Cinderella Man: The James J. Braddock Story

by Michael DeLisa

In 1934, Jim Braddock was down and out. His boxing career blighted by broken hands, the New York Irishman had won five of his previous 21 bouts and had been forced to quit. The Great Depression was at its height. When work dried up on the Hudson River docks, Braddock was forced to claim welfare relief to feed his young family. Then came a visit from his old manager, asking if he wanted one more fight. Desperate for money, Braddock had no choice but to say yes. Four wins later, he was the heavyweight champion of the world in the greatest upset in the sport’s history. Braddock’s rags-to-riches success led Damon Runyon to call him the Cinderella Man. His story captivated the nation in much the way the racehorse Seabiscuit’s would a few years later. Braddock came to represent the struggle for survival facing many families in mid-1930s America. James J. Braddock was born in New York City in 1906, one of seven children. He developed an early taste for fighting and quit school to work a series of menial jobs before resolving to pursue his boxing dream. Over the next decade he became a contender, before injury ruined his prospects. Redemption came on the night of June 13, 1935, with his famous victory over the outrageous champion Max Baer. Braddock would later lose his title to the great Joe Louis, but his place as the people’s champion was cemented forever. Author Michael DeLisa is historical consultant on a major motion picture entitled The Cinderella Man , starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger, to be released in the summer of 2005.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

269 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many years I had known about Jim Braddock and what he went through to become heavyweight
champion. It's a wonderful story and I was so happy when this book came out and Ron Howard
directed a great film with Russell Crowe portraying Braddock.

James W. Braddock was born in 1905 in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan. He changed his middle
initial to "J" later on in deference to such fabled Irish pugilists as James J. Corbett and James J. Jeffries. Boxing as to so many was a way out of the slums and Braddock learned the trade. In the
late 20 and early 30s he was a rising contender as he fought in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions.

But a broken right hand looked like it was going to finish his career. It usually did for a boxer, still
Braddock fought as long as he could which was as long as the Athletic Commissions of various states
allowed him to. When he could no longer box, Braddock went to work on the docks in New Jersey
where he was living with his wife and kids. This was the Great Depression and work was scarce.

Still he persisted and whether it was by accident or design work as a longshoreman worked better
than any training camp to get in condition and heal his hand. He got back into boxing and made
himself back into some kind of contender.

In 1935 he got his chance, a shot at the heavyweight title held by Max Baer. The Ron Howard film
makes Baer out as a bad guy which he wasn't. It's the only flaw in the film, Baer in fact was a nice
easy going chap who had one of the deadliest right hands in boxing. But he liked to party a lot and
didn't train too hard for the Braddock fight.

It cost him big time as Braddock avoided Baer's deadly right and took the fight a whole 15 rounds
and won a decision and the championship. Like Baer he lost it on his first defense to Joe Louis.
Braddock was knocked out in the 8th round by Louis. It was the only time he lost via a knockout
in his career.

This is a wonderful book by Michael DeLisa about a man who was the very definition of both class
and heart in the boxing world and outside it. Jim Braddock is a great example of how one conducts
one self in sports and in life. More people should know his story.

[The Fifth Killjoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG when I saw this book at the library I knew I had to take it, because I had already watched the movie many times and when I saw there was a book I had to read it! I am glad I did because I learned some new things I did not know about boxing, but this book really helped!! Would recommended to anyone who loved the movie as much as I did!

[Dan Yeadon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography keeps you hooked , I wanted to keep reading because the hype feels like you’re a fan waiting and anticipating the big title fight coming up. Also it explored the life of his manager which is something the movie didn’t really have time to do.
It was a really good book

[Anne Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every boxing historian and a story of survival - American style. DeLisa is an excellent author: the subject was one hell of a fighter. Thank you for an awesome read, Mr. DeLisa.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and it brought back memories of me watching the fights on TV with my dad.

[Eric Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid boxing biography..

[Robin or Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting historical account of Braddock's story. I was expecting more about his personal life. Instead it mostly read as a history of Braddock's bouts along with many other fighters' bouts during the Great Depression.