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

[Bill Paxtom]

Predictions {Chicago tribune Sports Writers}

Harold Conrad >
"This Louis fellow. He's like a 'Tan Tarzan'. He's both muscular and flexible.
Now the Champion {James Braddock} is no softy, but he is going to get
knocked out. I have to go with what the consensus says, Joe Louis by
a Knockout. {KO in 8}."

Arch Ward >
"Joe Louis by Knockout. Within 6-Rounds. If it goes longer, I will eat my hat."

Frank Lane >
"James Braddock by a Knockout in 8. I'm not all that excited about this man they
call 'The Brown Bomber'. He's on the slow side, and he's too mechanical. The
Champion {James Braddock} will set him up, and catch him coming in with a
right-hand to the chops and stop him."

Wilfrid Smith >
"I know that Braddock is superbly conditioned. But this kid {Joe Louis} throws
punches like a 'Cannon' going off. He's just too powerful. The Challenger by a
Knockout in 6."

Red Garrett >
"If Joe Louis loses, then he must be the 'most overrated' fighter ever. The Champion
{James Braddock} is a quality fighter, but he really is 'untested' at Heavyweight. Oh,
he will give a good account of himself for as long-as-it-lasts. But the Challenger has
too much ammunition. I'm confident that Joe Louis will win by a stoppage. It will
go no longer than 9-Rounds. I can see Braddock's corner throwing in the towel."

[Master]

Braddock had a deal where he took a percentage of Joe's title defences, which was a good move if what unethical.

[Bill Paxtom]

Braddock had a deal where he took a percentage of Joe's title defences, which was a good move if what unethical.

That Is Correct,

World Champion - James Braddock and Manager - Joe Gould.

Joe Gould {Manager} inked a great deal for James Braddock.

[Master]

That deal is as good as a dive. Disgraceful.

[Bill Paxtom]

That deal is as good as a dive. Disgraceful.

~ The Skinny ~

James Braddock didn't hit the 'Lottery Wheel', but what he got from Joe Louis' future take.

* 10% of his Fight Purse per Year for 10-Years {1937 thru 1946}.
* But, no more than $15,000 per Year.

All in all, James Braddock got another $150,000 over 10-years.

But, Braddock had to give his Manager 30% off that.

Plus Braddock had to pay 'Taxes' on that 'pay out' as Income.

Joe Gould {Manager for James Baddock} 'snuffed' Julian Black {Manager for Joe Louis}
in what Sean Connery called it ......."That's the Chicago Way"

[Bill Paxtom]

~ More Skinny ~

Part I

On February 4, 1937

Joe Gould {Manager for James Braddock} nearly signed a deal for his fighter
to defend against Max Schmeling on June 3, 1937 at Madison Square Garden.

But the concern was, that the early Gate Receipt 'estimates' were only around
$250,000.

Also, the Joe Louis Camp was worried that 'if' Max Schmeling won, he would
take the World Championship back to Germany, and hold it in 'protective custody'
for 2-Years {until 1939}.

There was also concern, that the World Championship would be used as 'a vehicle'
for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Propaganda Machine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II

The Joe Louis Camp was willing to 'play-ball' to get 'The Brown Bomber' a Title
chance first, and before Max Schmeling could steal it away from James Braddock
and bring it back to Germany.

On February 19, 1937 >

Chicago Fight Promoter - Joe Folley put together an incredible deal for the World
Champion - James Braddock.

First > The bout would be held at Comiskey Park in Chicago on June 22, 1937.

Second > The estimated Gate Receipts would be close to $1,000,000.

Third > James Braddock was to receive {67 1/2 %} of the Gate Receipts, and
with a 'minimum guarantee' of $500,000.

Fourth > James Braddock would receive 50% of the Motion Picture rights, and
Broadcasting rights.

Fifth > James Braddock would receive 10% of Joe Louis' future purses for the
next 10-Years. {Capped at $15,000 per Year}.

[Bill Paxtom]

James Braddock

'1937' Sparring Partners
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Jack McCarthy ~ {Age; 27} ~ 6' 4" ~ 202 lbs. ~ {Roxbury, Massachusetts}
* Record > 16-14-2 {8 KO's}

Jack was a long-time friend of James Braddock. McCarthy was a durable-type who
was a good gym sparring partner. Labeled as a 'real tough-guy'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Max 'Maxie' Roesch ~ {Age; 23} ~ 6' 4" ~ 195 lbs. ~ {Dallas, Texas}
* Record > 9-3-1 {6 KO's}

'Maxie' was a speed-boxer, who had good footwork and decent power. He was brought
in to 'primarily' help with Braddock's speed and timing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Charlie Massera~ {Age; 27} ~ 6' 2" ~ 190 lbs. ~ {Upper Darby, Pennsylvania}
* Record > 35-17-5 {11 KO's}

Charlie was brought in to pretty much be a 'punching bag', to give James Braddock
'Rounds-in-the-Ring' to work off the rust.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Henry Cooper ~ {Age; 20} ~ 6' 1' ~ 185 lbs. ~ {Brooklyn, New York}
* Record > 15-6-1 {4 KO's}

Henry was brought in because he had a good looping right-hand, much like the
Challenger - Joe Louis. Henry was a young kid, who was a decent boxer with good
hand-speed. Though, he had little power.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Bill Irby ~ {Age; 21} ~ 6' 0" ~ 180 lbs. ~ {Brooklyn, New York}
* Record > 0-7-1 {0 KO's}

Bill Irby was brought in to be nothing more than a body, to give James Braddock rounds.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ More Skinny ~

Part I

On February 4, 1937

Joe Gould {Manager for James Braddock} nearly signed a deal for his fighter
to defend against Max Schmeling on June 3, 1937 at Madison Square Garden.

But the concern was, that the early Gate Receipt 'estimates' were only around
$250,000.

Also, the Joe Louis Camp was worried that 'if' Max Schmeling won, he would
take the World Championship back to Germany, and hold it in 'protective custody'
for 2-Years {until 1939}.

There was also concern, that the World Championship would be used as 'a vehicle'
for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Propaganda Machine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II

The Joe Louis Camp was willing to 'play-ball' to get 'The Brown Bomber' a Title
chance first, and before Max Schmeling could steal it away from James Braddock
and bring it back to Germany.

On February 19, 1937 >

Chicago Fight Promoter - Joe Folley put together an incredible deal for the World
Champion - James Braddock.

First > The bout would be held at Comiskey Park in Chicago on June 22, 1937.

Second > The estimated Gate Receipts would be close to $1,000,000.

Third > James Braddock was to receive {67 1/2 %} of the Gate Receipts, and
with a 'minimum guarantee' of $500,000.

Fourth > James Braddock would receive 50% of the Motion Picture rights, and
Broadcasting rights.

Fifth > James Braddock would receive 10% of Joe Louis' future purses for the
next 10-Years. {Capped at $15,000 per Year}.

~ The Contract ~

[Beanflicker]

Braddock had a deal where he took a percentage of Joe's title defences, which was a good move if what unethical.

What the fuck? No wonder Joe Louis went bankrupt so quick. He possibly had the worst management in boxing history.

[Beanflicker]

I'm surprised Mayweather hasn't put a clause like that into his contracts.

[Bill Paxtom]

Braddock had a deal where he took a percentage of Joe's title defences, which was a good move if what unethical.

What the fuck? No wonder Joe Louis went bankrupt so quick. He possibly had the worst management in boxing history.

Joe Louis with Manager > Julian Black

Julian Black a former 'Numbers Runner' and 'Card Shark' from Chicago, signed Joe Louis
to a 10-Year Contract in 1934.

Julian Black received 25% of everything that Joe Louis 'made'.

[mrbig1]

I like James Braddock, but he did lose 24 times in his career. Louis did say that Braddock was the gamest fighter he ever fought.

[Bill Paxtom]

I like James Braddock, but he did lose 24 times in his career. Louis did say that Braddock was the gamest fighter he ever fought.

In late-1933,

James Braddock was considered 'washed up' at {Age; 28} with a record > 39-23-4.

His Manager {Joe Gould} couldn't even get him fights anymore, even while 'begging'
for scraps {$250 to $300} per bout.

Braddock had a 'problematic' right-hand that he fractured several times. And his left-arm
had developed the early stages of 'arthritis', preventing Braddock from fully extending his arm.

He was a true Second-Rate 'Ham-N-Egger'.

The only thing he had going, was that he was 'tough' and could take a good beating.

[Master]

That photo of Joe Louis looks cool playing cards.