Why 12 rounds? Anyway I pick Fitz, I'm learning towards by KO, as Fitz was such a clinical finisher, but I'm not sure. Braddock was durable as hell.
I tend to think of Fantasy match ups as resurrecting these boxers, into their prime conditions, in Modern Times (2021 now), with them having full knowledge of their careers. These kinds of big fights are scheduled for 12 rounds today, so I am keeping up with the times.
Have to go with Fitz. Braddock was durable and game like few others but Fitz was phenomenal. A natural middleweight, he would have dominated the heavyweight division for the better part of ten years had Jeffries not been on the scene. And he gave Jeff all he could handle and under today's standards may have stopped Jeff in the first round in their rematch. Against common opponents with Jeff, Fitz' record is the more impressive. He stopped Tom Sharkey in two rounds and nearly killed Gus Ruhlin inside the space of two weeks and he was nearly 40 at the time. I picture Fitz setting traps for Braddock and giving him a sound body beating. Too bad we don't have more good film of Fitzsimmons in his prime years.
Fitzsimmons knocks him out. Two different levels of fighter, imo. Some may disagree, but to me Braddock is sort of a Buster Douglas type character - a relatively mediocre fighter who had put it all together for a great night against a champion who wasn't at the top of his game.
Fitz should beat him and I'd expect him to stop Braddock - but James was as durable as possible, so it wouldn't be easy!
Fitzsimmons via KO. Braddock won a dubious fight vs Max Baer, where Baer didn't land much and won 2 rounds vs and is famous for losing his fight to Louis, knocking him down and winning another round. But unlike Baer, Louis was in there to win and he laded good punches. I often wonder who would have won between the Cleveland rubber man and the Cinderella man. Now that one would be one heck of a fight!
Both men were tough as nails but I think Fitzsimmons was the better fighter so I’m picking him to win. Not sure of the exact fashion however
Based on what I have read in articles about Bob Fitzsimmons, their records, and film of Braddock, I would pick Bob Fitzsimmons to defeat Jim Braddock.
