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

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

The Boxing Pundits

Despite the acceptance that Joe Louis was the 'Greatest Heavyweight in the World' at the time,
he was 'not' the outright choice by the Sportswriters.

And despite the 'knock' on the Champion - James Braddock > that he was 'not really that good',
'The Cinderella man' had many supporters.

~ Poll of '55' Sportswriters ~

Joe Louis .............. '33' picked the Challenger to win. With '22' by way of Knockout

James Braddock .... '22' picked the Champion to win. With '5' by way of Knockout.

Damon Runyon
Joe Louis is too much of a 'punching machine'. And though the Champion is a real
battle-tested' veteran, he has no chance.

Joe Louis by Knockout in 7.

Harry McLemore
James Braddock is way too smart for the Challenger. He's in fine physical condition, and that
will be the difference.

James Braddock by 15-Round Decision.

Nat Fleischer
Joe Louis is an easy pick here. He'll do it in the 6th Round. Braddock comes straight in, and
is willing to trade. That will be his downfall..

Bill Corum
The Challenger has the left-hook, and the straight right. Louis is too young, too strong
and punches too hard.

Joe Louis in less than 5 Rounds.

[walrus]

Anyone know the truth behind how Braddock got a piece of a lot of Joe Louis fights. They made mention of it in the movie Cinderella man. I think I could look it up but @Bill Paxtom will probably have a better answer