CHAPTERONE

ALuckyMan

MadisonSquareGarden,NewYork,November30,1928

TherewerenineteenthousandboxingsupportersaroundthecenterringinMadison Square Garden, and most were waiting for just one thing-for onefighter to murder another. Tonight they were waiting for Gerald "Tuffy"Griffiths,the"TerrorfromoutWest,"todestroyNewJersey'sJimBraddock.

Atthesoundofthebell,BraddockstoodunderthehotlightsandwatchedGriffiths rush out into the ring. Tuffy Griffiths had come to New York afterwinningfiftyfights.Hehadwonhislastfightwithaknockoutinthefirstround.Everybody knew that he would do the same to Braddock-everybody exceptBraddockandhismanager,JoeGould.GouldbelievedinBraddock.

AsuddenjabfromBraddockknockedGriffithsback.Thefightersstartedmoving around the ring, throwing and blocking punches. Griffiths threw thesamepunches thathadeasilybeatenhisotheropponents,butBraddockstayedonhisfeet.Bloodandsweatpouredintohiseyes.

Noneof the reporters around the ring expected theNew Jersey boxer toreach theendof thesecondround.Butby round two,Braddockhad timedhisopponent's rushes.Within oneminute, he hit Griffiths with his big punch-hisrightcross-andTuffywentdown.Thecrowdstood,shouting.Buttherefereehadonly counted to three before Griffiths was back on his feet and the fightcontinued.

Time stretched for Braddock now, and his opponent's slightest moveseemedenormous.Braddockpaidnoattention to the screamsof thecrowd, tothepainhefelt.Thiswashischance to finishGriffiths.He threwhisbigrightpunchagain,andagainTuffywasonthefloor.

"One...two...three...four..."therefereecounted.For a second time, Griffiths got to his feet. But Braddock was ready,

stepping in close and throwing punch after punch. Then his right hand flewforwardandfoundGriffiths'chinforthelasttime.Thebigfighterhit theflooragain.Hetriedtostand,buthislegswerelikerubber.Nomorepuncheshithim,buthewentdown-andstayeddown.

"And from the great state of New Jersey, by a knockout, tonight's lightheavyweightwinner...JimBraddock!"

The crowdwas back on its feet. The local boy hadwon!Braddock hadbeen born inHell'sKitchen, a poor neighborhood ofNewYork just a stone'sthrow fromMadisonSquareGarden.Braddockpunched the air in celebration.He lookedat thecrowd,at themen in theirsuitsand tiesand thewomenwiththeirfashionablehaircutsandexpensiveclothes.ItwasFridaynight, theworldseemed tobehavingaparty, andJimBraddock'swinwasonemore reason tocelebrate!

GriffithswasBraddock's eighteenth knockout since his first professionalfightin1926.Histwenty-seventhwin.ThefightorganizershadhadbigplansforGriffiths. After this surprise win, maybe Braddock would have his chance tofightforthetitleofheavyweightchampion.Thatwaseveryboxer'sdream.

Inside the ring, JoeGould rushedout of the corner and jumpedontohisboxer's back. Both men looked at the crowd and listened to its shouts. Jimsmiled.Hewasawinner...

Thetallboxerandhismanagersteppedoutthroughthesideentranceintoacrowdofaboutahundredwell-dressedsupporters.

"Just signyournamefora fewof them,"saidJoe. "Leave themwantingmore."

"Doyouwanttosignmynameforme,too?"Jimaskedhismanagerwithasmile.

People crowded around Jim. He liked them; he liked the fact that theylovedhim.

"Youwinsome,youlosesome,Johnston,"saidJoe.Jimlookedup.Hismanagerwastalkingtoabigmanwhohadcomeoutof

thesamesideentrance.JimmyJohnstonorganizedthefightsatMadisonSquareGarden.Noboxer fought therewithout his permission. Johnston andmen likehimruledtheworldofboxing.TonightJohnstonhadwantedGriffithstowinthefight.BraddockwassupposedtobeaneasywinforGriffiths.

Jimtouchedhismanager'sarm."Leaveit,"hesaid.ButJoecontinuedtalking."Maybeyousupportthewrongguys?Griffiths

washeavierthanmyboy,andwhathappened?Jab,cross..."

"Actually,itwasjab,jab,cross,"saidJim.Hedidn'tliketoseeJoearguingwithamanaspowerfulasJohnston.ButthelittlemanagerhadalwayssupportedJim,andthefightercouldn'tlethismanagerstandalonenow.

"Jab, jab, cross!" repeated Joe. "And then your boy's out! Somaybe noone'saloser?Right,Johnston?"

Loser.Jimhatedthatword.Somepeoplehadsaidthathisearlyopponentswere no good. Easy fights. Losers. So what did that make Jim? But aftertonight...afterGriffiths...whatcouldtheysaynow?

JoeGouldandJimmyJohnstonstaredhardateachother.Just like insidetheboxingring,timeseemedtostretch.AndthenJohnstonturnedandwalkedtohiswaitingcar.

Jimshookhishead.Hislittlemanagerhadnocontroloverhismouth."I'llgetusataxi,"hesaid.

But Joe pointed to a big, shiny new car across the street. "You have toshowyou'redoingwell,"hesaid.Themanagerorganizedhislifebythisbelief-expensive clothes, the best restaurants, and now this car. A uniformed driveropenedthebackdoor,andthetwomengotin.

Through the car's windows, New York seemed alive. The city's brightlightsshoneandpeoplelaughedandtalkedastheywenttoshowsandclubs.Itwasanexcitingtimetoliveinthecity.Tallbuildingsweregoingupeverywhere,andeverybodyseemedtobegettingrich.JimBraddockandJoeGouldwantedapieceofthatsuccess,too.Theyhadevenstartedtheirowntaxicompany.

"Let'sgotoaclub,"saidJoe."Youshouldbeseenintherightplaces..."ButJimjustsaid,"Home,Joe."With a shake of his head, Joe told the driver, and the car turned toward

NewJersey.ThishadbeenJim'shomesincesoonafterhisbirth.HisparentshadmovedfromIreland toNewYork, lookingforabetter life.Later, for thesamereason,theyhadmovedtheirfamilyacrosstheHudsonRivertoNewJersey.

Here Jimhadgrownupa typicalAmericanboy.By the timehe stoppedgoingtoschool,hisolderbrotherhadstartedtobox.OnedayheandJimbegantoargue,andsoontheywerefighting.Althoughhisbrotherwasbiggerandhadmuchmoreexperience, Jimdidn'tdobadly.That'swhenhe realized-maybehecouldbeawinnerintheboxingring.

Notlongafterthis,hehadfirstmetJoeGouldinalocalgym.Joeneededsomeone to trainwithoneofhisboxers,andheoffered fivedollars to the tallteenager. Jim had gone into the ring and given Gould's boxer a lesson. Themanager had stayedwith Jim since then, through one hundred amateur fights,andthenthroughallhisprofessionalfights.

Now the car turned onto Jim's tree-lined street in a nice, quietneighborhoodofNewark,NewJersey'sbiggestcity.JoepulledsomecashoutofhispocketandbegantocountoutJim'sshareoftheprizemoney.

'Doyouwanttocomein?"askedJimasthecarstoppedoutsidehishouse."Thekidswouldlovetoseeyou."

Joepaused."Areyoustillmarriedtothesamegirl?""Iwasthismorning,"answeredJim."I'llcomeinanothertime,"saidJoe."AndtellherIdidn'tchargeyoufor

thetowels."AsJimclimbedout,heforcedhimselfnottolaugh.JoeGouldwasafraid

ofnothingintheworldofboxing,butheturnedandranfromJim'swife,Mae,withherhardquestionsabouttheprizemoneyandJim'sshareofit.

Thefrontdoorofthehousewasopennow,andthere,inthegoldenlightofthehall,wasMae.Herpalefacewasseriousasshewaited.Fromthefirsttimehehadmether,Jimhadlovedher.Hemovedtowardhernow,tellinghimselfhewasaluckymantohaveawifelikeMae.

When Mae Braddock saw her husband, the dark cloud of worrydisappeared.Shecouldbreatheagain.Feelagain.

Fightnightwasalways like this forMae.In theafternoon,Jimmykissedhergoodbye.Thenshejustwatchedtheclockandhopedthathewassafe.ThelonghoursfulloffearonlyendedwhenJimcamehome.

Sheknewthatmendiedinthering.Notoften,butithappened.Andiftheydidn'tdie,theywerehurt,badly.Maedidn'tunderstandthesport.Toheritwasaworldofpainanddanger.Butshelovedherhusband,andsoshetriedtosupporthim.

MaeTheresaFoxhadgrownupneartheBraddockfamilyinNewJersey.ShehadalwayslikedbigJimBraddock,andhelovedMaefromthetimehefirstmether.ButJimwasshy,andittookhimalongtimetoaskMaetomarryhim.

Hesaidthathewantedtowaituntilhehadenoughmoneytobuyanicehome.Whenhehad$30,000fromhisprizemoney-asmallfortune-hefinallyasked.Ashewaitednervously forher answer,Maenoticed the sweaton Jim's face.Shecouldn'tstopherselffromlaughing.Themoneydidn'tmattertoher-ofcourseshewouldmarryhim!

Now Mae looked at her husband. She knew that Griffiths had beenexpected towin tonight's fight.Her eyesasked thequestion, and Jim's answerwasaslowshakeofthehead.Maelookedaway.ShehatedtoseeJimmyinpain-that'swhysheneverwent to the fights-andshehated to seehim like this.ButthenshelookedupandsawJimmysmile.Hehadwon!

"Icouldkillyou,"saidMae,kissingherhusband.Jim's two sons ran into the hall. They jumped around their father's legs,

shoutingwithexcitement."Daddy,didyouwin?"criedfour-year-oldJay.Howard,whowasonly three,was justhappy thatDaddywashome. Jim

picked the boys up and kissed them.My littlemen, he thought.His eyesmetMae's.Mylittlefamily.

Jim told themallabout the fight,acting itoutpunchbypunch. Itwasn'teasy for Mae to put the boys to bed after that. When she had checked theirsleepingbabygirl,Rosy,shesatdowntoeatdinnerwithJimmy.

"SodidGriffithshaveabigpunch?"sheasked."Youcouldcomeandwatchmefight,"suggestedJim.But Mae looked away. "You get punched, and it feels like I'm getting

punched.ButI'mnotasstrongasyou..."Sheforcedherselftosmile."Andwhowantsnewspaperstoriesaboutmerunningoutfromafightagain?"

Jimrememberedwhenthishadhappened.Hisopponenthadknockedhimdownthatday,andMaehadseenit.Jimstillrememberedthelookoffearonherface. Itdidn'tseemtomatter thatJimhadwonthefight in theend.After that,MaebravelycontinuedcomingtowatchJimbox.Hedidn'tknowhowpainfulitwasforheruntilafewfightslater.Jimwashavingabadnightandhetookalotofpunishment.Notabletowatchanymore,Maehadrunoffbeforethefinalbell.Areportersawhergo,andthestorywasinthenewspapers.Maeneverwenttoafightagain.

Nowshelookedatherhusband."Werethereanygirlswaitingoutsideafterthefight?"

"Maybe,"saidJimwithasmile.Mae moved around the table. She spoke in a different voice now,

pretending to be oneof thewomen. "Oh,Mr.Braddock," she said. "You're sostrong.Yourhandsaresobig."

Maemovedinclose,andshewasn't jokingnowwhenshesaid,"Iamsoproudofyou,Jimmy."

That night, as he got ready for bed, Jim stood in the bedroom of hisbeautifulhome.He lookedat theirweddingpicture.Thenhe tookoff thegoldcrossfromaroundhisneckandkissedit,lookingathisownfaceinthemirror.Itwasthefaceofaluckyman.Aluckymanandawinner.

CHAPTERTWO

HardTimes

Newark,NewJersey,September25,1933

JimBraddocklookedthroughthedrawersbelowthesamemirrorthathadshownhimthefaceofaluckyman.Dressingwasquickthesedays:hejustputonwhatMaehadwashedor fixed thenightbefore.Hedidn't have tokisshisgold cross for luck.Hehad sold it years ago.Everyone's luckhad gone now-evenJimBraddock's.

Somethingmovedoutsidethewindow,probablyarat.Thiswasjustapartoflifewhenyoulivedinasingleroominadirty,crowdedapartmentbuilding.BehindJim,histhreehungrychildrensharedabedinthecoldfamilybedroom.Maehadhungablanketacrosstheroomtoturnoneroomintotwo.

He looked again at his andMae'sweddingpicture. In the last fewyearstheyhadlosttheirhouseandmostoftheirfurniture,buttheywouldalwayshavethis.Inthepicture,Maelookedbeautiful;Jimstoodnexttoher,wearingasuithedidn'townnow.Thecoupleinthephotosmiled,notknowingthehardfuturethatwasahead.ButJimlikedtolookatthepictureeveryday.Itremindedhimofthegoodthingsinhislife.

Hesteppedintothekitchen,whereMaewascookingbreakfast.Shelookeddifferentnow-thinner,withdarkcirclesunderhereyes.ButtoJimshewasstillbeautiful.

"Ican'tfindmysocks,"hesaid."Jim!"whisperedMae,butitwastoolate."Mom, Iwant to eat, too," said littleRosy, pushing through the blanket.

Maebegantocutanotherthinpieceofmeat."Sorry,"saidJim.Rosycouldn'trememberlivinginabighouse,surroundedbynicethings,

withnewclothesandplentyoffood.Thegirlclimbedontoherfather,andJimheld her close to him. He hated seeing his children grow up like this; it washarderthananyfight.

"Wegotafinalbill,"saidMae,"forthegasandelectricity."

Jim's shoulders fell. He took down ajar from the shelf, where they kepttheirmoneyfora"rainyday."Heshookitandlistenedtothefewcoinsinthejar.

"It'sclearlybeenrainingmorethanIthoughtrecently,"hesaid.Maepickedupthreedishesandputathinpieceofhotmeatoneachone.

Jimbegantocutuphisdaughter'sfood."I'mfightingAbeFeldmantonight,"hetoldhiswife.Hedidn'ttellherthat

Feldmanhadlostonlyonefightinnineteen.Instead,hetoldherwhathewouldearn-fiftydollars,morethanhecouldearninonewholeweekonthedocks.

Maecouldn'thide theoldfear inhereyes.Sincehard timeshadhit theirfamily-and the whole country-she had started to hate the ring, with itspunishmentsanditsemptypromises.

"Mommy,Iwantsomemore,"saidRosy.JimlookedatMaeandRosywiththeiremptyplates."Mae,Ihadadream

lastnight,"hesaid,standingfromthetable."IdreamedthatIwashavingdinneratanexpensivehotel,andIhadabig,thicksteak."Heputonhisoldcoat."Ihadsomuchfood,I'mjustnothungrynow."Hespokemorequietlytohisdaughter."Canyouhelpme?Mommycookedthis,andIdon'twanttohurtherfeelings."

Rosywasn'tsurewhethertobelievehim,butJimmovedthemeatfromhisplatetohers.Withwideeyes,thechildimmediatelybegantoeat.

"Jimmy-"Maebegan,buthesilencedherwithakiss.Youcan'tworkonanemptystomach,hereyessaidtohim.Jim'sanswerwassimple."You'remygirls."WhenJimsteppedoutside,heremembered that thingsweren'tsobadfor

himandhisfamily.Timeswereevenharderformanyotherpeople.Hewalkedpastold,brokencarsnexttotrashcanfires.Thoseuselesscarswerehomesnow,homestopeoplewithnojobsandnohopes.

ThispartofNewarkwasverydifferentfromJim'soldleafyneighborhood.Most of the dirty brown and gray buildings around here had brokenwindowsand paint coming off. Most of the stores were closed, and garbage cans layemptyinthestreet.Peoplethrewnothingawaythesedays.

Ten thousand factories in the New York area had been closed down.Everywhere Jim looked, he saw people without jobs. Businessmen, teachers,officeworkers,lawyers,bankers...allwerelookingforwork.Thereweremenin

four-year-old suits, happy to clean a yard for a dollar. Others stood in line atemploymentofficesfrommorninguntilnight.

Disaster had struck on October 29, 1929. Some people called it BlackTuesday,otherstheCrash.ItwastheendofAmerica'sgoodtimesinthe1920s.Theeconomyfailed,andsuddenlymillionsofpeoplewereoutofwork.Atfirst,Jimthoughtthattheproblemwouldn'tlastlong.Butthenhisbankclosedandhistaxicompanywentoutofbusiness.By1932,theBraddock'shadlosteverycentofJim'sboxingmoney

NewYorkwasn't a city of bright lights andhappyparty-goers now.Thecitywasfilledwithagraycrowdofpeoplewithouthope.Theystoodinendlesslines forsouporbread; they frozeonstreetcorners; they lookedforworkandfoundnone.Hungry,empty,hopelesspeople.

Jim'sonlyhopehadbeenboxing.Theprizemoneywas less,butboxingwas still popular, cheap entertainment.But, after the crash, Jim's success as aboxer had ended. In 1930, '31, '32-and now 1933-he lostmore fights than hewon.ItwasharderandharderforGouldtogethimgoodfights.

Jim had to look for otherwork.With somany factories closed, he triedNewark's busy docks. Early every morning, he joined the crowd looking forwork there. In thedarkand thecold, theywaitedby the lockedgateofahighfence.

At last, the foremanpulledopen thegate.He lookedat the tired,hungryfacesofthementhere.Thismanhadthepoweroflifeordeath;hecouldchangetheluckofeverymanhere.

"Ineedninemen,"hesaid.Men began pushing forward-Me! Pick me!-as the foreman counted out

workers."One,two,three..."Jimpushedforward,too,butthen:"...nine."Jim closed his eyes. After all of that waiting, it had ended in less than

thirtyseconds.Hehadn'tbeenpicked."I'vebeenheresincefouro'clock,"saidaman'svoice.Themanhadsteppedforward tocomplain. Jimhadspoken tohimonce.

HisnamewasBenand,likeJim,hehadawifeandthreekidstosupport.Theforemanbegantoturnaway,butsuddenlyBenwasholdingagunand

pointingitattheforeman'sheart.Hishandshookandhiseyeswerewild."Iwas

herefirst."TheforemanliftedhiseyesfromtheguntoBen'sface."Mymistake,"he

said."Ineedtenmen."Ben stepped through the gate. Jimwanted to look awaybut he couldn't.

Benhadjustputthegunawaywhenseveralmenfoughthimtotheground.ThatwastheendforBennow.Howcouldhehelphiswifeandkidsfromprison?

Jimspentthewholedaywalkingfromplacetoplaceandlookingforwork,withoutluck.Hourslater,hereturnedtotheapartmentbuilding.Hiseight-year-oldson,Howard,wasoutside.Jimgavehissonasmile.Howcouldayoungboyunderstand thatone in fourworkingAmericanshadno job?Aneight-year-oldchilddidn'tneedtoknowthat.

Suddenly,anotherchildranuptohim.ItwasRosy."Daddy,Daddy,Daddy!"shecried."Jaystole!"Jimcarriedhisdaughtertotheirapartment,whereMaewasstandingover

theiroldestson.Theten-year-old'sfacewasred.JimputRosydown."What'sallthisabout?"Rosypointedatthemeatonthetable."See?"shesaid.Therewasenoughtofeedthefamilyforawholeweek."It'sfromthebutchershop,"saidMae."Herefusestosayawordaboutit.

Don'tyou,Jay?""OK,"saidJimtohisson."Pickitup.Let'sgo."Jay lookedup at his father and themessage inhis eyeswas clear.Don't

makemedothis.Can'tyouseethatweneedit?"Rightnow!"saidJim.Thenhewasoutofthebuildingandmarchingtothebutchershopwithout

anotherword.Hissonfollowedslowlybehind,withthestolenfoodinhishand.At the butcher's, Jay had to give the meat back and apologize. Jim met thebutcher'seyes.Iamnotbringingupmysontobeathief.

Thebutchernodded.Fatherandsonlefttheshop.Astheywalked,Jimwassilent,givinghisboytime.

Atlast,Jayspoke."MartyJohnsonhadtogoandlivewithhisuncle.Hisparentsdidn'thaveenoughforthemtoeat."

Jimturnedtowardhisson."Youwerescared,"hesaid."Iunderstandthat.Butwedon'tsteal.Itdoesn'tmatterwhathappens.Promiseme."

Jaymanagedanod."Ipromise,"hesaid."Here'smypromise."Jimwaseyetoeyewithhisson."We'renevergoing

tosendyouaway,son."Thetearscamepouringfromthelittleboy'seyes.JimpulledJayintohis

armsandheldhimastightashecould.

CHAPTERTHREE

AnEmbarrassment

MountVernon,NewYork,September23,1933

The dressing roomwas amess. The floorwas dirty and the doorswerebroken.Theairsmelledofoldsweat.

"He'saslowguy,"saidJoeGould."Mygrandmothercouldbeathim!It'llbeaneasyfight."

Joewaswearingoneofhisusualfinebrownsuits.Jimknewnobodyelsewhohadn'tbeenruinedbytheCrash.

The manager was taping up Jim's hands before the fight. He squeezedJim'srighthand,thensawthelookofpainonthefighter'sface.Heplayedwiththehand,examiningitcarefully.

"Thisbreakneedsacoupleofweeks togetbetter,"he said. "Whydidn'tyoutellme,Jim?"

Jimdidn't lookup.Hehadfought inMarch,althoughhisrighthandwasstillhurtfromafightinJanuary.Hisopponentwasgood,andJim,fightingwitha bad hand, had lost in four rounds. But he couldn't stop fighting because heneededtheprizemoneyforhisfamily.Hefoughtseveralmoretimes,hurtinghisright hand again and again. By now he had to use drugs to control the pain.Therewasneverenoughtimeforittogetbetterbeforethenextfight.

JoeGouldknewthatitwasn'tlegaltoletaboxerfightinthiscondition.Ifsomethingwentwronginthering,itcouldmeantheendforbothJoeandJim.

"Ican'tgetanywork,"saidJimquietly."Weneedthemoney."The littlemanager thought ofMae and the children. "OK," he said. "I'll

tape your handdouble."Gould knew that double-tapingwas against the rules,too."Keepyourlefthandinhisfaceand,whenyoucan,hithimwithabigright.Ifyoufinishearly,I'llbuyyouanicecream!"

He led the boxer past the crowd toward the ring. This crowd was verydifferent from the one atMadison Square Garden years earlier. These peoplelookedpoorerandhungrier.

As Jim climbed into the ring, a radio reporter spoke into amicrophone."Justfiveyearsago,JimBraddockwasthoughttobereadytofightfortheworldheavyweighttitle.Buthehaslosttenfightsinthelastyear."

ThecrowdstartedtoshoutlouderwhenAbeFeldmanwalkedtowardthering,punchingtheair.

"Now Braddock fights Feldman," continued the radio man, "a youngfighterwhohaswonseventeentimesandlostjustonce."

Jimfroze.ThiswastheboxerJoe'sgrandmothercouldbeat?Feldman was the crowd's favorite. He was young and handsome, like

Braddockhadbeenyearsearlierwhenhehadanunbrokennoseandtwoprettyears.Braddock'sglovesfelltohissides.

JoepulledJim'sglovesbackup."Jimmy,whatareyougoingtodo?"Jimclosedhis eyesandeverythingwent away-thecrowd's shouts,Mae's

worriedlooks,Ben'sgun,Jay'ssilenttears,allthemistakesofthelastfouryears.Heopenedhiseyes.

"I'mgoingtogetanicecream!"Feldman's glove hitBraddock in the face, a hard punch. Jim tried to hit

back,butFeldmanblockedhispunches."Come on, Jimmy!" cried Gould from the corner. The manager was

sweatingalmostasmuchasBraddock,ashejabbedtheairandshoutedadvice.But Braddock could only think about the pain of Feldman's punches. Theyoungermanhithimagainandagain,butnoneofBraddock'spunchesseemedtohitFeldman,whodancedaroundhisopponenteasily.Suddenly,Feldmanthrewacombination of punches that threwBraddock back onto the ropes. The crowdbegantoboo.

"Don'tjuststandthere!"shoutedGould.BraddocksawanopeninginFeldman'sdefensesandthrewarightcross.It

hit the fighter's chin and knocked him back. Jim stepped in to finish hisopponent,butFeldmanputhisheaddownasBraddockthrewhisbigpunch.TheleatherglovehitthetopofFeldman'shead.Therewasasoundofboneonbone.ThepaininBraddock'srighthandwasterrible.HeheldontoFeldmanasthebellannounced theendof the round.The refereehad tosendboth fightersback totheircorners.

GouldquicklytookBraddock'srightgloveoff.Evenunderallthetape,hecouldseethatthehandwasreallybroken.

"Ican'tletyoucontinue,"hesaid.Jimthoughtoftheprizemoney."Icanusemyleft,"hesaid."Don'tletFeldmangettooclose,"saidGould,quicklytyingthegloveback

up."Dowhatyoucanwithyourleft."But Braddock had never had a left-hand punch. Now he couldn't even

blockwithhisright,andhisfeetfeltheavyandslow.Punchafterpunchfellonhim.

TimeusuallysloweddownforJiminthering,butnowitwasflyingpast.He began to throwout his left hand inwild jabs. Thesemissed, but then onepunchhitFeldmanonthechinandhurthim.Again, thetwoboxersheldontoeachother.Thecrowdbegantobooagainandshoutinsults:"Gohome!"

Braddockdecided thatmaybehehadonemoregoodrightpunchinhim.Hepulledhisarmbackandthrewthepunch.IthurtFeldman,butthepainwasmuchworseforBraddock.Underthedoubletape,hisrighthandwascompletelybroken.Feldmanhithimback,andagainBraddockheldontohisopponent.Healmostfaintedfromthepain.

Theangryboosfromthecrowdweresoloudthathealmostdidn'thearthebell.

"Anembarrassment!That'swhatitwas.Anembarrassment!"Jimmy Johnston, the big fight organizer, was shouting angrily at Joe

Gould,'whowasunusuallyquiet.Thirty minutes earlier the referee had ended the fight, announcing that

nobodywasthewinnerbecauseBraddockwasn'tfittocontinue."OK,OK,sohe'sfightingwhilehe'shurt,"saidJoe."Maybeyourfighters

canaffordtohaveamonth'srestbetweenfights.""Healmostneverhitshisopponentsanymore,"answeredJohnston."And

nowtherefereehastostopthefight.Afighterlikethatkeepsthepublicaway.Ticketmoneywill fall." The bigman paused. "We're taking away his boxinglicense.WhateverBraddockwasgoingtodoinboxing,he'sdoneit."

When Jim heard the bad news from his manager, he couldn't move,couldn't breathe.The dressing roomwas small and dirty, so Joe led his boxer

backintothehall.Thelightsthrewlongshadowsontheemptyring.JoebegantapingapieceofwoodtoJim'sbrokenhand."Untilyougettothehospital."

Ashetapedthehand,Joecouldn'tholdbackthememories,all thefightsandallthedreams.AllthehopesthatJimBraddockwouldbechampiononeday.Nowthosehopeslayasbrokenasthefighter'shand.

Joe clearedhis throat. "Jimmy... sometimesyou just can't change things.I'mtellingyou...It'sfinished."

Theboxerdidn'tjumpup,shout,orscream.Hewasquietforalongtime.His face was wet with tears. "Get me one more fight, Joe," said the fighter."We'redowntoourlastdollar."

"I...I'msorry,Jimmy."After all theyhadbeen through together, Joe reallywas sorry.Theyhad

stayedthebestoffriendsthroughgoodtimesandbad.Nowitreallywastheend.Tonight.Thiswasgoodbye.

Jimdidn'tevenlookupashismanagerwalkedaway, leavinghimontheseatsbesidethedarkring.Alone.

CHAPTERFOUR

ANewLife

"Oh,dearGod..."JimknewthatthiswasthelasttimehewouldseethislookonMae'sface

after a fight. "I don't have themoney," he said, too tired to find thewords tomakeiteasier."Theyrefusedtopayme, tookawaymylicense.Theysaid thatI'mfinishedasaboxer."

The fear in Mae's eyes turned to anger. She didn't care about boxinglicensesorfightrules.Sheonlycaredaboutherhusband.

"Jimmy,whathappenedtoyourhand?""It'sbrokeninthreeplaces."Maewasn't thinking about boxing now. "If you can'twork,wewon't be

abletopaythebills,buyfood...We'llhavetosendthechildrentostaywithmysister."

"Mae, I can still work," Jim said. "Get the black shoe polish from thecupboard.Nobodywillgivemeajobiftheyseethiscastonmyhand,sowe'llcoveritup."

Mae saw it in her husband's eyes then-JimBraddockwasn't going to bebeaten."I'llcutyourcoatsoyoucanputitonoverthecast,"shesaid,openingtheshoepolishandspreadingitonthewhitecast."Nowwejustneedapieceofsteakforyourface,JimBraddock!"shelaughed.

Six-year-oldRosy's face appeared around theblanket. Jim smiled at her,deciding,notforthefirsttime,thathewasaluckymantohaveMaeashiswife.

ItwasearlymorningandJimwasstandingoutsidethefamiliarlockedgateatNewarkdocks.Asthesunappearedintheeast,theforeman,Jake,walkedup.Jimputhisbrokenhandbehindhim.Thedoctorhadsaiditwouldbeuselessformonths.

"One,two,three...Asusual,Jakewalkedalongthegroup,pointingtotheworkershewanted."...five,six,seven..."Jimstoodtall."...eight..."Jake'seyesfellonJim,thentheforemanpointedathim:"Nine."

Awin! Jim stepped forward, knowing that hewas one of the lucky few

whohadworkthatday.Minutes later, Jim was meeting his new partner. The young, handsome

manintroducedhimselfasMikeWilson."Whathappenedtoyou?"heaskedJim,staringattheblackandbluemarks

onhisface."Igotintoafight,"Jimtoldtheman.Togetherthetwomenhadtomoveamountainofsacksfromoneareato

another. It took two strongmen to lift each sack, using big hooks to pick thesacksup.

Jimfoundtheworkverydifficult.Hehadneverreallyusedhis lefthandforanything.Itwasreallyhardusingthehookwithit,whiletryingtohidethecastonhisrighthand.

"Therewas a fighter called JimBraddock," saidMike. "I listened to hisfightsontheradio.There'sanotherfighterusingthenamenow,butthisguy'snogood."

JimsawthesmileonMike'sface.Healmostlaughedhimself,butthenthesackfellfromthehookinhishand.

MikesawJim'scast."Thisisn'tgoingtowork,"hesaid."Youcan'tdothisjobwithabadhand,andyoucan'tslowmedown.Ineedthisjob."

Jimgavehispartneraquicklook."Listen,Icandothis."Suddenly, a new voice shouted, "What's happening here?" It was the

foreman,andhewasstaringatJim'sbadhand.Insteadoftryingtoexplain,Jimsankthehookbackintothesackwithhis

lefthand.Thenhewaited,unabletodoanythinguntilhispartnermoved.Afterafewterribleseconds,Mikesunkthehookintohisendofthesack.Thetwomenlifted theheavysack togetherandcarried itacross thedock.Thentheymovedforanothersack,thenanother,andanother.

Jake, the foreman, stood therewith arms crossed,watching everymove.Finally,hewalkedawayJimliftedhisfacetoMike."Thanks,"hesaid.

Itwasraininghard,butMaedidn'tmove.Herplaceinthissouplinewastoovaluable.Hundredsofpeoplewereaheadofher,butalotwerebehindher,too.Theywereallwaitingforfreesoupandbreadfromthetruckattheheadoftheline.MaeheldRosyinherarms.Thetwoboysranaroundplaying.

"Youneedtostandforafewminutes,Rosy,"saidMae."Idon'twantto!"criedRosy."Thesidewalk'swet!""Who'smakingallthisnoise?"Immediately, Rosy's crying stopped.Her father appeared beside her, big

andstrongandwithasmileonhisfaceforher.AsheliftedRosy,JimtoldMae,"Igotajobatthedocks."Mae noticed something inside Jim's coat. His boxing shoes. She wasn't

surprisedtoseethem.Afewboxingorganizersinexpensivesuitscouldn'tstopherhusbandfromfighting,eveniftheyhadtakenawayhislicense.

"Areyoutrainingtoday?"sheaskedhim."Iwasthinkingofsellingthem,"saidJim."Thenwecanpaythegrocerby

theendoftheweek."Mae didn't know what to say. At last she said, "Don't take less than a

dollar,Jim."Hesawthetearsinhereyes."Gohome.I'llstandinline."She handed him the empty pot and took the children home. Jim's eyes

followedthem,andthenhelookedforwardagain, turninghiscollarupagainstthe wind. The soup truck seemed far, far away, but Jim had become good atwaiting.

Hours later, familiar sounds greeted Jim's ears - hitting punching bags.ThiswasthegymthatJimhadtrainedinforyears.ItwastheplacewherehehadfirstmetJoeGould.Evennow,partofhimwantedtogetintotheringandfight.

Asheentered thegym, theusual smellof leather and sweathithim.Helookedatalltheboxerstraininghard.

"Jimmy!"saidafriendlyvoice."Haveyoucometotrain?"ItwasJoeJeannette,theownerofthegym.Theoldfighterhadneverbeen

a champion, but he had always been a hero to Jim.A great boxerwith quickhandsandaknockoutpunch,Jeannettehadbeenoneofthebestheavyweightsinthecountry.Buthewasablackman,andfewwhiteboxersagreedtofighthim.Jeannetteneverhadthechancetofightforthetitle.ButJeannettecouldn'tstayaway from the fight game.He had become a referee, and he had opened thisgym.Hewasnevertoobusytogiveadvicetoayoungboxer.

Jimtried toreturnJeannette'ssmile,buthecouldn't.Heput thesouppotdownandpulledhisboxingshoesoutofhiscoat.

Afewminuteslater,JoeGouldsteppedontothegymfloor.Hewasheretoseeanewboxer,notJimBraddock.JoewatchedasJimhandedhisboxingshoestoayoung,blackboxer,whopaidJimtencents.ThenJimpickeduphissoupandbreadandturnedtowardthefrontentrance.

JoeJeannettelookedupandsawthemanagerstandingat thebackofthegym.HiseyesheldaquestionforJoe,butJoejustshookhisheadandsteppedbehindthedoor.

'It'sbetterforbothofusifJimdoesn'tseeme',Joethought.

CHAPTERFIVE

BrokenPromises

Jim sat at the kitchen table reading out President Franklin DelanoRoosevelt'sspeechfromthenewspaper.HetriedtofindhopeinthePresident'swords.AccordingtoRoosevelt,therewasonlyonethingforAmericanstofear-"fearitself."Maecountedoutcoinsfromtherainy-dayjar.

Jim'sweekhadbecomeanunendingstringofgraymorningsandsweatyafternoonsofhardworkatthedocks.JimandMikeworkedtogethereveryday,andJimdidalltheworkwithhislefthand.Intheevenings,hehadanotherjob-more long, hardworkwith only his left hand.Maewas usually asleep on thesofabythetimeJimgothomeatnight.

Thatnightshewaswokenbythesoundofcoinsdroppingintothejar.Shesawherhusbandwalktowardtheirbed.

Jimlookeddownattheclean,whitesheets.Hewantednothingmorethantofallintothem,butthenhelookeddownathisowndirty,sweatybody,andlaydownonthefloor.

"Jimmy,"Maewhispered."Wecanwashthesheets."But Jimwas already asleep.Mae pulled the covers off the bed and lay

downonthefloor,besideherhusband.The winter of 1933-34 was one of the coldest in recent memory. One

morning,Mae and Rosywalked with the boys to school. Theywere walkingback down the snowy street when Mae saw a shiny new car outside theirbuilding.

"Mommy,who'sthemanatourhouse?"askedRosy.Maewalkeduptotheman,whoseuniformshowedthathewasthegasand

electricityman."CanIhelpyou,sir?""I'm sorry, ma'am. You haven't paid the bills, and I have to cut your

electricityoff."Themanwasinhisthirties,buthiseyeslookedolder."Youcan't,"saidMae."Wehavekids.Please.""IfIdon't,I'lllosemyjob,"saidthemansadly.

Workatthedocksfinishedearlythatday.JimandhisworkpartnerMikestartedwalkingaroundlocaltowns,lookingforwork.Therewasnoneanywherethatday.Tiredandcold,theystartedforhome.

"Wehaveuntiltomorrow,"criedaloudvoice.Jim'sstepsslowed.Across thestreet,ayoungmanwasarguingwith two

citypoliceofficers.Hiswifestoodbesidehim,fightingbacktears.Thecouple'sfurniturewasonthesidewalkallaroundthem.Theofficersweremovingthemfromtheirapartment.

The two officerswore fine, new uniforms. The younger of the twowaspolite. The older man had heard every excuse before, and he was tired oflistening.

Jimwatchedastheyounghusbandtriedtopullapieceofpaperoutoftheofficer'shand.

"Thissayswehaveanotherday,"hecried."Come on," saidMike, pulling Jim's arm. But Jimwas alreadymoving

acrossthestreetandMikewentwithhim."Youcan'tdo this," theyoungwomanwassaying. "We'llnevergetback

in."Her husband jumped in front of the officers as theymoved to fit a new

locktothebuilding'sfrontdoor."Please,I'mstartingafactoryjobnextweek..."Theofficerspushedhimawayandputthelockon."Excuseme," saidMikepolitely, then louder: "Excuseme!"Theofficers

stared at him. "Please can I have a look at that notice?The law says that I'mallowed to."Hesteppedforward."Letme justhavea lookat thedateon it. Ifeverything'sOKwithit,we'lljustwalkaway."

"Or else what?" demanded the younger officer. The older officer waslookingatJim.

Mikesmiled."YouguysknowJimBraddock,don'tyou?"The older officer's attitude changed immediately. "I've seen you fight,

Jim,"hesaid.Mikelookeddownatthedocumentintheolderman'shand."Whatdoyou

say,guys?Mistakeshappenallthetime."

Theofficernodded."Maybewegotourdaysmixedup,"hesaid,removingthelockfromthedoor.

Asthetwoofficerswalkedaway,MikeandJimbegantohelpthecouplemovetheirfurniturebackinside.

"Soyou'realawyer?"askedJim.Mikeshookhishead."Abanker,butIhiredenoughlawyerstohaveagood

ideaofthelaw.Itdoesn'tmatternow...Ilostitallin'29."HelookedJimintheeyes. "Youknow, therearepeople living inCentralPark.Thegovernmenthasfailedus.Weneedtoorganize.Fightback."

Jim shook his head. "Fight what? Bad luck? You have to trust that thegovernmentwillsolvethingsintheend.IlikewhatPresidentRooseveltsays."

"Forget Roosevelt!" shoutedMike. "He hasn't givenmemy house backyet!"

Jimlookedinsurpriseattheterribleangerinhisfriend'seyes.Theblanketdidn'thanginthemiddleoftheroom.Nowthethreechildren

haditaroundthem,astheylayinbed.Jimcouldseetheirbreathinthecoldair.Everypieceofclothingintheapartmentwaspiledontopofthem.

Hecrossedtheroomandthrewapieceofawoodensignontothefire inthestove.Maeemptied therainy-day jaronto the table.Shebegan topush thecoinsaround.

"Six dollars and seventy cents," said Jim, joining his wife. "Howmuchwoulditcosttoturntheelectricitybackon?"

Thirty-threedollarsandtencents,"whisperedMae.If I work twenty-six hours out of every twenty-four, it still won't be

enough." Jim seemed suddenly weaker. He looked at Mae. "Think of all theotherguyswhowantedtomarryyou."

"Whathappenedtothoseguys?"jokedMae,thenshesqueezedhishand."ImarriedtheguyIlove."

Awet cough fromacross the room interrupted them. "It'sHoward," saidMaesadly."He'sbeensicksincethisafternoon."

WhenMaewokeupthenextmorning,Jimhadalreadygoneoutintotheterriblecold.Shespent themorning trying tokeep thechildrenwarm,burning

piecesofwoodtheyhadtakenfromsignsinthestreet.Howardlayclosetothestove,hisfaceredwithfever.Fightingbackthetears,hismotherheldaglassofwatertohislips.Theboywasgettingsicker.

Notwantingherchildrentoseehercry,Maerushedoutthedoorandstoodinthesnow.Bittertearsrandownherface.

Shecaredonlyaboutkeepingthisfamilytogether.Jimwaskillinghimselftryingtodothis,butitwasn'tworking.Nowtheyhadlosttheirheatandelectricpower.Maeknewwhat shehad todo.She rushed inside todressher childrenwarmlyforthetripacrosstherivertoNewYorkCity.

As Jim stepped through the door, the apartment was as cold as the airoutside. He met silence. No little bodies ran to him with open arms. By thestove,Maesatalone,staringintothedyingflames.Shecouldn'tmeethiseyes.

"Howard was getting worse," she explained. "Then Rosy started to getsick."

"Wherearethey,Mae?""Theboysareatmyfather'shouse.Rosy'sgoingtostaywithmysister.We

can'tkeepthemwarm,Jim."Jim'semotionswerealmost toostrongforwords-fear,sadness,anger.He

pointedafingeratMae."Youdon'tdecidewhathappenstoourchildrenwithoutme."

Maestoodandheldhisarms."Jimmy,iftheygetreallysick,wedon'thavethemoneyforadoctor."

"Ifyousendthemaway,thishasallbeenfornothing,"hesaidangrily."Itmeansthatwelost."HeshookMae'sarmsoff."ImadeapromisetoJay,doyouunderstand?Ipromisedthatwewouldneversendhimaway."

Withoutanotherword,heturnedandwalkedacrossthefreezingroomandoutofthedoor.

Laterthatafternoon,hestoodatthewoodencounteroftheNewarkreliefoffice.Anunsmilingwomancountedouttwelvedollarsandeightycents,whichsheplaced in awhite envelope. Jim'shand shookashe signed for themoney,tryingnottoblamehimselfforwhathehaddone.Ashamed,heputtheenvelopeintohispocket.

He pushed hisway through the unhappy crowd.Theywere lawyers and

dockworkers,teachersandfactoryworkers.Bankersandbuilders.Now,unabletoearnmoneythemselves,theywereheretoreceivemoneyfromthestate.Somewere so ashamed that, like Jim, they looked only at the floor. Others lookedstraightaheadwithemptystares.

AfterJimcrossedtherivertoManhattan,hewalkedpastallthehomelesspeople in the city who seemed to have no hope. The story was the sameeverywhere:Nowork.Nomoney.

At last, Jim reached the streets around Madison Square Garden. Therewere no bright lights now, no people in expensive clothes waiting outside.Instead,homelesspeoplesearchedforanythingtheycoulduse.

Jimwenttothefamiliarsidedoor.Thesignforthenextfightshowedtwoboxersstandingwithglovesup.Jimrememberedwhenhispicturehadbeenonsignslikethis.HerememberedthefightwithTuffyGriffiths,thedreamofthatnightwhenthefuturelookedbrightforJimBraddock.

But then another, less happy memory came to mind-the fight againstTommyLoughran.ItwasJuly1929-justfourmonthsbeforetheCrash.Jimwasfighting for the title of light heavyweight champion, but it was the fight thatturnedBraddockintoaboxerof"failedpromise."

The New York crowd had wanted Braddock to win, and the fight hadstartedwell, too.But things changed in the second round. Loughran began todance around the ring, dodgingBraddock's punches easily.He had discoveredBraddock'sbiggestweakness-noleft-handpunch.

In the restof the fight,Braddockhadhit the championwith a fewgoodpunches, but it wasn't enough. The judges all decided that Loughran was thewinner.Thenewspapersweren'tkindtoBraddock,whohadlookedslowinthelastthreerounds.Hisdreamofwinningthetitleseemedtobeatanend.

Now,yearslater,JimstoodintheshadowsinMadisonSquareGardenandsaid the samewords that he had said after the Loughran fight: "I don't knowwhatwentwrong."

He opened the side door and started up the stairs. The climb to theMadisonSquareGardenboxingclubwasthehardestofhislife.Theclubwasaplacewheretherichmoney-makersofNewYork'sboxingworldcouldrelaxanddobusiness.Itwasn'thighabovestreetlevel,butitwaslikeanotherworld.

Atfirst,nobodynoticedasJimBraddockwalkedintothesmokyroom.He

wentuptotwomeninthecenteroftheroom."Mr.Allen...Phil..."Themenlookedupatthefighter.Othersnoticedandconversationsaround

theroomdied.Jimclearedhisthroat."I'mherebecausewecan'taffordtopaytheheatingbills.Wehadtosend

ourkidsaway...Ijustneedenoughmoneytogetmychildrenback."Jimtookoffhishatandstretcheditout.

The whole roomwas silent now.Mr. Allen put his hand in his pocket."Sure,Jim."HeplacedafewcoinsintoJim'shat.

"Thankyou,"repliedJim.Thenheofferedhishattotheothersaroundtheroom. Everybody gave somemoney-even Jimmy Johnston, theman who hadtakenawayJim'slicense.

Finally,JimstoppedinfrontofJoeGould."I'msorry,Joe,"hetoldhisoldmanager.

"Whatdoyouhavetobesorryabout,Jim?"saidJoe."Howmuchmoredoyouneed?"

"Onedollarandfiftycents, I think,"whisperedJim.Joeplaced theexactamountinJim'shat.

When Jim left the club, it was dark outside and streetlights lit the icysidewalks.Jimwalkedpastastorethathadgoneoutofbusiness.Hisfacelookedback at him from the dark glass of the store window. He had seen that lookbefore.Itwasonthefaceofthemaninhisoldsuitsellingapplesonthestreetcorner.ItwasonthefaceofthebankerwaitinginlineforhoursattheNewarkreliefoffice.

Jimhadneverunderstoodhowaproudmancouldsinksolow.Now,withthe money in his pocket to get his children back, Jim knew. He finallyunderstood.

Thenextnight,Maeopenedtheapartmentdoorandturnedontheelectriclight. Jay and Howard ran inside, followed by Jim, who was carrying thesleepingRosy.

Jimwashappytoseehisfamilytogetherandhomeagain,buthefeltotheremotions,too.Heknewnowhoweasilytheirworldcouldbedestroyed.

Hecouldn'tsleepthatnight.Whenthesunfinallyappeared,hegotupand

dressedsilently.Beforeheleftforanotherlongdayofwork,hestoodatthedoorand looked at his family. A boxer entered the ring alone. If he was knockeddown,healonecouldstandupandcontinuefighting.Jimwasalonenow,asheleftthehouseandwentlookingforwork.

CHAPTERSIX

OneFightOnly

Springhad come toNewark at last, and theBraddock familyhad joinedother families at the local church. Once a month the priest, Father Rorick,organized a birthday party for all the childrenwhose parents couldn't afford aparty.

JimandMaewatchedastheirchildrenjoinedalltheothersaroundalargewoodentablewithtwobigcakes.Everybodystartingsinging,"Happybirthdaytoyou...Happybirthdaytoyou...

JimputhishandaroundMae,happythatthecastwasoffatlast.Whenitwastimetosingthenames,thedifferentfamiliesallsangadifferentname.

"Happybirthday,dearJay,"sangtheBraddocks."Happybirthdaytoyou!"Howardpulledhisfather'sarm."Itwasbetterwhenwehadourowncake,"

hesaid.FatherRorickheardhim."DoyouknowIboxedyour fathera long time

ago?"Howard couldn't believe it.He looked at his father in surprise. "You hit

FatherRorick?""Asoftenaspossible,"saidJimwithabigsmile.MaeBraddock joined the twomen. She lookedworried. "Jimmy..." She

lookedacrosstheroad.Mike,Jim'sworkpartneratthedocks,wassittingattheendofalongtable.Hiswife,Sara,heldtheirbabydaughterinherarmsandshewasshoutingatMike.

"You'realways trying to fix theworld!"sheshouted."Whydon'tyoufixyourown family?Whatkindof fatherareyou?Tooproud to letpeopleknowthatourdaughtercan'thaveherownbirthdaycake..."

Mikestaredbackangrily."Areyoujoking,Sara?"

Everybodywatched theargument.Even thechildrenat thepartystoppedplaying.

Jim walked over and separated the angry couple. "Hey, where's thereferee?"heasked.

"Thisisbetweenhusbandandwife,Jim,"Mikesaidangrily."Howcanyoucallyourselfthat?"criedSara.Mike jumpedupangrily, and Jim stoppedhimwith a stronghand in the

middleofhischest."Calmdown,Mike,"hesaid."Havearest."ButMikecouldn'tcalmdownnow.HepushedJim."There'snoneedforthis,"saidtheboxer."JimBraddock,bigfighter..."saidMike,andhethrewapunchathiswork

partner.JimknockeditawayandthenheldMike'sarm."Mike,Idon'twanttofight

you,"hesaid."Youcouldn'tdoitinthering..."saidMikeangrily.HerushedatJimagain.JimpushedhimtothesideandMikefell,hitting

hisheadonthesidewalk."Jim,no!"screamedSara.AsMikegottohisfeet,bloodrandownhisface.Sarawentuptohim,still

holdingtheirbaby.Mikepushedheraway."Leaveme alone," he said to her and Jim.He turned and ran down the

street.Whenhehadgone,SaraturnedtoJim.Tearspoureddownherfaceasshe

cried,"Hewasn'tgoingtohitme,Jim!"Sarabegan tochaseherhusbanddown thestreet. Jim lookedupatMae,

whohadtearsinhereyes,too.'Whywasitsohardjusttocomeoverforcake?"sheasked."Maybe he just needed a little time," said Jim angrily. "It's not always

easy...Maybehejustneededalittletime!"Maeshookherfingerathim."Notatme,JamesBraddock!"shecried."Do

youhear?Iknowit'shard.Butdon'tgetmadatme!"Jim returned fromworkone afternoon and foundhis childrenplaying in

frontoftheapartmentbuilding.Rosylookedupathim."Teachmehowtofight,"shesaid."Ican't,"saidJim."I'llgetintroublewithMommy."Rosy just looked at her father with the same stare that Mae had. Jim

couldn'tsaynotothatlook."OK,"hesaid."It'sallabouthowyouholdyourbody.Putyourrighthand

hereandyourlefthere..."Jimpositionedheruntilshewasstandinglikealittleboxer.Thenshethrewapunch,whichJimcaughtinhisbighand.

"Lookatthat!"hecried."YouhaveabetterjabthanIdid!"AsheandRosylaughed,afamiliarcarstoppedoutsidethebuilding."You'reabraveman,"calledJoeGould.Jimsmiled."Notreally.Mae'satthestore."Rosy, who wasn't yet finished with her boxing lesson, threw another

punch.IthitJimrightonthechin."OK,Rosy,"hesaid."Goodpunch.NowgoandboxshadowswhileItalk

toUncleJoe."Jim looked at themanager's fine, new suit. "Still looking fashionable, I

see,"hesaid."You have to show you're doing well," answered Joe. He gave Jim a

friendly punch on the arm. "Good to see you, Jimmy." Then: "I've got you afight."

Jimwasn'tsure."Whataboutmyboxinglicense?""Theorganizerswillletyoufightonetimeonly,"saidJoe.Jimaskedthemostimportantquestion:"Howmuch?""Twohundredandfiftydollars,"Joereplied."You'reonthebigshowatthe

MadisonSquareGardenBowl inLong IslandCity..."Hepaused."... tomorrownight."

Jim turned andwalked away.He couldn't believe that his old friend andpartnerwouldplayajokelikethisonhim.

Joe chased after him. "You fightCornGriffin, Jimmy... the number twoheavyweightintheworld.Heneedsafightbeforeheboxesforthetitle."

Jim'seyesweredangerous."Joe,thisisn'tfunny.""No one's trying to be kind to you.Griffin's opponent got cut and can't

fight.Theyneededsomeonetheycouldthrowintheringimmediately.NobodywilltakeafightagainstGriffinwithouttraining,so..."Joelookedaway."I...toldthem that Griffin could knock out a guy who has never been knocked outbefore...You'remeat,Jimmy...Theyjustneedsomebodytostandinthatringandbeknockedout."

Finally,JimsmiledandputahandonJoe'sshoulder.Thenhelookedhismanagerintheeye."Joe.Fortwohundredandfiftydollars,I'dfightyourwife."

WhenMaegot home later, shewasn't happy about the news. Jim talkedmore-abouthowitwasonlyonefight,abouthowlonghewouldhavetoworkatthedocksforsomuchmoney.

Intheend,MaetoldJimtotakethefight.Butthatnightshesatonthesofainthedarkandwatchedhersleepinghusbandthrougheyesredfromcrying.

Thenextmorning,thethreechildrenwereoutsideearly,buttheydidn'tgoout to play. They walked to the local butcher shop. Rosy knocked on thewindow.

Sam,thebutcher,lookeddownatthethreechildren."We'reclosedtoday."His eye fell on Jay, remembering the timewhen the boy had stolen from hisshop."Well,lookwho'shere.ShallIlockeverythingup?"

Jay'sfacewasred,buthebravelystoodbyhissister,whowalkeduptothecounter.

"Ineedapieceofmeat,please,sir,"shesaid."Steak.""Doyouhaveanymoney?"RosyshookherheadandthelookinSam'seyesbecamesofter."Ican'tjust

givethemeataway.""It's not forme... It's for my dad," Rosy replied. "He needs it to win a

boxingfight."

CHAPTERSEVEN

BackintheRing

LongIslandCity,NewYork,June14,1934

Jim'snamewasn'tevenon thesign,buthedidn'tcare.Twohundredandfiftydollarsandthechancetopunchsomethingrealweretheonlythingsonhismind.

Joe Gould didn't knowwhat to think about the fight. The manager hadtriedtogetBraddockbackintheringsincethetimeJimhadwalkedaroundtheboxing club with his hat in his hand. Joe had pushed his way into JimmyJohnston'sofficeagainandagain,tryingtogetJimafight.

HehadbeenoutsideJohnston'sofficewhenthefightorganizergotthebadnews about Griffin's opponent, just two days before the big fight. This leftJohnston with a problem. Griffin was a promising young star in the boxingworld,andJohnstonwantedtogettheNewYorksportsworldinterestedinhim.The young Southern boxer needed to beat a fighter in the citywho had oncebeen a big name. Now it seemed that Jim Braddock was the right choice-especiallyasBraddock'smanagerwaswaitingoutsideJohnston'soffice.

Joe had accepted the offer, but now, on fight night, hewasworried.HeknewthatJimhadn'tfoughtinoverayear.Exceptfortoday,hehadn'ttrainedina longtime.Hehadevensoldhisboxingglovesandshoes.Joehadtoborrowsomesothathisboxercouldfight.

As the manager bent to tie up his boxing shoes, Jim smiled. "We bothknowwhatthisis,Joe.It'sachanceformetoearnsomemoneyformyfamily.Andit'sachancetosaygoodbyetoboxinginabigfightinfrontofabigcrowd."

Suddenly,therewasaloudnoisefromJim'sstomach."Whatwasthat?"criedJoe."Wegottothesouplinetoolatethismorning,"saidJim."Thefoodwasall

gone."Joe jumped to his feet. "How are you going to fight with an empty

stomach?"heshouted.Heranfromtheroomandappearedafewminuteslaterwithabowlofthickmeatsoupinhishand."Eatfast,"hesaid.

"Where'sthespoon?"askedJim.Hebegantoputonehandintothebowl."Stop!"cried Joe. "Idon'thave time to tapeyourhandsagain. I'll finda

spoon!"Joe rushed out again, but Jim couldn'twait.He pushed his face into the

bowlandbeganeating.Hedidn'tnoticethechangingroomdooropening."Idon'tbelieveit!AmIseeingaghost?"saidavoice.Jimlookedup,with

foodonhischin.AyoungmanatthedoorwasgivingJimanunpleasantsmile."Isn't that James J. Braddock?When I saw the name, I thought it must be adifferent guy." The man stepped into the room and took out a reporter'snotebook."How'syourrighthandnow,Jim?"

Jim'seyesnarrowedasherecognizedthereporter.Hesaidtheman'sname:"SportyLewis."

Jim remembered what Lewis had written about his fight with TommyLoughran.Herepeatedthereporter'swordstohimself:"Loughrandestroyedtheunskilled New Jersey fighter. The fight was a funeral with the body stillbreathing."

Lewis saw the look in Jim's eyes and stopped smiling. "I don't fight thefights,Braddock.Ijustwriteaboutthem."

JimsteppeduptoSporty,toetotoeandeyetoeye."Savethatgarbageforyourreaders,"hesaid.

Suddenly, the door opened and an official pointed at Jim. "It's time," hesaid.

Jimlefttheroom,keepinghiseyesonSportyLewis's.Sportystaredafterhim,paleandshaken.

"Thatguy,"hesaidtotheofficial."Whataloser!"Minuteslater,Sportywasbackinhisseatbythesideoftheboxingring.A

youngreporternexttohimasked,"Who'sJimBraddock?""Getyourpencilout,kid,"SportyLewissaid."Ihaveyourstoryforyou:

'ThewalkfromthechangingroomtotheringwastheonlytimetonightthatJimBraddockwasseenonhisfeet.'"

"Inthiscorner,CornGriffin!"Griffinjumpedtothecenteroftheringandliftedhisthickarmsabovehis

head.The tallyoungboxerworeaconfident smileonhis face.Hewasyoungandpowerful,anaturalheavyweightwithlongarmsandabigpunch.

"Andinthiscorner...fromNewJersey...JimBraddock!"Thecrowdweresilent.When the bell rang,Griffin came out punching hard and fast. Braddock

danced and dodged, doing everything possible to keep away from Corn'spowerfulpunches.After thirtyseconds,Braddockdecided that this fightwasabad idea.His opponent had trainedhard andwas ready to fight.He timedhisjabsandpunchestoBraddock'sbodyperfectly.Jim'sonlygoalnowwastofinishthe fightwithoutgettinghurt.Hehad tobeable toworkat thedocks thenextday.

Suddenly,abig left-handpunchfromGriffinhitBraddockonthesideofthehead.Hewentdown.Ashelaythere,theclocksseemedtostop.

"Braddock'sdown!"criedtheannounceroverthecrowd'sboos."One... two... three... " counted the referee. Braddock tried to get to his

feet."Four...five...six..."Braddockwasononeknee,buttherefereecontinuedcounting."Getupanduseyourleft!"Gouldcalledtohisfighter.Finally,Braddockstood.Therefereewalkedovertohimandcheckedhis

eyesandthecutinhismouth."It'sfinished,Braddock,"hesaid.Braddock looked across the ring at his opponent and joked, "He doesn't

looksobad."Buttherefereebegantolifthishandtoendthefight.Jimheldhisarmwithtwoglovedhands."Please.Letmefight."

Therefereepaused, lookinghardatJim,and thenhesteppedto theside.Thefightcouldcontinue!

Griffinwaswaitingtocontinuehisattack.Braddockansweredonepunchwitha left-hand jab. Itdidn'thurtGriffin,but Jimwas surprised thathecouldthrowaleft-handpunchatall.

Inthesecondround,GriffincontinuedtochaseBraddockaroundthering.Theyoungfighterwantedtowinbyaknockout,andJimhadtokeepmovingtododgeCorn'spunches.

Attheendoftheround,Jimsatheavilyinhiscorner.Joepouredwaterinthe fighter'smouth.When it ranoutagain into thewaitingbucket, itwaspinkwithblood.Jimhardlyheardhismanager'swords, though theywerescreamedintohisface.

"He'shalfastepbehindyou!"shoutedJoe."Movetothesideandseewhathappens.Hithimwithtwojabsandthenthebigpunch."

The bell rang for the third round. Braddock moved out of his cornerslowly; Griffin came out punching. Remembering Gould's advice, Braddockmovedhisshoulders tooneside.Griffindidn't see themoveandBraddockhithimwitharightthatsentGriffintothefloor.Therefereestartedcounting.

"That'sit!"screamedGould.Thelittlemanagerstartedtodanceandthrowpunchesintheair.

"Three..."Thereferee'scountcontinued.Joe's eyes, shiningwith happiness and surprise,met Jim's. "Where have

youbeen,JimmyBraddock?"Griffin was back on his feet, but now Jim was the one moving with

confidence.Braddockrushedforward,throwingpunchafterpunch.Gouldwasscreaming."That'sit!Sendhimhome.SendhimbackSouthor

whereverhecomesfrom!"Thepunchesdidn'tstop.Theyfelllikerainonthesoupline,likesnowon

theNewarkdocks.Finally,Braddockdeliveredahardrightpunchandsteppedaway.ThecrowdjustwatchedasGriffinfellforward.Helandedonthefloorandstayedthere.

In the silence that followed, JimsawSportyLewisnext to the ring.Thereporter'seyeswerebigwithsurprise.Thenextsecond,thecrowdwentwild.

"I can't believe it!" the radio announcer was saying. "Corn Griffin, thenumber twochallengerfor theheavyweight title,hasbeenknockedoutbyJimBraddockinthethirdround!"

BeforeheleftthedressingroomwithJoeGould,Jimfinishedthebowloffood.

"ImaginewhatIcoulddoifIhadsteak,"hejoked.On their way out, they paused to watch the end of the evening's main

event.Theheavyweightchampionof theworld,PrimoCamera,wasdefending

his title against a strong, young boxer calledMax Baer. Baer's punchwas sopowerfulthathehadoncekilledamaninthering.Thiswasthefightthecrowdhadreallycometosee.

Inthelastroundofthefight,MaxBaer'spowerfulpuncheswerefallingonCamerawithoutend.Camerafelltothefloor.

"Imagineapunchlikethathittingyou,"Joesaid.Camerawasanenormousman,butBaerwasmuchfaster.Allnighthehad

dancedanddodgedCamera's fists.Now,Camerawasbloodyandbeatenashegot to his feet, holding the rope with one glove. Baer just laughed at thedefendingchampion,knockingawayhisweakpuncheseasily.

"Primo Camera has been knocked down eleven times!" the radioannouncer was saying. "And Max Baer looks sure that he will be the nextchampion!"

Cameramovedhistiredbodytowardhisopponentforafinalattack.Thechallenger waited patiently with an ugly smile on his handsome face. WhenCamerareachedthecenterof thering,Baerdecided toend thefight, throwingpunch after punch at the champion. It was so terrible that even Joe couldn'twatch.

CHAPTEREIGHT

ASecondChance

Jimsteppedoutofthecarinfrontofhisapartmenthouse."Areyousureyouwon'tcomeinandsayhello?"heasked."Areyoustillmarriedtothesamegirl?"askedJoe.Jimgavetheusualanswer."IwasthelasttimeIlooked."Joesmiled."Goodnight,Jimmy."Thecardroveoff,andJimstoodoutsidethebuilding.TheBraddockshad

soldtheirradio,soMaeandthekidsdidn'tknowtheresultoftonight'sfight.The door opened and Jay, Howard, and Rosy looked up at him with

hopefulfaces.Maestoodsilently."Iwon,"hesaid.The children screamed and rushed toward him.Rosy pulled on his arm.

"Daddy,Daddy,youhavetoseewhatIgotyou!"Sherantotheicebox."Putitonyoureyes,"shesaid,pushingathicksteakintoherfather'shands.

Jimlookedatthemeat."Wheredidyougetthis?""Theyallwenttothebutchershop,"saidMae."Itriedtotakeitback,but

thebutchersayshegaveittoher.""It'sasteak,"saidRosy."It'llfixyourface."Jimheldthethicksteakup.Hecouldalmostsmellit,hearitcooking.He

wentdownonhisknees tospeak tohisdaughter- fighter to fighter. "Rosy,wehavetoeatthis."

ButRosyshouted,"No!Youhavetoputitonyourface."Jim knew that it was useless to argue.He lay back and placed the cool

steakacrosshiseyes.Hewaitedafewseconds,andthenliftedoneedgeofthemeat.

Jayturnedtohismother."Dotheannouncer'svoice,Mom.""Comeon,Mae,"saidJimwithasmile."Dotheannouncer."Mae'svoicebecameloud."Introducingtheholderoftheamateurtitlefor

lightheavyweightandheavyweight...fromNewJersey...thefutureheavyweightchampionoftheworld...JamesJ.Braddock."

Theselastwordswereshouted.Thekidswentwild,laughingandjumpingaroundtheroom.Jimtookthesteakfromhisface.

"Thisreallyworked,"hetoldhisdaughter."Let'seat!"Hecrossedtothestoveandstartedcookingthemeat.Soonthesoundand

thedelicioussmellfilledtheapartment."Jim,"Maewhispered. "Is it really justone fight,orare they lettingyou

backin?"Jimkissedherhead."Itwasjusttheonefight."Reliefswept throughMae.Asshewent to thestove toget thesteak,she

saidsilentthanksthatherhusbandwouldneverstepinsidetheringagain.Theearlymorningwalk to thedockswas thesameasusual,butJimfelt

different. His body ached, but his steps were quicker than they had been inmonths.

He joined the group of men at the fence. Finally, the foreman Jakeappearedandbeganpointingtomen.

"Six, seven, eight... Jake's eyes passed Jim, then returned to him. TheforemansaidJim'snameandeverybodyturnedtolook."Nine."

Jimclosedhiseyes in relief.Ashepassed through thegate,Jakesaid tohim,"Ilistenedtothefightlastnight."Hetookouthisnewspaper.Jim'seyesranoverthewords:

BRADDOCKKNOCKOUTOVERGRIFFININ3Jim shook his head, not believing it.A fewmen crowded round to hear

whathehadtosay.Theyseemedsurprisedthathehadcometoworktoday."It was one night only," explained Jim. "My share was a hundred and

twentyfivedollars.Wehadbillsofonehundredandtwentytopay.Thatleftmewithfivedollars."

Jakelaughed."Thatmakesyouarichman."Thenhesaidseriously,"Goodfight."

Jimcouldseethatthesemenaroundhim,withtheiroldclothesandtiredfaces, had found hope watching him fight. He had fought something real,

somethinghecouldsee-theyallwishedforthatchance.Hejoinedhispartner,Mike.Wordsweren'tnecessary.Thetwopickedup

theirhooksandbegantowork,movingtheheavysacks."Whydidn'tyoutellmeyouweregoingtowinagain?"saidMike."Ididn't

putanymoneyonyou."Mike smiled, but itwasn't the smile Jim remembered. Itwas tired.Less

happy."Comeon,"Mikesaid."Talkmethroughthatlastround."Jimstarteddescribingtheeventsofthelastroundagain.Sincethecasthad

comeoffhisarm,heworkedwithbothhands.Withoutthinking,hemovedthehooktohislefthandandcontinuedworkingwithsmooth,strongmovements.

Aweeklater,MaewaswalkingbackfromthestoreswithRosywhenshesawashinynewcardriveawayfromtheirapartmenthouse.JoeGould'scar.

She found Jim standing in the yard behind the building. He looked sohappy,sohandsomeandconfidentinthesun,withhissquarechinandhisbrighteyesuptothebluesky.ThenheturnedandMaefeltherheartstop.Shesawitinhiseyes-theoldexcitement.

"Joewashere,"saidJim."Hethinksthey'llletmeboxagain."ItwashardforMaetospeak."Yousaiditwasonefight.""It'smychance,Mae,tomakeyouandthekidsproud."Maefoughttocontrolherfearandanger."Iamproud...andgrateful.But

whatwouldwedoifsomethingbadhappenedtoyou?Somethingworsethanabrokenhand,soyoucouldn'twork?"

Shecouldn'teventellherworstfear:Whatwillhappenifyou'rekilled?"What would happen to us?" demanded Mae. "To the children? We're

hardlymanagingnow."Jim shook his head sadly. Hewaved a hand at the broken building, the

emptyyard.Couldn't shesee?Hewasalreadykillinghimself-andforwhat?Afewcoinsattheendofalongday'swork?"IhavetodobetterthanI'mdoing,"hereplied.

Maesteppedcloser."Thingsarebetternow.Please,Jim..."Hewantedtotakeherinhisarms,buthestoppedhimself.Hehadtothink

aboutthefamily'sfuture.Thestrengthwasclearinhisvoice."Icanstilltakeafewpunches.Atleastintheringyouknowwho'shittingyou."

Mae felt helpless as she watched him walk to the building's dark backdoor.Thisisn'tover,JamesBraddock,shepromised.

ThenextmorningJimleftearlyforthegym.Maelefttheapartmenthouse,too. She took the kids to her sister's house, and then she crossed theHudsonRivertoNewYorkCity.

ShewasgoingtothesmallpartofthecityknownastheUpperEastSide.It was an area of beautiful houses, expensive apartment buildings, and finehotels.Someof therichestpeople in thecountry livedon theblocksalong thecity'sCentralPark.

Twostreets away, thebuildingsweren't quite sobeautiful, but theywerestillhome towealthypeople. In frontofeachapartmentbuilding,auniformeddoormanstoodguard.

When she reached the tall building, she looked up, trying to guess howmanyfloorsithad.Shewentthroughthebeautifulentrancehalltotheelevator.Onthefifteenthfloor,shemoveddownthelineofdoors.

Sheknockedononeandcalledpolitely,"Openthedoor,Joe."Therewasnoanswer.Shetriedagain,andagain,butnobodycametothedoor."Joe,openthis door now!" Mae shouted. "You're not going to hide in your expensiveapartmentwhileyou turnmyhusband intoapunchingbag. Iwon't letyougethimhurtagain!"

Thedooropened."You'dbettercomein,"saidJoeGould.Asshepushedpasthim,Mae'sangerdied.Shehadexpectedthemanager's

home to be beautiful. But she looked around now at a completely emptyapartment.

Minutes later, she sat on a camping chair, drinking teawith Joe and hiswifeLucille.Shehadn'texpectedthisfriendlywelcome.

"Sorry,"saidJoe,pointingtothedoor."Peoplehavetothinkyou'redoingwell."

"Ithought..."saidMae."That's the plan," said Joe, touching his fine brown suit. "Show people

you'redoingwell,evenifyou'renot.Wesoldthelastofthefurniturelastweek,"

hecontinued,"soJimmycouldtrain.""Why?"Maeasked."Sometimes you see something in a fighter, something to hope for,"

answeredJoe."Jimmy'swhatIhopefor."Maeshookherhead."This iscrazy.Youdon'tevenknowifyoucanget

himafight,doyou?""I'llgethimafight,"Joesaid,"ifit'sthelastthingIdo."

CHAPTERNINE

NottheSameGuy

The gym owner, Joe Jeannette, looked pleased. "You've been training,Jimmy."

"I'vebeenworking,Joe.Nottraining.""Showmewhatworkyoudid.""I was lifting sacks at the dock," explained Jim. "We used a hook, like

this."Heshowedthemovement."That'stheperfectpunchingexercise,"saidJeannette."You'vebeengetting

apowerfullefthand,andyoudidn'tevenknowit."In thenext fewweeks,Braddock trainedhard.After all thosemonthsof

hardwork,itwaslikeavacationtotrainwithJeannette.Butthetrainerpushedhimhard.Everyweektherewerenewexercises,newskillstolearnandpractice.

WhileBraddockworkedatthegym,JoeGouldwasbusyinotherways.AtMadisonSquareGarden,hewalkedintoJimmyJohnston'sofficeandsatdown.

"You're going to arrange a fight between JimBraddock and JohnHenryLewis."

Johnstonlookedupfromthepapershewassigning."NowwhywouldIdothat?"

Joe smiled confidently. "Lewis is number two in line to fight for theheavyweight title, and he's already beaten Braddock once before. So putBraddockagainstLewis.IfLewiswins,yourboyhashadagoodpracticefightbefore his next opponent, and you make some money. If, by some chance,Braddock beats Lewis, you have a people's favorite, which means you makemoremoney.Whateverhappens,you'rericherwithBraddockbackinthering."Gouldsatback."Sowhatdoyousay?"

Assoonashegotananswer,Joerushedbacktothegym."Igotyouafight,"hetoldJimfromtheropes."You'regoingtofightJohn

HenryLewisagain."Jimclimbedoutofthering."Icouldkissyou."Joe took a step back. "Please don't!" The manager became suddenly

serious."Iwon'tlie,Jimmy.You'reinthisfightbecauseyou'remeat.Butifyouwinit,Icangetyouanotherone.Ifyouwinthenext,theneverythingchanges."

Jimunderstood.Heturnedtowardtheheavypunchingbag."Jimmy,"Joecalled.Jimturnedandsawtheoldfireinhismanager'seyes."Win!"saidJoe.Itwastheafternoonbeforethefight.Jimwasstillathome."Iknowthisisn'twhatyouwanted,"hesaidsoftlytoMae."ButIcan'twin

ifyoudon'tsupportme."Maeputthepileofcleanclothesdownandsteppeduptoherhusband."I

alwayssupportyou,"shewhispered.While their parentswere kissing, the three children took their chance to

run out of the apartment. They walked through the small crowd that stoodoutsidethebuilding.Soontheystoodagaininthebutchershop.

"WhatcanIdoforyoutoday?"Sam,thebutcher,asked."My dad's fighting a man who beat him badly once before," said Rosy

anxiously."Whatkindofsteaksdoyouhave?"Downtheblock,Jimsteppedoutoftheapartmenthouseandwasmetbya

smallcrowdofneighbors."We'reallsupportingyou,"saidanoldman."Takehimdown,Jim!"criedanother.Suddenly, a familiar face appeared in front of Jim -MikeWilson. They

shookhands."Iputsomemoneyonyou,"Mikesaid."Mike,everybodyexpectsLewistowin,"saidJim.ButMike just gave a confident smile. "Do you need some help in your

corner?"heasked.Jimshookhishead."Ihavemyregularguysforthat.Youknowhowitis,

Mike."Mike'sshouldersdropped,buthetriedtolaugh."SureIdo,Jim.Nowgo

andwinthefight!"

The powerful jab pushed Braddock back against the ropes. John HenryLewiswasayoungblackboxerwithquickhandsandalotofskill.HisperfectlytimedcombinationsofpunchespushedJimontotheropesagain.

"LewisisheretorepeathiswinoverBraddock,"saidtheradioannouncer.Forthreerounds,thetwofightersdancedaroundthering,lookingforthe

otherman'sweakareas.Then,inthefourthround,thefightbecameserious.Thefighterswenttoetotoe,refusingtostepback.

Inhiscornerattheendoftheround,Lewislookedconfused."Youbeatthisguyeasilylasttime!"hismanagerscreamed.Lewisjustshookhishead."Heisn'tthesameguy."In the opposite corner, Gould checked Braddock's face. The boxer was

tiredandbreathinghard,hisbodycoveredwithsweat."He'sevenfasterthanIremember,"saidJim.Gouldspokeintotheboxer'sear."He'sfast,buthe'llbeslowerafterafew

morepunches.Watchhim-healwaysmovestotheright."Bothfightersstartedroundfivelikemadanimals.Leatherglovesflew,and

neithermanbackedaway.Suddenly,BraddockhithisopponentwithapowerfulcrossandLewiswasdownononeknee.Whenthefightcontinued,Lewiswasn'tabletoprotecthimself,lettingBraddockknockhimbackontotheropes.

In theend, the judgesgave the fight toBraddock.Somesports reporterssaid thathehaddeserved towin.Otherssaid thathehad justhitLewiswithafewluckypunches.

AsJoeGouldgaveJimhisshareoftheprizemoney,hesaid,"Takecareofyourself.Ourluckhaschanged-I'msureofit."

A month later, in December 1934, Jimmy Johnston made theannouncementthatJoeGouldexpected.Hewasgoingtoorganizefightsamongthe top heavyweight boxers. Finally, one man would be chosen to fight thechampion,MaxBaer, for theheavyweight title.Johnstonhadseveralboxers inmind, but Braddock wasn't one of them. He didn't think that Braddock waslucky-hewasgood.Johnstondidn'twanttheNewJerseyboxertostopanotherofhisyoungstars.

ButGould refused to takeno forananswer.Againandagainhewent toJohnston'soffice,tryingtogetafightforhisman.

"HowaboutafightwithArtLasky?"hetried.AtfirstJohnstonrefused.But,afterhearinghowconfidentLasky'speople

were, he changed his mind. Braddock's next fight was going to be with ArtLasky.HewasayoungfighterfromMinnesotawhohadwonafewfightsintheWest.Hewasn'tasfastasLewis,buthewasbigandstrong.

The Lasky fight started well for Braddock. In the early rounds, hisopponentcouldn'tgetpastBraddock'sgloves.TheboxerfromMinnesotatookalotofpunishmentandsoonhisnosewasbloody.

Everythingchangedinthefifthround.LaskystartedhittingBraddockwithpunchafterpunchto thebody.Fightingwithnewconfidence,he tookthenextfew rounds from theNew Jerseyman. In the eleventh round,Braddock foundhimselfbackontheropes,asLasky'sfistsflewathim.

"Art Lasky is ending the story of Jim Braddock's second chance inboxing,"saidtheradioannouncer.

AbigpunchhitthesideofBraddock'sheadandhismouthguardflewout.ThecrowdwaitedforBraddocktodrop.Instead,hestoodthere,eyetoeyewithLasky.Thenhecalmlywalkedoverandpickeduphismouthguard.

"Ican'tbelievemyeyes,"saidtheannouncer."BraddockjusttookLasky'sbestpunchandithadnoeffectonhim!"

Braddock was a different fighter after that. He fought from a distance,throwingjabsatLasky'sbloodyface.Inthefifteenthround,Braddock'sglovehittheotherman'snose.Bloodshoweredthering.

"This is unbelievable!" shouted the radio announcer. "Nothing can stopBraddocknow."

As Lasky moved with increasing difficulty, Braddock hit him with acombinationofpunchesthatsenthimintotheropesatthesideofthering.ThoseropesweretheonlythingthatkeptLaskyonhisfeet.

"Andthewinneris...JamesJ.Braddock!"Theshoutsofthecrowdreachedthestreetsoutside.Byradio,theyreached

acrossthecountry.TheywereheardinBranson,Missouri,whereAncilHoffmanran to another room in the hotel he was staying in. He knocked at the doorurgently.

MaxBaer, theheavyweightchampionof theworld,opened thedoorand

lookeddownangrilyatHoffman."JimBraddock just beat Lasky," said the champion'smanager. "He's the

numberonechallengerforyourtitle."Baerrepliedwithanuglysmile."Theguy'saloser,"hesaid."TellJohnstontofindmesomebodywhocan

fightback."ThenheshutthedoorinAncil'sface.

CHAPTERTEN

NightinthePark

ThestreetsaroundMadisonSquareGardenwerequiet,butassoonasJimsteppedoutside,acrowdofaroundfiftymenclosedinaroundhimandJoe.TheywereverydifferentfromthecrowdthathadwaitedaftertheGriffithsfightyearsago.Thesemenlookedtiredandhungry.ButwhentheysawJimBraddock,hopelituptheirfacesandtheystoodtaller.

"Just sign your name for a few," said Joe with a smile. "Leave themwantingmore."

"No,Joe.TonightIsignthemall!"Jimmoved among the crowd, shaking hands and signing his name and

talkingforoveranhour.JoedidmostofthetalkingonthedrivetoNewJersey.Whentheyreached

theapartmentbuilding,Jimopenedthedoor."Goodnight,Joe.""Haven'tyouforgottensomething?"askedJoe.Hereachedintohiscoatfor

Jim'sshareoftheprizemoney.Hebegantoexplainhowhehaddecidedontheamount.

"Itrustyou,Joe,"saidJim."AndMaetrustsyou,too."Joepushedthemoneyintothefighter'shandandwavedgoodnight.WhenJimenteredthelittleapartment,heputsomeofthecashinthejaron

theshelf.Heputtherestinawhiteenvelope.Jimdidn'tsleepmuchthatnightandhelefttheapartmentbeforeMaeand

thechildrenwokeup.Thesidewalkswereemptyashewalkedtothecenteroftown.Hejoinedthelineinsidethereliefofficeandwaitedpatiently.

Finally,hesteppedup to thecounterandnoddedat thewoman.Hegaveherthewhiteenvelope.

Thewomanwasconfusedwhenshelookedatthecash."So...you'regivingusthemoneyback?"

On the way home, Jim bought twelve roses for Mae. They were veryexpensive,buthewanted toapologize fornotwakingher to tellherabout the

Laskyfight.Hehadn'twantedtocelebrateuntilhehadpaidbackthemoneytothereliefoffice.

Butwhenhegothome, itwasn't the time for celebrating.MikeWilson'swife,Sara,wassittingonthesofawithherbabygirlinherarms.Hereyeswereredfromcrying.

"Mike'sgone,"saidMaeseriously."It'sbeenthreedaysnow.""Aboutaweekafteryouleftthedocks,Jim,theforemanstoppedpicking

himforwork,"criedSara."Iwent tostaywithmybrother.Therewasn't roomforMike,sohe'sbeensleepinginCentralPark."SaralookedstraightatJim."Hesaidhewasgoingtodosomeworkforyou.Weweregoingtomeetlastnight,butMikenevercame."

Silently,Mae pointed at the jar that contained theirmoney. Jim nodded."Listen,Sara,youandMaegoandgetsomethingforthebaby'scough."

ButSarawascrying."Something'swrong.Iknowitis!"Jimmovedtowardthefrontdoor."I'llgoandfindhim."Hours later, JimenteredCentralPark.As thesunsank,heknew that the

enormousparkwasn't as empty as it looked.Since theCrashof 1929, tens ofthousandsofNewYorkerswerelivingincars,oronthestreets,orinthesubway.A lot of peoplehad started living inCentralPark.Someof thembuilt huts ortentsfromanymaterialstheycouldfind.Otherssleptwherevertheycould.Theyateanyfoodtheycouldfindorcatchorsteal.

JimhadheardthattherehadbeenalotofsheepinCentralPark.Mosthadbeenmovedaway.Now,ashesearchedforMike,Jimsawparkworkersguidingthelastsheepintoenormouswagons.Jimwatcheduntilapolicemanonahorsewavedathimtomoveaway.

Theshadowsbecamelongerasnightcame,andsoontrashcanfiresweretheonly lights in thepark. Jimwentdeeper into thepark,pasthuts and tents.Thesoundofwetcoughsfilledtheair.

"Mike!MikeWilson?"hecalled.Suddenly,tworunningpolicemenshoutedathimtogetoutoftheway.He

lookedtoseewheretheyweregoingandsawacrowdofpeoplearoundseveralpolicemen on horses. Jim heard angry shouts and saw flames. He ran to thecrowdandhadtopushhiswaythroughawallofpeopletoreachthecenter.

A group of men had fought the police here, turning one of the sheepwagons over and burning huts. The police were in control again and wereguidingthemenawaylikesheep.

There were two policemen on horses near Jim. "Wewere just trying tomove the sheep," one of them told the other. "But one of these guys startedshoutingatus.Hewasangry,verypolitical.Thentheyattackedus."

JimclosedhiseyesandrememberedallMike'sangry talk.Heknew thismustbeMike.Hebeganlookingforhisfriendamongallthefallenmenonthegrass.Hegotclosertothewagonthatlayonitsside.

"Aguytriedtofreethesheep,"apolicemanwassaying."Thehorseswerescaredandthewagonturnedover."

There was someone with his legs under the enormous wheels of thewagon.Agroupofmen lifted thewagonup,and that'swhenJimrealized thattherewasasecondmanunderthewagon,lyinginapoolofblood.ItwasMike.

Jim'sfriendwasn'tdeadyet.JimmovedthehairfromMike'seyes."Didyouwin?"Mikeasked.Hisvoicewassoftandfilledwithpain.Jimnodded."You'regoingtobeOK,Mike,"hesaid.Mikemanagedaweaknod."Iknowit..."But,inthecoldanddarkofNewYork'sCentralPark,asthesmokefrom

theburninghutsblewover themand tookawaythe lastof the light,bothmenknewthatthiswasn'ttrue.

Fewpeople came toMike's funeral. Itwas awork day andmost peoplecouldn't afford to lose a day'smoney. Only Jim andMae Braddock and theirthreechildrenstoodwithSaraWilsonandherbabydaughterasMike'sbodywasputintotheground.

Jim spokeofMike's love forhis family, hiswife.Hedidn't saywhathefelt-thatMike'sdeathwasawaste,astupid,unnecessarywaste.Jimunderstoodwhypeoplegotangry,butMike'sangerhadn'thelpedhiswifeorhisdaughter.Jimwishedhehadknownhowbadthingshadbecomeforhisfriend.Hecouldn'tforgethowkindMikehadbeentohimwhenhestartedworkingatthedocks.

Mae'sattentionwasonSara,whoseeyeswerefaraway.Sheseemedtobestaringintothelongfuturethatwaitedforherwithoutherhusband.

As she looked at Sara, part ofMaewondered if shewas looking into a

mirrorofherownfuture.Maybenottodayortomorrow-butonedayshemightloseJim.

CHAPTERELEVEN

FacetoFacewiththeChampion

MadisonSquareGarden,March24,1935

JimBraddockandJoeGouldsmiledforthecameras.Thenitwastimeforthereporters'questions.

"Jim,doyouhaveanythingtosaytoourreaders?""Noteverybodygetsasecondchance,"answeredJim.HelookedatMae,

whosatatthefrontinanewyellowdress,smilingnervously."Ihavealottobegratefulfor."

A second reporter stood. "Can you tell our readers why you gave yourreliefmoneyback?"

Jimnodded."Thisgreatcountryofourshelpsamanwhenhe'sintrouble.I'vehadsomegoodluck,soIthoughtI'dreturnthemoney."

Anotherreporterstood."MaxBaersaysthathe'sworriedhe'sgoingtokillyouinthering.Whatdoyousay?"

Maelookeddownatherhands.Jimlookedthereporter intheeye."MaxBaeristhechampion,"hesaid."I'mlookingforwardtothefight."

Thenextquestionwasfromafamiliarface.SportyLewisstoodandturnedtowardMae."Mrs.Braddock,howdoyoufeelaboutthefactthatMaxBaerhaskilledtwomeninthering?"Maecouldfindnowords."Mrs.Braddock,areyouscaredforyourhusband'slife?"continuedLewis.

Acameraappeared in frontofMae's face.Jimjumped tohis feet."She'sscaredforMaxBaer!"heshouted.

JoeGouldliftedhisarmslikeareferee."OK,OK,onemorequestion..."While Jim answered the last question, his eyes searched for Mae. She

refusedtolookup,notwantinghimtoseethedoubtsandfearinhereyes.When Jim Braddock and Joe Gould entered Madison Square Garden's

boxing club, Jimmy Johnston was waiting for them. The rich, powerfulbusinessmanwavedanewspaperatthefighterandhismanager.

"Itsaysherethatthisfightisasgoodasmurder,"Johnstonsaid,stepping

closeuptoBraddock."Thisismybusiness,andI'mgoingtoprotectmyself.YouwillknowexactlywhatBaercandobeforeyougetinthatring."

A door opened and a small man in a suit entered the room. This wasJohnston'slawyer,andhewasfollowedbyasecretary.

Johnston went to a machine and began to show a film. It showed twoboxersgettingreadytofight.OnewasMaxBaer.Johnstonsaidtheotherman'sname. "That's Frankie Campbell... A good fighter who knows how to take apunch."

The fight began. Johnston turned to Braddock. "Is Campbell's stylefamiliar,Jim?It'slikelookinginamirror,isn'tit?"

"Hedoesn'tneedtoseethis,"complainedJoe."He'llseeitorthere'llbenofight!"Johnstonwarned.On the film, Campbell stepped forward with a good left jab, almost as

goodasJim's.Baerblockediteasily,thenhitbackwithhisright.Thepunchwastoofasttosee,andithadastrange,terriblepower.Campbelljuststoodthereinconfusion,withhisglovesdownbyhisside.Thesecondpunchhitthesideofhishead. And then Campbell was down, his legswide, his eyes open but seeingnothing.

"Itwasthesecondpunchthatkilledhim,"saidJohnston."You'vewarnedus,"saidJoe."Nowstopthefilm.""No,"saidJim,surprisingbothJoeandJohnston."Showitagain."When the lightswerebackon, Johnstonstaredat Jim."RememberErnie

Schaff?Hewasagoodfighter.ErnietookoneofBaer'spunchesonthechin.Hewasdeadanddidn'tknowit. Inhisnext fight, the first jabkilledhim."Hesatbackinhischair."Doyouwanttothinkaboutthisfight?"

Jim hit his hands on the desk angrily. "Do you think you're telling mesomethingIdon'tknow?"heshouted."Howmanyguysdiedbecausetheydidn'thaveenoughfood?Orbecausetheyhadtoworklonghoursanddangerousjobstofeedtheirfamilies?I'vethoughtaboutitasmuchasI'mgoingto."

"OK,then."Johnstonlookedaway."Whydon'tyoubotheatheretonightwithyourwives?"

Thefightorganizersmiled,buttherewassomethingaboutthelookinhiseyesthatJimdidn'ttrust.

Later that day, the two men returned to the club's restaurant with theirwives.Thefourate,talked,andlaughed,asapianoplayedquietlyinthecorner.

Afterthemeal,Joepulledanewspaperoutofhispocket.Heturnedtothesports pages and began to read. "JimBraddock is back from the dead to givehopetoeveryAmerican."

Jimwassurprised."Whowrotethat?""SportyLewis.ThenewspaperiscallingyoutheCinderellaMan.""CinderellaMan?"Jimdidn'tlookhappy.Cinderellawasachildren'sstory.

Wasn'tCinderella thegirlwhohad tostayathomeandcleanwhileher sisterswenttoawonderfulpartyatthepalace?

"Ilikeit,"saidMae,squeezinghishand.Suddenly,anenormousmanwithtwoyoungwomenonhisarmswalkedin

throughthefrontdoor.Conversationsdiedaroundtheroom.Themanhadthickblack hair and the brightest blue eyes. He was wearing an expensive whitejacket,buthe lookeddangerous.Asusual, all eyes in the room turned tohim.ThiswasMaxBaer.

Jimturnedtohismanager."DoyouthinkJohnstonplannedthis?"heaskedangrily.

Joenodded."Sure.Morepicturesforthepapers."Physically, Baer was the perfect boxer. He had a narrow waist, wide

shoulders, strong legs, and long arms.Hewas young, too-at twenty-six, threeyears younger than Jim. And he had the strongest punch JoeGould had everseen-probablythestrongestpunchinthehistoryofboxing.

Joeknewthattherewerewaystobeatthechampion.Hisright-handpunchwassopowerfulthathehadn'treallyworkedonimprovinghislefthand.ButJoecouldn't forget thesightofBaerdestroyingPrimoCamera.ThebigItalianhadbeenknockeddowneleventimesinthatfight.

Joe'sattentionmovedawayfromBaerwhenawaiterarrivedwithabottleofwineandfourglasses.

"From the gentleman at the bar...Mr.Baer said I shouldwish you goodluck."

JimlookedatMae.Thebloodhadrunfromherface,leavingherpalewithworry.Hestood."Getthecoats,Joe."Thenhebeganwalkingtowardthebar.

BaergaveabigsmilewhenhesawJimcoming."Look,it'stheCinderellaMan!"heshouted.

Jim stood toe to toe with the champion. "You keep saying in thenewspapersthatyou'regoingtokillmeinthering.Ihavethreelittlekids.You'reupsettingmyfamily."

Baer moved closer. His voice was quiet as he said, "Listen to me,Braddock. I'maskingyounot to take this fight.Peopleadmireyou.Youseemlikeaniceguy,andIdon'twanttohurtyou.It'snojoke.They'recallingyoutheCinderellaMan.Well,peopledieinchildren'sstoriesallthetime."

Suddenly,asmallcrowdofreportersandphotographersranintotheclub.Baer turned to face the cameras and smiled. His voice was loud again as hestartedperformingfor thecameras."Ifyou'resmart,you'll fallover in thefirstround,"hetoldJim.

Jim's eyes met Baer's. "I think I'll try for a few rounds," he said. Baernoticed Mae, standing behind Jim now. "You should talk to him," he said."You'remuchtooprettytoloseyourhusband."Jimsqueezedhisfistintoaball,ready toattack,butBaercontinued to lookatMae."Maybe Ican takecareofyouafterhe'sgone."

ThistimeJoeGouldjumped,wavinghisfistsatthechampion.Jimpulledhimback.

Mae stepped up to the bar. Baer's bright blue eyes followed her as shepickeduphisdrink,thenthrewitinhisface.

Baerjustlaughedashedriedhisface."Didyougetthat,boys?"hesaidtothereporters."Braddockhashiswifefightingforhim."

JimsteppeduptoMaxBaer.Thetwoboxerswerenosetonose.ThenJimturned, tookhiswife'shand,and ledheraway.As they left, thesoundofBaerlaughingfollowedthemintothestreet.

CHAPTERTWELVE

TheBigDay

"Keepyourheaddownandgivemeacombination-left,right,left."Jimwas teachingJayandHowardhow tobox. Jay threwouta right fist

andliftedhischin.Jimreachedforwardandgentlyhithisson'schin."Don'ttakeyoureyesoffyouropponent,"hesaid.

"That'senough,now,"saidMaefromthekitchensink.Jim looked at his boys proudly. "There's more than one fighter in the

Braddockfamily."Asthetwoboyscontinuedtobox,theyknockedoverachair.Maeturned.

"Isaid that'senough!"shecried."Noboxingin thehouse!"Shepointedathertwosons."Youaregoingtostayinschool.Thencollege.Youaregoingtohaveprofessions.Youarenotgoingtohaveyourheadsbrokenintheboxingring.Isthatclear?"

Theboysfroze.Beforetheycouldreply,Maeranoutoftheapartment.Asshe stoodoutside, she could still hearSportyLewis'swords in her head:MaxBaerhaskilledtwomeninthering.

She didn't turn when she heard Jim's steps. "When you boxed before,sometimes I hoped that youwouldget hurt. Just enough so you couldn't fightagain...Ialwaysknewadaywouldcomewhenafightcouldkillyou.Andnowit'shere."Shelookedherhusbandintheeye."Why?Whyfighthim?"

"ThisiswhatIknowhowtodo,"saidJimsimply.MaewaitedforJimtotakeherinhisarms,tosaythathehadchangedhis

mind,buthedidn't.Partofhimwishedthathecould,butitwasimpossible.Shedidn't understand how it felt for men like Jim or Mike Wilson-strong,hardworkingmenwhoweretoldthattheywereuseless.Therewerethousandsofpeople like this now, and they found hope in the fighter they called theCinderellaMan.Jimhadtofight,forthem.

Mae'sfearturnedtoanger."Isupportedyouuntilnow,"shesaid."Butnotfor this, Jim. I just can't..."Her voicewent cold. "You find away out of thisfight.Breakyourhandagain,ifyouhaveto.ButifyouleavethisapartmenttofightMaxBaer,Iwon'tsupportyou."

As the dayof the fight grewcloser,MaxBaer helped reporters fill theirsports pages.His latest demandwas that theremust be an ambulance outsideMadisonSquareGarden,readytorushJimtoalocalhospitalafterBaerhithim.

Jim justcontinued training. JoeJeannettechosegoodpartners forhim toworkwithinthering.EachonehelpedJimimproveoneskill-onepartnerhelpedhimworkonhishand speed; anotherpartner allowedhim topracticedodgingbigpunches;anotherhelpedhimmovearoundtheringquickly.

Jim,Joe,andJeannettealsowatchedfilmofBaer'sfightsforhourseveryday."Watchhim,"saidJeannette,pointing."Hispunchesarestrong,butyoucanseethemcoming."

Withjustafewweekstogo,Braddock'strainingbecameevenharder.JoeandJeannettestartedchanginghisboxingpartnersmoreandmoreoften,soJimfoughtafreshfightereveryround.Oneofthenewspapersportspagesincludedsomething that Joehad said: "Braddock isgoing tobe reallyprepared for thisfight,ifhelivesthroughtraining!"

Joe laughed when he read that, until his wife reminded him that MaeBraddockwouldreadit,too.

Finally, the big day arrived. When Joe Gould arrived at the gym thatmorning,Jimwassittingalone,withajackettightaroundhischest.

"What'swrongwithhim?"themanageraskedJoeJeannette.Jeannetteshookhishead."He'sfitterthanever,buthe'sold.Hisribsaren't

strongsincetheLaskyfight."Gould already knew about the problem with Jim's ribs, but he thought

therewassomethingelsewrong.GouldknewthatJim'swifewasn'thappyabouthis profession, and about this fight especially.Butwhatever the problemwas,therewasnotimetosolveitnow.Thefightwasjusthoursaway.

"Thereporterswillbeheresoon,"hetoldJim."TakeoffthatjacketorBaerwillseethatyouhavearibproblem."

Jimclimbedintothetrainingringasacrowdofsportswritersrushedintotheroom.Heworkedhard,buthestillwantedtotrainmoreafterthelastreporterhadgone.

JoeJeannetterefused."Gohomeandgetsomerest.You'llbeworkinghardenoughintheringtonight."

SoJimwenthome.HereturnedtoahousethatwasemptyexceptforMae.Shestoodsilently,lookingatthenewspaper:

WORLD CHAMPION FIGHT TONIGHT MANY WORRY FORBRADDOCK'SLIFE

Withoutaword,sheturnedandwalkedaway.Asthemorningbecameafternoon,Jimlayinbed,unabletosleep.Ataxi

cameforhimatfouro'clock.MaefollowedJimoutside,whereasmallcrowdofneighborswaswaiting:

"Comehomewiththattitle!""Knockhimout!"Jimkissedhisthreechildren.ThenhiseyesmetMae's."Ican'twinifyou

don'tsupportme,"hesaid."Thendon'tgo,Jimmy."Time seemed to stretch, with each of themwaiting for the other to say

something.ThenMaeturnedandpulledthechildrenclosetoher.Jimwatchedasshepushedherwaybackthroughthecrowd.Thenheclimbedintothewaitingtaxi.

ThetaxidrovepastthetallbuildingsofManhattan,thencrossedtheEastRiver. Jim was silent, running the films of Baer's fights through his head,remembering Jeannette's advice-anything tohelphim forget the lookonMae'sfaceasheleft.

TheyreachedtheMadisonSquareGardenBowlandJimlookedoutatthewaitingcrowd.Hecouldseethatthesepeoplehadknownhardtimes.Buttherewassomethingelse,too,abrightlookintheireyes-hope.

Jimsawhisownfaceintheglassofthecarwindow.HehadbeatenTuffyGriffiths soconfidently,but thatmanwasgone forever.Hehadpassedhishathopelessly around the boxing club, but that man, was gone, too. No, he waslookingnowatthefaceofeverymanwhohadeverbeenbeatendownbyhardtimesbutrefusedtostopfighting.

That'swhenJimknew.Nomatterwhathappenedtonight,hewouldn'tgiveup.Hewoulddietrying.

Itwasahotdayandgettinghotter.Jimsatinhisdressingroomwaitingtogooutandbeweighed.

"Come on, champion," said Joe Gould when there was a knock on the

door."Waitaminute,"saidJim."ThelasttimeIlooked,Iwasthechallenger,not

thechampion.""IknowwhatIsaid,"repliedJoe.Onhiswaytotheweighingroom,MaxBaerhadseenanoldtrainerwho

hadworkedwithhimyearsbefore.TherewereangrywordsandBaerhitoutattheman.Camerasrecordedtheattack.

Whentherewaspeace in theroomagain,officialsandreporterswatchedthetwoboxersbeingweighed.Itwasveryhotinthecrowdedroom.

MaxBaerwentfirst,steppingupwithhisfistsabovehisheadandanuglysmileonhisface.

"Ninety-fiveandahalfkilograms,"thejudgeannounced.ThenitwasJim'sturn."Eighty-sixandahalfkilograms."Max Baer was waiting for him when he stepped down. "How does the

storygo?"saidBaer,loudenoughforallthereporterstohear."Theclockstrikesmidnight,andthenCinderellalosesherskirt!"

Peoplelaughedandmorephotosweretaken,butJimdidn'tcare.Hewouldhavethechancetoreplylater,inthering.Hewentbacktohisdressingroomtogetreadyforthefight.

Max Baer returned to his dressing room. His trainer was waiting withsomething for the champion to watch-a film of Braddock's fight against ArtLasky.

"Look, right there!" said the trainer, as Lasky hit Braddock in the ribs,clearlyhurtinghim."Braddock'sribsareweak.Ifyoucanhit themwithafewgoodjabs,you'llreallyhurthim."

"Idon'tneedto,"answeredBaer."Icanknockthisloserdownanytime.IjustneedtogivethecrowdagoodshowbeforeIkillhim."

Baer'smanager,AncilHoffman,cameintotheroom."Didyougetit?"askedthechampion.Hoffman nodded. "The ambulance is waiting outside. There's a doctor

there,too."Max looked in themirror. "That's all I can do for him.NowBraddock's

soonhisown."Maespenttherestofthedayathersister'shouse.Asthechildrenplayed,

she andAlice sat and talked, but they didn't discuss the real reason forMae'svisit.

As the afternoon shadows grew longer, Mae became quieter. At fiveo'clock,shestood."Noradio,Alice,"shesaid."I'llbebacksoon."

Maewalked through the empty streets ofNewark until she came to thefamily'schurch.FatherRorickstoodatthedoor.Therewerecrowdsinside.

"Father?"Maeasked,confusedbythecrowd."IcametosayafewwordsinchurchforJim."

"All thesepeople aredoing the same," said thepriest. "They think Jim'sfightingforthem."

Maelookedatthecrowdagain.Allofthesepeoplewerebeatendownbyhard times.Theyadmiredherhusband. If he could fight andwin,maybe theycould...

"Yes,Iunderstandnow,"saidMae.Sheturnedandhurrieddownthestreet.Shecouldhearradiosthroughopenwindowsanddoors.Everybodywasgettingreadytolistentothefight-atthedocks,inhomesandbars,inSamthebutcher's.BeyondNewark,too-acrossthecountry-peoplewantedtheCinderellaMantowin.Theywantedhimtobecometheprince,theking,thechampion.

JoeGouldwas tapingJim'shands in thedressingroom.Theycouldhearthesoundofthecrowdbeyond.Suddenly,therewasaknockonthedoorandasmall,familiarshapestoodthere-itwasMae.

"Excusemeforaminute,"saidJoe.Heleft,closingthedoorbehindhim.Finally,Maespoke."Youcan'twinifIdon'tsupportyou.""Ikeeptellingyouthat,"saidJim.Maehandedhimabrownpaperbag."Ithoughtitwasgoingtorain,soI

usedthemoneyintherainy-dayjar."Jimopenedthebagandstaredatthenewpairofboxingshoesinside.

"Maybe I understand." Mae's eyes shone. The two kissed and, smilingthroughhertears,Maesaid,"Ialwayssupportyou,Jimmy.Justyourememberwho you are! You're everybody's hope and your kids' hero and you're thechampionofmyheart,JamesJ.Braddock!"

Itwasalmostfighttime."Seeyouathome,okay?"Maewhispered,asshemovedtothedoor."Please,Jimmy..."

Jimnodded."Seeyouathome."

CHAPTERTHIRNEEN

TheHopesoftheCrowd

MadisonSquareGardenBowl,LongIslandCity,NewYorkJune13,1935

As Jim Braddock stepped out into the bright lights, the crowd becamesilent. The ring seemed so far away. Between him and it were thousands ofpeople-Jim's people. He knew the looks on their faces-people who saw nochanceofafuture.Somehadspenttheirlastdollartobehere,buttonighttheyallheld theirheadshigh.Their eyes followedhimwith thewildhope that thestoryoftheCinderellaManwouldhaveahappyending.

It was the strangest walk to the ring Jim had evermade.As he passed,peoplegot to their feet.They smiledandnoddedandwavedat theirhero,buttheywerestillsilent.Finally,someonecalledhisnameandtheshoutbrokethesilence for everybody. The whole crowd-thirty-five thousand people-began toshout,andthenoisewentuptothestar-filledsky.

Mae'ssisterAlicewaslookingforJay,Howard,andRosy,tocallthemtosupper.Therewasnosignofthechildren.Weretheyhiding?Shewasgoingtolookoutside,whensheheardasoundfromtheclosetunderthestairs.

Allthreechildrenweresittingaroundaradio.Theylookedupattheiraunt,andAliceknewthatshecouldn'tstopthem.Withoutsayingaword,shesatdownnexttothechildrenandlistenedtotheannouncerontheradio.

Idon'tknowifyoucanhearme,"theannouncerwasshouting."Ican'thearmyself!Thecrowdisonitsfeetandthenoiseisdeafening."

Back in the Madison Square Garden Bowl, the crowd was silent againwhentheyrealizedthatMaxBaerwaswalkingtothering.Thechampionfeltthecrowd'sfear.Heenjoyedit.Whenhehadclimbedintothering,Baerranaroundandacceptedthecrowd'sbooswithaconfidentsmileonhisface.

Therefereecalledtheboxersandtheircornermentohim."Iwantacleanfight,"he said. "When I saybreak, stepback immediately.And remember"-helookedatJim-"protectyourselfatalltimes."

As the fighters touched gloves, Baer's cornerman held a goldwatch in

frontofBraddock'sface."Oneminutetomidnight,Cinderella!"helaughed.The fighters returned to their corners. Baer's manager, Ancil Hoffman,

whisperedfinalwordsofadvicetothechampion,butBaerwasn'tinterested.Jimclosed his eyes. Finally, the sound of the bell broke the silence and the fightbegan.

Round1Braddock came out fast and hard, hoping to surprise the champion.

Showingnofear,hehitBaerwitharighthand,andthenfolloweditwithalefttothebody.Thechampiontriedtopunchback,butBraddockdancedaway.

OnBraddock'snextattack,Baerwasready.HisleftfisthitBraddock'sribshard.Braddock'sanswerwasacombinationofpunches-alongrighttotheface,anotherright,aleft,andafinalrighttothechin.ThechampionknewnowthatBraddockhadagoodpunch,butherefusedtoshowanypain.

"Calmdown,oldman,"Baerlaughedasthefightersheldontoeachother."I'llletthefightgoafewrounds."

As thebell rang,Baerknew thathehad lost the roundonpoints,buthedidn'tcare.Hewasconfident thathecouldend this fightatany timewithonepunch.

Inthecorner,GouldmetBraddockwithabigsmile."DidyouseethelookonBaer'sfacewhenyouhithim?"

Jimtookouthismouthguard."Yes,hewaslaughing.""Souseyourlefthandtoknockthatsmileoffhisface!"IntheoppositecornerAncilHoffmanwasshouting,butBaerwavedhim

away."I'llkillhimwhenI'mready.""Yourleft,Jimmy,"Joesaidagain."Rememberyourleft."

Round2Braddockcameoutwithhisfistsmovingatthestartofthesecondround,

too."Nobody expected this fight to go one round," the radio announcerwas

saying."Butit'sonlyreachedroundtwobecauseBaerisplayingwithBraddock.

He'sthrownalmostnopunchesandhe'slaughingatthechallenger."ButsoonBaerstartedthrowingmorepunches,aimingatBraddock'sweak

ribs.ThestrengthofBaer'spunchesknockedthebreathoutofhim."The champion has really hurt the challenger," said the announcer. The

crowdbegantoboo."That'stherightplace,isn'tit,oldman?"saidBaer.The referee separated the fighters at the sound of the bell. One of

Braddock's cornermenworked on the fighter's cuts, while the other gave theboxerwater.Jimcougheditbackup.Heneededair,notwater.

JoeexaminedJim'sribs."They'renotbroken,"hesaid."Notyet."Across the ring, Baer was playing and acting for the cameras. As he

watched this, Jimrealized thathehimselfdidn'tcareaboutpleasing thecrowdnow.Hewasn't even fightingBaer.Hewas fighting tobeat the thing that hadbeatenhim.Hewasfightingforhisfamily'sfuture.

Round3Forthethirdtime,Braddockcameoutfast.HethrewhispunchesatBaer's

head, but the champion's punches were aimed at his opponent's body. BaercontinuedtohitBraddock's ribshardwithbothhands.HehitBraddockwithalowpunch,andtherefereewarnedthechampiontokeephisfistsup.

Before the fight started again, Gould saw that Braddock's gloves weredownbyhisside,buttherewasnotimetoshoutawarning.

Baerhadseen it, too.Hehit thesideofBraddock'sheadwithabig left-handpunch.Jim'slegsbent.Hewasclearlyinterriblepain-washegoingtofall?Gouldfrozeinfear.Hethoughtaboutgivingin,endingthefight.

"Givehimachance,Joe,"saidthecornerman.Afewsecondslater,Jimstoodstraighterandreachedfortheropes.Baercouldn'tbelieveit.Heattackedagain,butthistimeBraddockhitback

withalongright,thenaleftjabthatmadeBaer'sheadlooklikeapunchingbag."That'sit!"shoutedGould,jumpingupanddown.

Round4

Fromthestartofthenextround,bothmenstoodtoetotoe,throwingjabs.Braddock's feet were quicker and his punchesmore effective, so Baer startedaimingforthebodyagain.Afterafewgoodpunchestotheribs,hewassurethateverybreathcausedBraddockterriblepain.

The two men held each other again and the referee called for them tobreak.ButBaercontinuedtoholdBraddock.

"Dirtyfighting!"shoutedGouldangrilyfromthecorner."Iwarnedyou,"therefereetoldBaer."WhenIsay'Break!'youbreak!"ThecrowdbooedasBaerfinallysteppedback.Heshookthesweatfrom

histhickblackhairandhelduphishandstoapologize.Outofthecornerofhiseye,hecouldseethatBraddockwasn'tprotectinghimself.

Without warning, Baer turned and delivered an enormous punch toBraddock's ribs. To everybody's surprise-especially Baer's -Braddock repliedwithacombinationofleft-rightpunchesbeforesteppingback.

Round5Baer's manager, Ancil Hoffman, couldn't understand it. The challenger's

ribswereinbadcondition,butBraddockwasstillcontrollingthefight,jabbingBaer again and again and tiring him. The timing of the champion's puncheswasn'tright,andHoffmanknewthathewaswaitingforthechancetodeliverhisbigknockoutpunch insteadof tiringhisopponent.ButBaerwasn't able tohitBraddock,whododgedanddancedawayskillfully.

The champion was getting angry now. He hit Braddock with an illegalbackhand punch as the referee separated the two fighters. The refereewarnedBaer,butthetwomencontinuedfightingbeforeholdingontoeachotheragain.

"Stepback!"shoutedthereferee,butthetwomendidn'tletgo.Braddockhitthechampion'schinwithhishead.Thechampionshoutedin

anger.HeliftedBraddockandthrewhimintotheropes,payingnoattentiontotheboosofthecrowd.

Whentheroundwasover,HoffmanshoutedangrilyatBaer,"Whatareyoudoing?"

"Relax,"thechampiontoldhim."I'llrelax,"repliedAncil,"whenwewalkoutofherewiththetitle."

Round6Baer hit Braddock with three good punches in the first seconds of the

round.Bloodpouredfromthechallenger'snoseandmouth.But then, suddenly, it seemed to Baer that a train had hit him. It was

Braddock'srighthand,andithitthechampiononthechinwithenormouspower.Baersteppedback,fightingforair.ButBraddockgavehimnospace,throwingpunchafterpunchwithhis lefthand.Oneofthemhit thechampionjustabovethe eye.Baer fought back, but his aimwasn't as good as the challenger's.Hisrighteyebegantoclose.

For the first time in this fight, Baer felt relief when the bell rang. Hepromisedhimselfthathewouldendthefightinthenextround,evenifhehadtokilltheCinderellaMantodoit.

Round7Assoonastheroundbegan,itwasclearthatBaerhadanewattitude.Joe

Gouldcouldseeit.Thecrowdcouldalsofeelthechange.Baerwantedtofinishthisfightnow.

ButBraddockwasn'tafraid.Hemetthechampioninthemiddleoftheringandthetwofighterscontinuedthefight.BaerhitBraddockwithseveralpunchestothebody.Thelastofthesehitbelowthebelt.

"Keepyourpunchesup,Max,"saidBraddock.Baer smiled and delivered a combination of punches to his opponent's

bodyandhead."Isthatupenough?"Braddockforcedhimselftosmilethroughthepain."That'sfine,Max."Asthebellrang,Baercontinuedthrowingpunches.Braddockhitbackas

hardashecould,butMaxBaerjustlaughed."I can'tbelieve this!" said the radioannouncer. "Everybodyexpected the

champion to win easily. But now, after the seventh round, neither fighter isahead.Eitherofthemcouldwin."

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

TheLuckiestMan

"Alice?"Thehouseseemedempty.Maelookedattheuneatenmealonhersister's kitchen table. Then she heard noises from the closet in the hall. Theywere all there-Mae's three children and her sister-listening to the fight on theradio.

"The crowd was expecting big things from champion Max Baer in theeighthround,"theradioannouncerwassaying."ButJimBraddockrefusedtobebeaten."

Rosylookedupandsawhermother."It'sthepolice,"shesaidtotheothers."By the ninth round, it was a fact that Braddock had fought better than

anybodyexpected,"continuedtheannouncer."ButsomepeopleweresayingthatBaerallowedthistohappen.Inthetenthround,thechampionwasincompletecontrolofthefight."

Maereachedtoturnofftheradio.Jay'seyesmethers."Please,Mom."Shelookedintotheirhopefulfacesandknewthatshecouldn'tsayno.But

sherefusedtolistenherself.Withoutaword,sheturnedandwalkedaway,astheeleventhroundbegan.

Round11Baer was mad as he rushed out. He chased Braddock around the ring,

throwingpunchesatthechallenger...andthenitcame-Baer'sbigpunch,theonethathadkilledtwomen.

Whenithithim,Braddock'smindwasinafog.Hefeltheavyandlightatthesametime,andhislegscouldonlyjustsupporthim.Hefelttheropesonhisback.

Suddenly, a memory of his family came into Jim's head-his wife andchildren.The reasonwhyhewashere.He let the ropes supporthimfora fewseconds,andthenhepushedforward,backonhisfeet.

Baer just stared at Braddock, unable to believe that the challenger hadtakenthepunchandnotbeenknockedout.JimlookedbackintoBaer'sbrokenfaceandsmiled.

For the rest of the round,Baer tried to finish his opponent, but hiswildpunchesmissed.Braddockhitbackwitha jab,across,another jab.Witheachpunch,hefelthisstrengthreturning.TherewasbloodonBaer'sfacenow.

Attheendoftheround,Braddock'scornermenworkedurgentlyonthecutunder the fighter's eye. Joe Gould seemed close to tears. "Jimmy," said hismanager."Win,orlose..."

"Thanks,Joe,forallofit."Jimliftedabloodyglove."Nowstoptalking."

Round12Baerstarted the twelfth roundstill trying to finish the fightwithonebig

punch.Butthechallengerwasfasteranddodgedthepunches."He'sslow!"shoutedGouldfromthecorner.Thecrowdwasshoutinginbothhappinessandfear."You're right, it is a funeral," shouted the young reporter next to Sporty

Lewis."MaxBaer'sfuneral."ButLewis didn't hear.Hewasonhis feet, shouting like everybody else.

Thecrowd'sshoutwaslikeawaveofnoise."Braddock!Braddock!Braddock!"ItwastoomuchforMaxBaer.HeranatBraddock,movinghisfistsfast

andhard.Thepuncheshitthechallenger,thelastonebelowthebelt.Braddockbentoverinpainastheroundended.

JoeGouldjumpedovertheropes,shoutingangrilyatBaer.Therefereeandthefight'sdoctorhadtoliftthelittlemanagerbackoutofthering.

Baerjuststoodinthecenterofthering."Thatlowpunchlostyoutheround,"therefereetoldhim.Baerwavedhimawayandmovedbacktohiscorner.AncilHoffmanwas

waitingforhim."You're losing!Areyoulisteningtome?Doyouwant to losethetitletothisnobody?"

Athersister'shouseinNewJersey,Maehadstoppedpretendingtoherselfthatshewasreadingthenewspaper-thatshewasn'tlisteningtotheradio.

She went back to the hall, where the others still sat listening. Mae hidaround the corner so her children couldn't see her. She stood in the dark and

listenedtothethirteenthandfourteenthroundswithgrowingfear.Atlast,whentherewasjustonemoreroundinthefight,shesteppedoutof

the shadows. Rosy moved to the side. "Sit here, Mommy." Mae joined herchildren.Palewithworry,shelistenedtotheannouncer.

"It's the fifteenth and final round.The crowd is shouting atBraddock tostay away because Baer is looking for the knockout... but Braddock is notstayingaway,andBaerisdeliveringthebiggestpunchesofhislife."

Mae saw the fear now in her children's eyes. Would their father comehometonight?

"ButBraddockisnotonlystanding...he'scomingforward!"

Round15In the ring,MaxBaer and JimBraddockwere beaten, bloody and tired.

Theyfoughtforairas theycircledeachother, lookingforachance togetpasttheir opponent's defenses.Baer's fists flew and all of his puncheswere strongenoughtoknockamanout,buttheywerewildandanxious.Braddockremainedonhisfeet.Hekeptcomingforward,bringingthefighttoBaer.

Thefinalsecondsofthefightseemedtostretchforever.Fortheboxers,thecrowdseemedtodisappear;thereferee,thejudges,andthemanagersweregone,too.Foreachmantherewasonlytheotherfighter.

Braddock danced to the side and threw a jab. Baer saw his chance. HethrewhisfamousrightpunchandhitBraddockrightinthehead.Itknockedthechallenger to the side, and now Baer could hit him with the second punch.Silencefelloverthecrowd.Wasthistheend?

No.Braddock turned and justmanaged to dodge the next punch.He hitback,andthetwomenwerestillthrowingpuncheswhenthefinalbellrang.Thefighthadended!

Everybody waited to hear the fight officials announce a winner. It wasclearwhichfighterthecrowdwanted.

"Braddock!Braddock!Braddock!"Minutes later, Braddock was still resting on the ropes while the fight

doctorexaminedhimandJoeGouldtookhisboxingglovesoff."Idon'tlikeit,"saidJoe."Thejudgesaretakingtoolong."

Ashadowfellacrosstheircorner.ItwasMaxBaer,wholookedJimBraddockintheeye."Youbeatme.Itdoesn'tmatterwhattheysay."Jimtriedtofindtherightwords,butBaerwasgonebeforehehadachance

tosaythem.At last, the judgeshandedasmall,whitecard to thefightannouncer.He

climbedovertheropesandmovedtothemicrophoneinthemiddleofthering."Ladies and gentlemen, thewinner... and new heavyweight champion of

theworld..."Therestofhiswordswerelostinanexplosionofnoise.The same noise filled the streets of Newark. People poured from their

housesintothestreetstocelebrate.TheypouredoutofFatherRorick'schurchtojoineverybodyelseinanunplannedstreetparty.Peoplelaughedandcriedwithhappiness.Facesthatlookedoldwithworrybecamesuddenlyyoungagain.

At her sister's house,Mae's cry cut the night. As the family celebrated,littleRosysmiledproudlyathermother."It'sthesteak,"shesaid.

BackattheMadisonSquareGardenBowl,thecrowdpushedforwardforabetterlookattheCinderellaMan.Everybodywantedtoshakehishand,totouchhim,totakehomealittleofhismagicforthemselves.

JamesJ.Braddockstoodinthecenteroftheringwithhisarmsliftedoverhishead.Tearspouredfromhiseyes.Helistenedtothecrowd'sshouts,buthisheartwas in another place. Itwas in a littleNew Jersey apartment,where hiswifeandthreechildrenwouldsoonbewaitingforhimtocomehome.Intheend,they were the reason why he was not only the heavyweight champion of theworld,butalsotheluckiestmaninit.

And so James J. Braddock, at the age of 29, became the heavyweightchampionoftheworldonJune13,1935.Noneofthejudgesdisagreedwiththedecision.Forthepublicandthepress,hiswinwasoneofthebiggestsurprisesinthehistoryofthesport.MostagreedthatBaerhadbeenbeatenbyabetterboxeronthenight.

For two years, Braddock didn't box again. Finally, a fight was arrangedwithJoeLouis, the"BrownBomber" fromDetroit.OnJune22,1937, the twofightersmetinChicago.

By this time,Braddockwasnotasstrongorhealthyashehadbeen.His

leftarmwasveryweak,buthestillmanaged toknockLouisdownin thefirstround.By the fourth round, JoeLouiswas controlling the fight.According toBraddock,"Afteracoupleofrounds,IknewIwasintherewithagreatfighter."TheendcamewhenLouisknockedBraddockoutintheeighthround."Whenhehitmewiththatright,Ijustlaythere."JoeLouislaterbecameoneofthegreatestheavyweighttitleholdersinthehistoryofboxing.

James J. Braddock fought one more fight after that, in 1938, against ayoungboxerfromWales,TommyFarr.FarrhadlastedallfifteenroundsagainstLouis, and most people expected him to beat Braddock. Again, Braddocksurprisedeverybodybywinningthefight.Thenhedecidedtoleavethesportasawinner."Ihavewonmylastfight,"heannouncedtothepress.

Afterhestoppedboxing,JimBraddockremainedfriendswithJoeGould.AndBraddockhadalottothankhismanagerfor.WhenGouldhadallowedJoeLouistochallengeBraddockforthetitlein1937,hehaddemandedmoneyfromallJoeLouis'sheavyweighttitlefightsforthenexttenyearsifLouiswon.JimandMaeBraddockwereneverpoor again.Thecouple lived in the sameNewJerseyhousethattheyboughtafterJimwontheheavyweighttitle.Jimspenttherestofhislifesurroundedbyfriendsandneighborswhoadmiredandlovedhim.

Looking back, JimBraddock said that,whenBaer hit himwith his bestpunchandJimdidn'tfall,hewas"thehappiestguyintheworld."ThestoryoftheCinderellaMandidhaveahappyending.

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