James J Braddock

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01_03/bn_jeffpowellringheroes_308x76.png The proposed re-release of Cinderella Man comes as a cinematic reminder that it was James J Braddock, not Sylvester Stallone, who was the real Rocky. Russell Crowe's portrayal of Braddock in Ron Howard's 2005 movie gave a wider audience than the fraternity of the ring an insight into the brutal reality of boxing, as opposed to the over-exaggerated theatricals of the Rocky series. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/11/29/article-1334149-00D99C9F1000044C-23_306x466.jpg Braddock survived a life of grim poverty and grinding subsistence as a longshoreman to win the world heavyweight title by sheer guts and heroic effort far in excess of his limited talent. After damaging his right hand, Braddock used his left to continue working so as to feed his family and stave off what he regarded as the embarrassment of claiming welfare. The strength he gained in that hand carried him into an unlikely ring career which came to a climax in the summer of 1935 a few blocks from his humble New York birthplace....at Madison Square Garden. Braddock was hand-picked by champion Max Baer as an apparently easy opponent. He entered that hallowed ring as a 10-1 underdog only to spring one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Braddock took a bloody battering in the early rounds but, as he put it, 'simply refused to lose.' Baer became increasingly bemused as the so-called no-hoper who had been nicknamed Cinderella Man by author Damon Runyon staggered under his massive punches but managed to stay upright. Braddock's gallant persistence finally wore down the champion and the judges gave him the unanimous 15-round decision which changed the course of not only his own life but that of ring history. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/11/29/article-1334149-007A93CC00000258-593_634x401.jpg Joe Louis knocked him out in the eighth round two years later, to help confirm his true greatness. Braddock, who would be elected to the Hall of Fame 30 years after his death in 1974 at the age of 69, was not quite finished yet. Back in the Garden in 1838, in his last proper fight, he knocked out Tommy Farr in the tenth. We can forgive him for downing one of Britain's finest. Braddock was an authentic hero, not only for his valour in the ring but as an inspiration to struggling people everywhere to strive for achievements above and beyond their natural abilities.