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

[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

[Bill Paxtom]

Tale of the Tape

.....................James Braddock ............ Joe Louis
Age ................... 32 years, 0 months ..... 23 years, 1 month
Height ............... 6' 2 1/2" .................... 6' 2"
Weight .............. 197 lbs. ..................... 197 1/2 lbs.
Reach ................ 75 1/2" ...................... 76"
Chest {Norm} ..... 41" ........................... 41"
Chest {Exp} ........ 44" ........................... 44"
Biceps ................ 13" ........................... 14"
Forearm ............. 12 1/2" ..................... 12 1/2"
Waist ................. 34 1/2" ..................... 34"
Neck .................. 17" ........................... 16 1/2'
Thigh ................. 22 3/4" ..................... 21"
Ankle ................. 10" ........................... 10"
Calf ................... 16" ........................... 15"
Wrist ................... 8" ............................ 8"
Fist .................... 11 1/2" .................... 11"

Record .............. 45-23-4 .................... 33-1-0
Knockouts ......... {26} ......................... {26}

[Bill Paxtom]

Observers noted in Pre-Fight Training Camp

Joe Louis

* Was slow of foot.
* Had fast-hands, and could unleash a '2-Punch' combination with precision.
* Somewhat 'lackadaisical' in sparring sessions.
* Losing interest, as he appeared over-confident.
* Regarded the Champion {James Braddock} as a below average fighter.
* Joe Louis has gotten used to the good living, and he has lost the 'zest' for fighting.
* Appeared lazy in many of the Training sessions.
* Was 'late' in firing off his counter-punches.
* Missed with many of his punches.
* Looked 'stale' and sluggish.

* Some Boxing Pundits were already labeling Joe Louis as the World's Greatest Heavyweight.
* He being compared to James J. Jeffries, who many considered the Greatest Heavyweight.

* Joe Louis stated that after he won the Title, he had plans of retiring by the end of 1938.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday ~ June 13, 1937

Municipal Stadium ~ Kenosha, Wisconsin

~ Joe Louis Still Has Punch, As 1800 Turn Out For Sparring Exhibition ~

Joe Louis went 8-Rounds with '4' different sparring partners today. The Heavyweight Challenger
has now put in '91-Rounds' in 15-Days of sparring.

Today, Louis sparred with;
* George Williams
* Tiger Hairston
* George Nicholson
* Leonard 'Tree' Dixon - {6' 7"}

In his session with the 'long and tall' Dixon, Joe Louis 'floored' his sparring-mate with a 'dynamite'
right-hand to the chin.

This was Joe Louis' {21st-Knockdown} that he has registered in sparring.

The Challenger plans to go 8-Rounds on {Tuesday ~ Thursday ~ Saturday ~ Sunday}. That will
give the eager fighter '123-Rounds' of sparring in preparation of his Title Challenge for the World
Championship set for June 22nd.