Was James J. Braddock a great boxer?

[Underboss]

i only know him from the film ''cinderella man'' and the fight which he obviously beat max baer for the title.

so im asking the people who know him good. is he a GREAT boxer?

[Kid Achilles]

He wasn't a great fighter in terms of ability but as a person he meant more to many than superior fighters.

He wasn't awful, he was a sort of jack of all trades who could punch, box a little, and had a durable chin, but he was definitely one of the lesser heavyweight champions.

[phallus]

in terms of heart i'd put him up there, he gave joe louis a good fight for three or four rounds

[brownpimp88]

Kid Achilles basically summed it up.

[butterfly1964]

Kid Achilles basically summed it up.

Yeah, what he said.

[Underboss]

Yeah, what he said.

you love the history forum heh

[butterfly1964]

you love the history forum heh

[Phantasm]

I'm actually reading the book based on the film right now. I had read Jeremy Schaap's book when the film came out. The guy wasnt great, but had heart and a big right hand. If I were to compare him to a modern day fighter, it'd probably be Micky Ward (who happens to be my favorite fighter). And like Ward, he'd probably be a considered a good fighter, but not the elite. He made the boxing HOF based on his win over Baer, though he was a top Light Heavyweight prospect in his early days. But a good boxer would easily beat him, like Tommy Loughran did.

[ml2niceguy]

regardless cinderella man was a great story...really inspired me

[kayjay]

The Joe Louis fight can usually be tracked down on the web. He didn't do too badly in it.