The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19
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BY HENRY McLEMORE United Press Staff Correspondent

Los Angeles, Jan. 19-James J. Braddock fights Tommy Farr in New York Friday night, and I think he's a fool to do it. And believe if he asked Jack Dempsey and Jack Sharkey for their honest opinion they would tell him the same thing.
 Dempsey refused genuine offer of $750,000 to fight Gene Tunney a third time, he was afraid of what another fight with the sharpshoot- ing Tunney might do to his eye sight. Jack could have used the money, Just as anyone could always use three-quarters of million dol lars. But his sense of values wouldn't let him gamble his eyes against a checking account.
 Sharkey was not so wise. He rose to the lure of the cash offered him to fight Joe Louis, and came out of retirement He went in the ring that night without scar, despite a long, long career in the manly art He had plenty of money, but wanted more. You know what happened. Louis hit him a punch on the upper lip that did something Sharkey would not have happen for twice the money he received for the fight.
 Braddock has no business fighting Farr. Even if he needs money, and needs it badly. He's foolish to gam ble his health. Jim is through as a fighter. He has reached the age and condition where he has no business in 15-round fight, even if his foe is a man no better equipped than Farr. Tommy isn't killer, by any means. But he is young and tough and rough and figures to be- labor Braddock after five or six rounds, when Jim's legs are gone and he isn't able to get out of the way.
 Jim's only chance to win is to land his right in an early round. Maybe he will, but the chances are much against it. Louis couldn't nail Farr, and Louis is three times as quick as the Jersey IriShman. Once that fifth round is past, Braddock is certain to be stationary target, and even Farr can't miss a fixed object as large as Jim.
 Strangely enough, it is Braddock's $ courage that worries me the most. The Irishman, who is one of the most lovable fellows ever to pull on glove, doesn't know how to quit. Or how to preserve himself. He knows but one thing-move in and keep punching to the end. He proved that against Louis. He never could have licked Louis that night in Chicago, but he could have saved himself a wicked beating, and stayed much longer, had he fought with care. But he can't fight that way His heart won't let him. He must keep going forward. He must keer punching. He must take two, three or four, to give one.
 I can't figure out why he's fight ing. The last time I talked to him and to Joe Gould, his manager they told me that they had enough to live quietly and comfortably fol the rest of their days. also re- member that Jim told me when he was training for Louis that if he didn't win he never would fight again.
 I don't want to imply that Brad dock hasn't a chance against Farr He has. Any living man has 8 chance against Farr. Because tht Englishman can't fight lick. All ht has is youth and vitality. That talk about his planning to become $ puncher gainSt Braddock is silly You are born with a punch. Yol can't buy one. But he has youth Braddock hasn't. Hasn't had it fol 10 yecrs in fact. wish he wasn' fighting Friday night
 l Copyright 1888 by United Press,