James Braddock finally got another shot at a world title, now at heavy weight and 6 years after his title hopes were dashed when he was schooled by Tommy Loughran in my 1929.
Braddock had forced the hands of the powers that be after a serious of victories over rated heavyweights such as John Henry Lewis and Art Lasky. The one dimensional, right hand dependant Braddock had evolved. The endless hours of toil on the docks had made his left hand strong, he had avoided breaking his hand again in his fights and he was in great shape. Art Lasky found that Braddock could box when he eased to a 15 round decision and Corn Griffin found out Braddock could still punch when he was knocked out inside 3 rounds.
Braddock’s return to a championship ring would turn out to be possibly the greatest upset in boxing’s fine history. A 10-1 underdog Jimmy Braddock wasn’t given a chance by almost everyone, again the only people that mattered thought Braddock could win out against ‘Madcap’ Maxie Baer. If James Braddock had a shot, Max Baer didn’t know or want to know about it. Supremely confident that his mammoth right hand would end Braddock’s night approached the fight with his usual disregard and care free attitude. Baer was a clown, but he had also had one of the best right hands in boxing history and people feared for James Braddock’s life, after all Baer had killed in the ring before*
Come fight night Braddock was confident but knew Baer would be the toughest fight of his life, he was nervous and rightly so.
The champion wearing his now traditional black trunks with Star of David on his left leg meets Braddock wearing Black with white trim. The announcements are made and the fighters meet.
Braddock rushed across the ring and straight away reached out for Baer’s head. The fighters circled each other; Braddock was jabbing at Baer’s head and looking for an opening for his right. Baer was smiling and spent a lot of the opening minute hitching up his shorts. The first meaningful punch was landed by Braddock, a solid right to Maxie’s jaw. Baer landed a few decent upper cuts in the round but he was mainly fending off Braddock and hitching up his shorts! As the round ended the two were stalking each other looking for an opening
One again in the second Braddock is using his left jab a lot, trying to set up an opportunity, Baer is largely dismissive of Braddock’s punches and continues to try to land his big right to the head and body. The pair land on each other but rather un effectively
In a slow opening Braddock’s jab isn’t hurting but more annoying Baer than anything. For the 1st time Baer opens up and lands cleanly on Braddock. He lands with Head and body shots with both hands. The rest of the round is largely uneventful; both are clipped by the opponent but Baer is the more effective
Baer’s Round
4th Round
Baer hits Braddock with 3 uppercuts and then attempts to wrestle the challenger to the ground. Baer sarcastically waves an apology to the crowd and is met with a chorus of jeers. Braddock is doing a good job of staying out of trouble and he spoiled Baer’s work when they get close. Baer spent as much time playing with his shorts as he did fighting. Braddock landed his jab and dug his right into Baer’s body
Braddock’s round
5th round
Baer spend most of the early going placing his left on Braddock’s forehead , merely trying to annoy Braddock, but Braddock was calm and shot his left into Baer’s face and landed his right to Baer’s jaw. Now landing his jab more frequently Braddock manages to avoid a huge haymaker from Baer but takes a solid right to the ear in the next exchange. Baer was quite inactive through the round, Braddock landed more frequently and with more conviction
Braddock’s Round
6th Round
The 6th starts with immediate action, Baer is clipped by a right but hammers a strong right of his own to Braddock’s Jaw and then he opens up to Braddock’s body. Braddock’s jab continues to be largely his only weapon; he is having success with it but not really hurting Baer. Nearing the end of the round they exchanged shots to the head and body, Baer throws a lunging right hand and almost stumbles to the canvas
Braddock’s round
7th round
Max Baer is the aggressor as the round starts; up close he rips Braddock with right uppercuts. Baer measures James J with his left and attempts to bring his right over the top, never really landing the punch flush. Braddock looks slightly weary and isn’t offering much offence, but he managed to shock Braddock with a right hand to the head. The round ends with Baer tapping Braddock on the shoulder in a patronising manor
Baer’s round
8th Round
Early in the round the two fighters came together, Baer was struck and with a short left hand that appeared to stagger Baer although Baer was probably clowning. He feigned shaky legs for the next few seconds. The two men exchanged right hands to the head; Braddock’s was harder, with more effect and allowed him to follow up with another right, then a one-two combo. Both fighters are pawing it each other at the bell. The pace is starting to get to each fighter
Braddock’s round
9th round
Baer starts the round fighting out of a crouch, looking to jab to the body. Braddock is able to block the punches and comes back with sharp jabs of his own. It is becoming more likely Braddock will win the fight. The fighters maul at each other in the centre of the ring, neither landing effectively. Braddock slightly edges the exchanges; he is punching sharper than Baer who is beginning to fade under the pace.
Braddock’s round
10th Round
Braddock looks tired at the start of the 10th; he has stopped doubling his jab and it now throwing single jabs. Baer is loading up and throwing lunging right hands, Braddock avoids being hit hard and counters Baer with rights to the body. The champion retaliates with a hard left that snaps Braddock’s head back, he stands back to admire his work rather than pressing the initiative. The round ends with Baer hitting Braddock up close with uppercuts.
Braddock’s round
11th round
Baer must know he is fair behind, he rushes from his corner and fires a quick combo that land on Braddock with explosive force. Baer continues to carry the fight to Braddock who is still game in the fight. He finds a gap and hits Baer with a series of short punches. Baer shakes it of and gestures to Braddock and everyone else that he isn’t hurt.
Baer’s round
12th round
Baer looks tired and un-interested as the round starts, he is stopped in his tracks by a solid right hand, and Braddock gets the better of the following exchange. Later in the round Braddock hits Baer with a solid left, the left that didn’t have 5 years ago. Baer is hurt but still smiling. The two slugged at each other with leaden arms both are feeling the pace and it looked increasingly like it would come down to who wanted it more. Baer lands punishing shots to the body of the challenger, they are separated and Baer makes a comment to the Braddock corner and its promptly hit by a left hand from the challenger. The two stare each other down at the end of the round then return to their corners
Baer’s round
13th Round
The hard luck round begins with Baer needing a knock out to win the fight. The real question us does he have a knockout punch left in his heavy arms?
Braddock fires his jab, not very hard but it land’s he is hit with a decent right up close as the two exchange shots. Braddock is now beating the champ to the punch he gets hit with a right hand but is unaffected by the punch. As the round continues Braddock is working the jab and staying out of trouble, he must know he is ahead and there is no need to risk slugging it out with Baer. The round ends with both men looking tired, it’s been a hard fight and isn’t about to get easier in the championship rounds
Braddock’s round
14th Round
The beginning of the round is largely uneventful; Baer begins to work Braddock’s in a late attempt to stop the challenger. Braddock takes the punches well and avoids any serious punishment. Baer is the aggressor hoping to end the fight but it is the champion who is staggered by a right, the champs lazy left is countered with a smashing overhand right to his jaw. Baer’s only strategy is to march forward an attempt to crack Braddock’s granite chin. The two tangles in the neutral corner and are separated by the ref, as they break Baer uses his lazy left to fend off Braddock and almost pays for it when a right hand barely misses his chin. It looks increasingly unlikely that a knock out will occur both fighters are very tired.
Even Round
15th round
Braddock knows he just has to avoid being knocked out to win, the fighter with a stout heart and a granite chin is within 3 minutes of being the new champion.
The two touch gloves at the start of the round and immediately mauling at each other. Baer working the body with his powerful right, his arms are heavy and have little effect. Braddock is resisting gamely and fires a right of his own to Baer’s open chin. The champion is barely able to defend himself as he flays at Braddock. The two stand toe to toe and hit each other with punches from both hands. The fight is a real struggle for both men but they continue, the hardest punch left in Baer’s body slams against Braddock, he stumbles out of exhaustion as much as the effects of the punch. Again Baer his the challenger with all he has and forces him back, Braddock, unfazed by the punch initiates an exchange starting with a hard right to Baer’s chin. The champ gets the better of the exchange and staggers the brave challenger with a jab, a right cross then a left hook. If Baer had fought with such rigour in the early rounds he may have knocked Braddock out by now. But the bell rings, the two fighters embrace
It is clear to everyone there is a new champion, Braddock has upset the odds maker and has performed greater than any underdog ever has. The one handed, untalented, outclassed, washed up tomato can of a fighter had become a hero, and the embodiment of a never say die attitude and showed that a big heart can lead you to immortality
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