James Braddock vs. John 'Corn' Griffin ~ 'The Fight That Saved Braddock's Career'

[Bill Paxtom]

June 14, 1934

Madison Square Garden Bowl ~ Long Island City, New York

On the undercard of the Primo Carnera vs. Max Bear ~ 'World Heavyweight Championship'
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~ 5-Round 'Heavyweight Special' ~

John 'Corn' Griffin - 44-10-4 {26 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ Reach; 72" ~ 184 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 11 months}
vs.
James Braddock - 41-23-4 {23 KO's} ~ 6' 2 1/2" ~ Reach; 76" ~ 180 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 0 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

John 'Corn' Griffin was a vicious punching fighter from Georgia. Many considered 'Corn' to
be a future 'Light Heavyweight' Title Challenger.

The 'Georgia Bomber' was listed as a {5-1} Betting-Favorite over what the boxing pundits
were calling a 'washed up' James Braddock, in what was later stated as a 'starving' Braddock.

James Braddock took this bout on only 2-Days notice {Fight Purse; $250}, and had been
living off of {Hash and Potato's} for several months.

Braddock had been 'pathetic' in his last 19-Bouts over the past 3-years, winning only '6-Bouts'
during that span.

The 'low-point' was on March 1, 1933 > when Braddock was 'Disqualified' in Round 4, {for not trying}.

And, James Braddock had been 'inactive' for 9-Months, since breaking his hand against 20 1/2 year-old
'prospect' Abe Feldman on September 25, 1933.

[Bill Paxtom]

John 'Corn' Griffin

Managed by; Charles J. Harvey

'Corn' had sledge-hammers for fists, and could 'bomb-out' out anyone, if he caught them.

The 6' 0" ~ 184 lb. fighter from Fort Benning, Georgia was a South-Atlantic terror.
From January 1932 -thru- September 1933, 'Corn' went 18-1-2 with {10 KO's} to gain
some recognition, while improving his record to 41-8-3 with {25 KO's}.

Ring Magazine mentioned the 22 year-old John 'Corn' Griffin as ......... 'One-to-Watch' in 1933.

[Bill Paxtom]

John 'Corn' Griffin

Managed by; Charles J. Harvey

'Corn' had sledge-hammers for fists, and could 'bomb-out' out anyone, if he caught them.

The 6' 0" ~ 178 lb. fighter from Fort Benning, Georgia was a South-Atlantic terror.
From January 1932 -thru- September 1933, 'Corn' went 18-1-2 with {10 KO's} to gain
some recognition, while improving his record to 41-8-3 with {25 KO's}.

Ring Magazine mentioned the 22 year-old John 'Corn' Griffin as ......... 'One-to-Watch' in 1933.

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~ Georgia Peach ~

According to the 'book',

By August 1933,

John 'Corn' Griffin {Age; 22 years, 1 month}, and with a record of 41-8-3 {25 KO's} was on
the verge of earning a World Light-Heavyweight Championship bout against Maxie Rosenbloom.

'Corn' was ranked as high as the #7 Light-Heavyweight.

On September 4, 1933 >
'Corn' Griffin was upset {L TKO 6} by Buck Everett on a cut-eye. The 'loss' did not hurt Griffin's
rating at the time..

This set up a Light-Heavyweight Elimination Bout with former Light-Heavyweight Champion
Bob Godwin for October 25, 1933 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

The winner was to get a chance at Champion - Maxie Rosenbloom for December 21, 1933.

In the bout between > John 'Corn' Griffin vs. Bob Godwin

It was a 'toe-to-toe' slugfest, with each fighter throwing bombs. Though 'Corn' Griffin could punch,
he was 'no match' for the 'former' Light-Heavyweight Champion in the boxing department.

Griffin was 'dropped' {3-times} in Round 5, for an automatic TKO stoppage.

[Bill Paxtom]

Scarra-Manga,

The movie 'The Cinderella Man' was incorrect in stating that John 'Corn' Griffin was
the #2 Ranked Heavyweight when he fought James Braddock.

Griffin was ranked as the #7 Light-Heavyweight at the time. As a matter of fact, his record
was {3-2-1} in his previous '6-Bouts' dating back to September 1933.

Most of the 'old-timers' say, that John 'Corn' Griffin was 'all hype', because he had a
very good Manager {Charles L. Harvey}.

He was a good puncher, who threw bombs. But, he was a 'wide open' slugger, much like a
Southern Barroom Fighter.

Here is the previous opponents list >
* April 17, 1934 ........... W Dec 10 ......... George Fontenberry ~ 28-7-5 {10 KO's}
* February 13, 1934 ..... Draw 10 ........... George Fontenberry ~ 28-7-4 {10 KO's}
* January 26, 1934 ....... W Dec 10 ......... George Manley ~ 87-18-9 {33 KO's}
* January 10, 1934 ....... KO 5 ................ Jim Maloney ~ 51-17-2 {26 KO's}
* October 25, 1933 ....... L TKO 5 ........... Bob Godwin ~ 73-9-8 {25 KO's}
* September 4, 1933 ..... L TKO 6 ........... Buck Everett ~ 28-13-1 {8 KO's}

[Bill Paxtom]

Scarra-Manga,

The movie 'The Cinderella Man' was incorrect in stating that John 'Corn' Griffin was
the #2 Ranked Heavyweight when he fought James Braddock.

Griffin was ranked as the #7 Light-Heavyweight at the time. As a matter of fact, his record
was {3-2-1} in his previous '6-Bouts' dating back to September 1933.

Most of the 'old-timers' say, that John 'Corn' Griffin was 'all hype', because he had a
very good Manager {Charles L. Harvey}.

He was a good puncher, who threw bombs. But, he was a 'wide open' slugger, much like a
Southern Barroom Fighter.

Here is the previous opponents list >
* April 17, 1934 ........... W Dec 10 ......... George Fontenberry ~ 28-7-5 {10 KO's}
* February 13, 1934 ..... Draw 10 ........... George Fontenberry ~ 28-7-4 {10 KO's}
* January 26, 1934 ....... W Dec 10 ......... George Manley ~ 87-18-9 {33 KO's}
* January 10, 1934 ....... KO 5 ................ Jim Maloney ~ 51-17-2 {26 KO's}
* October 25, 1933 ....... L TKO 5 ........... Bob Godwin ~ 73-9-8 {25 KO's}
* September 4, 1933 ..... L TKO 6 ........... Buck Everett ~ 28-13-1 {8 KO's}

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John 'Corn' Griffin

Got a lot of 'ink' when he was in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey > as a sparring-partner for
Heavyweight Champion - Primo Carnera in late-May and early-June of 1934.

'Corn' had looked real good in sparring, and had made the 'oaf' Primo Carnera look like
a 'preliminary fighter' during several sessions.

This from Manager - Charles L. Harvey >
"My boy is still young {Age; 22 years, 11 months}. He will be Heavyweight Champion
within 2 years. We will go after the Light-Heavyweight Championship later this year.
After that, give us a year to prepare for the bigger division."

" 'Corn' can handle the bigger fellows with his strength, he just needs to refine his boxing
skills, that's all."

[Bill Paxtom]

James Braddock vs. John 'Corn' Griffin

Round 1

The younger Georgian came out fast, and started winging with wide-hooks. Braddock,
who was slow afoot, was repeatedly 'tagged' by punches to the head over the first
{1:40}.

Braddock then tried to move forward, and was attempting to press the younger and
aggressive Griffin.

Suddenly during an exchange at Center-Ring, 'Corn' got through with a big right-hand
to Braddock's jaw at the {1:55 Mark}.

Braddock was hurt, and 'staggered' about as Griffin {6' 0"} moved in. The Georgian 'slammed'
Braddock {6' 2 1/2"} with several more bombs, and drove him backwards and to the Ropes,
where he started to 'sag'.

But somehow a 'dazed' Braddock was just barely able to ride out the storm by using his longer
arms {76" Reach} to hold off the shorter-bomber from landing any more 'clean' hooks.

At the end of Round 1, a 'still groggy' Braddock walked back to his corner like he was
'sleep-walking'.

[Bill Paxtom]

James Braddock vs. John 'Corn' Griffin

Round 2

A still 'groggy' James Braddock came out slow at the start of the Round. 'Corn' Griffin
sensing his opportunity, wailed into his 'sleepy' opponent.

Griffin slammed Braddock with an un-relentless barrage, driving him around the Ring.
The Georgia-Bomber slammed heavy-hooks into Braddock's head for nearly 40-Seconds
straight.

By the {0:50 Mark}, Braddock was able to circle out to Center-Ring, where he was
attempting to fight back.

At the {0:55 Mark}, Braddock attempted a long right-hand from outside, but he was
'slow' in delivering the punch.

At the same time, 'Corn' Griffin stepped in with a measuring left-hand, and then came
in with 'crushing' right-hand that landed just behind Braddock's left-ear.

Braddock 'crashed' immediately to the canvas. After '3-Seconds', Braddock got to his knee's
and re-set himself, as he took the '9-Count' from Referee - Billy 'Kid' McPartland.

When Braddock got up to continue, 'Corn' came in charging with punches, and was wide-open
with his attack, driving Braddock backwards.

After a 30-Second barrage, 'Corn' missed with a wide right-hook, and was attempting to load
up with a sweeping left-hook.

At the same time at the {1:35 Mark}, Braddock shot out a quick left-hand, but missed. But he
came back with a fast 'short right-hand' to the point of Griffin's chin.

Griffin then toppled to forward and into the canvas at Braddock's feet.

Griffin struggled to get up at the '9-Count', as he just beat the count.

Braddock then moved in quickly, and tried to finish the 'dazed' Griffin off, but Braddock could not
land the 'finisher' as Griffin grabbed and held until he 'cleared-his-head'.

Over the second-half of the Round, it was 'Corn' Griffin trying to land with his sweeping left-hook,
and Braddock countering the overly aggressive Griffin with right-crosses to the jaw.

[Bill Paxtom]

James Braddock vs. John 'Corn' Griffin

Round 3

'Corn' Griffin came out for Round 3, still in a fog from the late-session pummeling he took in Round 2.

Braddock came forward, by tossing in sharp left-hands, as he was setting up the Georgia-Boy for a
right-cross.

By the {1:00 Mark}, Griffin was getting tagged by counter right-crosses, as he had no defense for the
longer-armed Braddock {Reach 76" to 72"}.

By the {2:00 Mark}, Braddock was easily tagging Griffin with 'jarring' right-hands, and had the Georgian
reeling on unsteady-pins.

Braddock then 'thumped' Griffin with a volley of punches, and had him literally 'out-on-his-feet'.

At the {2:37 Mark} - Referee Billy 'Kid' McPartland had seen enough and called the bout over.

[Bill Paxtom]

James Braddock vs. John 'Corn' Griffin

~ Aftermath ~

James Braddock >

Well, we all know what happened here. But after this bout, Braddock was 'idle' for another
6-Months until he fought John Henry Lewis on November 16, 1934.

This 'win' did resurrect James Braddock's career, though the win was 'over-blown' as a
major upset.

The win 'did not' put James Braddock in the Top 10 in either the Light-Heavyweight or
Heavyweight division. But the win did get Braddock some 'good press'.
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John 'Corn' Griffin >

This 'devastating loss' literally ended Griffin's career.

'Corn' who was a former Sargeant in the United States Army, went into a 'tail-spin' after
this Knockout Loss.

Griffin fought on for '2' more years, but won only 'once' in '12-Bouts', and was stopped in
'6' of those bouts.

John 'Corn' Griffin ended his career in July 1936 {Age; 25} with a record of 45-22-6.