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James J. Braddock - Guestbook

James J. Braddock, World Heavy-Weight Champion

Welcome to the official guestbook of the James J Braddock website. Due to spam, we have been forced stop guestbook entries.

Thanks to Mr. Braddock's family for keeping such a wonderful photo record of their father! He obviously was a great dad.
There doesn't seem to be a lot of background on the "NICE GUYS" in boxing,but movies like "CINDERELLA MAN" and the reality show "The Contender" are changing that!
They show more than just the violent side of this great sport.
Amy Reigel - Erie, Pa USA [2005-06-03 10:42:43]
Mr. Braddock's last fight was a few years before I was born, but he was the first boxing name I ever heard, because he was a hero of my dad's.
I grew up a boxing fan and saw the likes of the great Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Frasier and more, fight live from New York to Las Vegas, but it was the Cinderella Man's story that first bit me with the boxing bug. Thanks for this great website.
Chuck Sheldon
Slidell, Louisiana
Chuck Sheldon - Slidell, Louisiana USA [2005-06-03 10:31:46]
Even though I am not a big fan of Russell Crowe, I am a MAJOR boxing fan, as well as a Ron Howard fan. I can't wait to see the movie, as I know Ron Howard will do justice to Mr. Braddock.
Brenda - Cincinnati, Ohio Usa [2005-06-03 10:02:00]
Mr. Braddock lived in a beautiful brick house diagonally across the street from me. I remember my parents telling us (3 sisters) that he was a famous Prize fighter, and we should always show respect and not bother him by playing in the street (stick ball) too close to his house. He very rarely came outside as he was old. We would see domestic help going in and out I assume to help care for him. To all of his relatives that live all over the US, I just want you to know that he was well respected by the neighbors, never hassled, or bothered by "groupies". My only regret is that we not encouraged by our parents to approach him to hear about the history he made. I am going to see the movie tonite, anxious to know about the man who lived 100 feet way from me until his passing in 1974. Thank you Ron Howard, Russell Crowe for creating a historical documentary on what I remember as "Jimmy Braddock, the famous prize fighter from across the street in North Bergen"
Paula age 52, now in Bergen County NJ
Paula M - Formally Of North Bergen, Nj Usa [2005-06-03 08:57:12]
I grew up in Guttenberg & my father told me a story that James J. Braadock once bought him a drink in the corner salloon he frequented. My Dad said he was every bit the gentleman he heard he was. I can't wait to see the movie.
Jack Brophy - Landing, Nj USA [2005-06-03 08:28:05]
Mr. Braddock lived right across the street from me. I remember him one time when I was probably about 6 years old. I was playing on the slate sidewalk in front of his house. It was one of the rare moments that I ever saw him. I looked up and there was this huge man smiling down on me. He said something friendly to me, I don;t remember what he said though. I also remember when the park was renamed for him. I am so excited about this movie!! Where can we buy the North Bergen sweatshirt that Russell Crowe had on on Regis? Peter Mocco would love this!!!
Susan - Macungie, Pa USA [2005-06-03 06:04:34]
I am a theatre manager, and this is one movie I am proud to present. It is a great movie about a humble winner.
When you see it, be sure and sit through the notes at the end, Jim lived a full life.
Ernie Bergthold - Lodi, Ca USA [2005-06-03 05:11:07]
Can't wait to see this movie. I love seeing movies that are set in North Jersey. where I grew up in Union City. Give my regards to Bergenline!
Mark - Ginzo, Fl USA [2005-06-03 04:48:12]
I just caught the A&E program on Braddock. I never heard about this man growing up, but his true life story is truly inspirational. I can't wait to see the Ron Howard movie and thank you for sharing the personal family photos on this web site.
Bridget L. - Dallas, Texas Usa [2005-06-03 03:09:08]
I am glad they made a good movie here about something good and I look forward to taking my son to see it.
Vaughn Ehrman - Baltimore, Maryland Us [2005-06-03 00:30:58]
Great web site glad to know he was from West New York I grew up here and work here, we have great people from WNY God Bless
Garry Del Greco - West New York, Nj Usa [2005-06-03 00:00:27]
This web sight is wonderful! Love the pics. This story is long over due and all the Braddock family should be so proud.He was the real American Idol. God Bless
Penny - Ft.payne, Al Usa [2005-06-02 23:34:22]
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ACTUALLY MEETING JIM BRADDOCK IN 1957 WHEN I WAS 12 YRS. OLD AT A "FATHER AND SON NIGHT" AT ST. TERESA'S CHURCH ON STATEN ISLAND. HE AND GUS LESNOVICH WERE THE GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE EVENT. I REMEMBER THAT NIGHT VIVIDLY,AS JIM BRADDOCK SHOWED ME HOW TO HOLD MY HANDS IN A BOXER'S STANCE.I GUESS I WAS TOO YOUNG AT THE TIME TO KNOW HOW SIGNIFICANT OF A PERSON HE WAS.GUS LESNOVICH ALSO WAS A NICE MAN WHO SIGNED AUTOGRAPHS ALONG WITH JIM. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO PHOTOS OF THE EVENT,BUT THE NIGHT IS INDELIBLY RECORDED IN MY MEMORY , AND I AM LOOKING FOWARD TO SEEING THE MOVIE. MY BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Tom Price - Staten Island, New York USA [2005-06-02 23:18:21]
WOW! Just finished watching the A&E special and can't wait to see the movie. A story like James Braddocks puts it all in perspective for those of us who didn't live through the Depression. What an inspiration to us all, but more importantly what a great father and husband.
M. Meador - Houston, Tx USA [2005-06-02 23:11:33]
We caught the preview last night, and, to be honest, we were not aware of what the storyline was.

All I can say is, "WHAT A GREAT MOVIE"! It really opened our eyes on the Great Depression, and how so many people made sacrifices.

To the actors and Ron Howard..."Awesome Job"!
Amy Chai - Vancouver, Bc Canada [2005-06-02 23:10:34]
i think its great to see another famous part of history recreated on the big screen i look forward to going to the movies and watching the jim braddock story in cinderella man . also kudos to russ crowe for his excellent depiction .
Joshua Wilson - Akron, Ohio Usa [2005-06-02 23:01:23]
I'm watching the A&E show now. Thanks for putting up this web site. It is good to know what happened. Jim Braddock was a great man.
Been - Greeley, Co USA [2005-06-02 22:42:28]
A&E will be airing a program about the film (and the man himself) tonight (6/2) at 10pm EST. I've really enjoyed looking around this site.
Robert Thompson - Dublin, Georgia USA [2005-06-02 21:26:17]
I enjoyed the movie Cinderella Man; it reminded me of the hard times my dad had to endur during the 30's. I remember listening to friday night fights with my dad on the radio, and he would tell me the two best fights that he listened to were Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling, and James Braddock vs Max Baer.
It was a privledge to relive those moments, albeit in the movie theatre, by watching the man, not just the boxer..James Braddock.
Ron Howard did a great job in depicting the era in which the story unfolds. Prediction: Oscar for Howard and Russell Crowe.
Lawrence Schiller - New City, Ny Usa [2005-06-02 18:02:07]
I met Jimmy in 1935 when he came to Topeka, Kansas to referee a wrestling match. I still have his autograph I got that night and photo that was in the Topeka paper.
William H. Smith - Palm Desert,, California USA [2005-06-02 15:59:31]
"Cinderella Man" was an excellent film, one of the best boxing movies I've ever seen, though I must admit, "Rocky" 1 was the best.

Russell Crowe has proven again that he is a great actor, a chameleon who becomes an entirely different character in every role he plays.

Craig Bierko as Max Baer was impressive, unlike I've ever seen him before. He bulked up incredibly for this role. During the fight between Baer and Braddock I kept thinking Braddock was fighting Jethro's father (Max Baer, Jr. aka Jethro Bodine, "The Beverly Hillbillies").

The character of Braddock almost seemed too good to be true, the most decent, most honest, most sincere human who ever lived. I wonder if he really made his son return the salami that the son stole when the family was hungry and if he really returned all the money he'd received from the Public Relief agency, or if those scenes were a form of poetic license to enhance the righteous dignity of the movie character.

Regardless, it was an interesting, entertaining crowd pleaser, and for those of us who go to the movies for escape from the mundane routines of real life, that's what it's all about.

An excellent job, Opie (Ron Howard), as you continue to expand your resume of cinematic successes.
Stuart Stark - Fort Lee, New Jersey USA [2005-06-02 15:03:25]
As a child i went to grade school at Sacred Heart in Newark,NJ. I remember Mr. Braddock giving a very inspirational talk to us kids. What a great man, God Bless him
Mark Feeley - Kingman, Arizona USA [2005-06-02 13:46:27]
THIS WAS A GREAT MOVIE!!! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT
Koleen Diskin - Pittsburgh, Pa United States [2005-06-02 12:58:31]
A tuff Irish Amerian Fighter,when there were many Irish American Fighters on the scene.
Mike Kennedy - Frederick, Maryland USA [2005-06-02 12:34:44]
Unlike many, as boxing fans we knew of JJB. Can't wait for the film to be released to enjoy a story that should be an inspiration to all and passed along to our children.
Ted And Jae Winkel - Ludington, Michigan USA [2005-06-02 12:25:15]