James J Braddock

By Salomón Diaz

James J Braddock was born in New York on June 7th 1905 into an Irish family. Braddock became a professional boxer at the age of 21, fighting in the light heavyweight category, after an amateur career. He fought in the championship three years later and he lost against Tommy Loughran in the 15th round. In the following six years, during the Great Depression, he had to earn his life working in other jobs because there were few opportunities to make money in the boxing business. In 1934, thanks to a last minute cancellation, Braddock had the chance to fight against John Griffin and he won an unexpected victory. He also defeated John Henry Lewis, Art Lasky and finally he won the World Champion heavyweight title by beating Max Baer. He had fifty-one victories in eighty-five fights. Braddock was included in 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. A park in the city of North Bergen, Jersey, is named in his honor.