the last 3-Rounds {8, 9 and 10}, saw John Henry out-speed Braddock with fast left-jabs and quick
one-two's, before darting back outside.

Braddock continued to 'plod' forward, and was the heavier-puncher, but he was only throwing single-punches
at a time {left-hooks to the body} and/or {right-crosses upstairs}.

Scorecards
* Referee - Arthur Donovan .... {3-2-5 in Rounds} > James Braddock
* Judge -Harold Barnes .......... {4-3-3 in Rounds} > James Braddock
* Judge - Charley Lynch ......... {3-2-5 in Rounds} > James Braddock

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle {Frank Reil} >
"This was the 'worst' Decision ever at Madison Square Garden. John Henry Lewis, despite being {penalized 3-Points}
still won the Decision, clearly."

"John Henry was faster and the better boxer here tonight. James Braddock was the harder hitter, but he was weary
by the 7th Round and had little left. John Henry was the 'cleaner puncher' over the last 3-Rounds, and won by
2-Points on my Scorecard, including the {3-Point} deductions for fouls."