The Washington times., 1938-02-01

S n eaVyWelgnC
champion is
not the prank
Kirk Miller OF q press
agent.
"Old Sobersides" is a man Of
determination. He's very "sot"
in his ways. He has spoken and
In so doing assures his admirers
they will never behold the spec
tacle of "poor old Jim Braddock,
punchy and on his heels"
Few fighters know when they
have reached the end Of the
trail. It doesn't make much diff
ference whether Bradcock has
one or two more fights in his
system. The important thing is
that he's over the peak-and
realizes it.
That is a good time for any
fighter to step down; before he
becomes the subject Of pity and
sympathy. The only trouble is
that few have handled their
ring earnings wisely enough to
be able to withdraw when flesh
Is weakening.
Courage, Plus
There have been many better
heavyweight champions than
Big Jim, but none Of them had
any more fighting l4eart. and I
think that is the quality for
which James j. Braddock will
be best remembered.
Too, he achieved his greatest
heights fighting against odds,
and there, my friends, Is the
true test of courage. The even
battles of life ere difficult
enough, but Jim Braddock
seemed best swimming up stream
and that is a tribute difficult
to earn.
Some observers Will say Brad
docks greatest achievement was
coming practically off the docks
and from oblivion to win the
worlds title from Baer in 1885.
True, that phase Of his career
has the story-book tang, but I
find, he rose to his true proper
tions in the manner that he
fought Joe Louis, losing his title.
The morning after that June,
1897, fight in Chicago, it was a
tosS-up whether Jim Braddpck
was the toast of America or the
new, negro champion, Joe Louis.
Because, and whereas, Braddock
the champion might have
elected to let the challenger
come to him, he had the nerve
to fight Joe Louis kind OF battle
by going to Joe Louis.
Schnleling's Recipe
The latter had previously
won the great majority Of his
fights by laying back until his
antagonist would step into his
range, rather than by himself
forcing the issue.
Baer, Carnera-all Of them
-shied away from Louis, and
lost. The first man to walk up
to Joe and smack him on the
cheek, Max Schmeling, defeated
the present champion.
Max's recipe was good enough
for Jim Braddock and Jim had
the innards to 60 through with
the formula. actually flooring
Louis in the second round.
When Joe didn't stay put, Brad
dock knew he was through and
so did the close students Of the
game, particularly Braddock's
handlers.
But Jim didn't admit this by
any action Of his in the ring.
He stayed in there six more
rounds following the old ring
axiom and kept punching. He
gave the fans their moneys
worth and made it a toe-to-toe
fight until he couldn't lift his
weary arms and until his legs
utterly refused to hold him
longer.
Highlights of Career
Jim reached his height that
night In the belief Of many.
Heleft the ring with the respect
Of ! u who beheld him and tens
of thousands Of radio listeners.
America, and for that matter
ell the world, was with Jim
Braddock with his famous re-
turn from oblivion, probably be-
cause he is a family man and
also because he was a gamester.
Too, his personality recon-
mended him, as did a fighting
face with firmly clenched Jaws
revealing just a hint Of a smile,
hair slightly touSeled and dukes
high.
And Braddock's waving good
bye to the ring can hardly be
dismissed with word to Joe
Gould, his draper half-pint man
ager who never gave up on Jim.
Here was confidence born Of
something finer than a mutual