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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.