Braddock, born in New York City, had a powerful right
hand and a successful amateur career. He turned pro in 1926.
Braddock had victories over fighters like Jimmy Slattery and
Pete Latzo. Braddock fought light heavyweight champ Tommy
Loughran in 1929 for the title, but was defeated in a
heartbreaking 15-round decision. Following the Loughran
fight and the stock market crash of 1929, Jim Braddock was
down on his luck. He had a hard time struggling to win
fights and put food on the table for his young family.
Eventually Jim's luck began to change. In 1934 he had
upset wins against Corn Griffin and John Henry Lewis. With
these two wins, Braddock set himself up for a shot for the
title against heavyweight champion Max Baer.
On June 13th, 1935, in Long Island City, N.Y.,
Braddock, as a 10 to 1 underdog, won the heavyweight
championship of the world from Max Baer. The general
reaction in most quarters was described as, "the greatest
fistic upset since the defeat of John L. Sullivan by Jim
Corbett". Braddock would lose his heavyweight title two
years later in an 8 round KO to "The Brown Bomber", Joe
Louis. He retired after a final win over Tomomy Farr in
1938. Jim was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in
1964, the Hudson County Hall of Fame in 1991 and the
International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.
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