American boxer, nicknamed ‘Cinderella Man,’ who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937. His other nicknames were ‘Bulldog of Bergen,’ ‘Pride of the Irish,’ and ‘Pride of New Jersey.’
Fighting under the name James J. Braddock (ostensibly to follow the pattern set by two prior world boxing champions, James J. Corbett and James J. Jeffries), Braddock was known for his spoiling, counterpunching style, powerful right hand and his iron chin. He had lost several bouts due to chronic hand injuries and was forced to work on the docks and collect social assistance to feed his family during the Great Depression. He made a comeback, and in 1935 he fought Max Baer for the Heavyweight title and won. For this unlikely feat he was given the nickname ‘Cinderella Man’ by Damon Runyon. Braddock was managed by Joe Gould.
Braddock married Mae Fox in 1930 and the couple had three children. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and became a first lieutenant. He served in the Pacific theatre on the island of Saipan, where he trained enlisted men in hand-to-hand combat. Upon return, he worked as a marine equipment surplus supplier and helped construct the Verrazano Bridge in the early 1960s.
James J. Braddock died on 29 November 1974, aged 69, in North Bergen, New Jersey. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park in North Bergen is named in his honour.
The 2005 biographical film Cinderella Man tells Braddock’s story. Directed by Ron Howard, it stars Russell Crowe as Braddock and Renée Zellweger as his wife, Mae. The film had an estimated budget of $88 million and grossed $108.5 million worldwide. Crowe’s performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
Link to Wikipedia biography