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

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

That photo of Joe Louis looks cool playing cards.

That was in March 1937 {Joe Louis and Manager; Julian Black}.

Julian Black had set Joe up with a 'Barnstorming Boxing Exhibition' for Colorado, Utah
and Southern California.

They were expecting Joe Louis to reel in $20,000 for a 4-Week Tour.

It started off well, as they pulled in {6000 spectators} in Denver.

But in San Diego, they were expecting {6000 spectators} but only {3000}
turned out to see Joe box with '3' Sparring-Partners.

In another Southern California Exhibition, only {1000} turned out to watch Joe
perform in a 3850-seat Arena.

It was a costly tour, as the 'Railway' travel bill alone was $5500 for the entourage,
plus $2000 for Sparring-Partners, and another $1000 for 'lavish living'.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Pre-Fight Reporting ~

James Braddock

The Heavyweight Champion was taking this fight with intense seriousness. Despite being
idle for 2-years, Braddock {Age; 32} was in the finest physical condition he had ever been
in.

What his Trainer- Doc Robb did, was feed Braddock heavily, to get him up to 215 lbs. during
February and March. Then they brought Braddock up to Stone Lake, Wisconsin - before
opening up his 'regular' Training Camp.

Braddock then spent 3-Weeks chopping logs with an Axe for 2-Hour intervals, 3-times a day.

Also, Braddock was doing 5-Mile Runs each day.

At the end of 3-Weeks, no longer was Braddock a 'thin-legged' gangling-boxer at 185 lbs. Now
he was 195+ lbs. and finely chiseled.

Only 3-years earlier {June 1934}, Braddock {Age; 29} was a near-starving 180 lb. spindly-legged
former washed-up Light-Heavyweight.

[Master]

[Bill Paxtom]

June 10, 1937

James Braddock

The World Champion went 5-Rounds with '5' different sparring partners today. The Champion
was working on left-hands to the body, and 'lumped-up' each of his over-matched gym mates.

Braddook looked sharp, and his footwork was excellent. Afterwards, Braddock took a brisk
5-Mile run, and then was back in the Gym doing some light calisthenics.

Doc Robb {Trainer} >
"We know that the only way Jim can win, is to be in the finest physical condition. We are
working on body-punching, as we believe we can wear Joe Louis down some."

"If we get by the 9th Round, the fight will be ours. I don't think that Joe Louis is built
for the long-haul. He's not an endurance Horse, he's a 'sprinter' who is dangerous over
the first half."

"We just have to be patient and cautious. We can do that be keeping a left-hand in Louis'
face, and keep him off-balance."

~ The James Braddock Team ~

Jack McCarthy ~ Charley Massera ~ Doc Robb ~ James Braddock ~ Joe Gould ~ Bill Irby ~ Max Roesch