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

[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]

Joe Louis

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

* Roy Lazer ~ {Age; 25} ~ 6' 1" ~ 190 lbs. ~ {Paterson, New Jersey}
* Record > 45-7-3 {19 KO's}

Strictly a boxer/mover, and also a good counter-puncher. Brought in to help with
Joe's footwork.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George Williams ~ {Age; 22} ~ 6' 5" ~ 220 lbs. ~ {Chicago, Illinois}
* Record > 5-0-0 {3 KO's}

Called 'The Giant Negro'. A big, young and strapping prospect. Strictly used as a mauler,
to help Joe with stamina and endurance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tiger Hairston ~ {Age; 24} ~ 6' 1" ~ 180 lbs. ~ {Wheeling, West Virginia}
Record > 22-4-2 {12 KO's}

A good boxer/puncher, who had quick hands and slick footwork. He was used to help
Joe in 'Cutting-off-the-Ring', and setting traps.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Salvatore Ruggirello ~ {Age; 31} ~ 6' 1" ~ 200 lbs. ~ {Tunis, Tunisia}
Record > 29-52-0 {23 KO's}

Called, the Italian 'Bocce Ball'. A durable punching-bag. Used to give Joe 'Rounds in the Ring'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George Higgs ~ {Age; 22} ~ 6' 2 1/2"" ~ 170 lbs. ~ {Florida, by way of New York City}
Record > 3-5-1 {2 KO's}

Nothing more than a body, to help with Joe's timing and left-jab. Was tall enough to present
someone like Braddock's height.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George 'Nickels' Nicholson ~ {Age; 24} ~ 6' 1" ~ 192 lbs. ~ {Yonkers, New York}
Record > 6-4-0 {5 KO's}

Another young 'body' to take punishment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leonard 'Tree' Dixon ~ {Age; 29} ~ 6' 7" ~ 215 lbs. ~ {Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}
Record > 14-14-1 {8 KO's}

A tall fighter, who had long arms. Another fighter to imitate the tall stance of James Braddock,
to help Joe Louis with his left-jab.

[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 ~

[walrus]

~ 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 ~

sounds like Joe was taken advantage of in many ways. I like Braddock but reaching into another man's purse to such an extent don't sound right to me.

[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.