James J Braddock in the 1980s: how does he do?

he will lose to Michael Spinks, Dwight Quavi and Evander Holyfield. We will never hear about Cinderella

 

He maybe beats some of the belt holders, and might pick up a belt himself.
As for who he beats, I couldn’t tell you for certain, all of the top guys barring Holmes were very unpredictable as for their performances at that time, stylistically he could beat maybe Berbick, Weaver or Smith, but it could even be a Pinklon Thomas, one of the less likely to lose to him, but because of how unpredictable it was, it could be anyone.
I’d expect him to pick up a belt, but go down as one of many from that era as a belt holder, but towards the back end of them, on parr with the Coetzees etc.

At their best, the only guy I’d actually pick him against out of the belt holders would be Smith, but like I said, he could beat any of them if they underperform as they often did.

 

Not burdened by trying to feed his family during the Depression, with access to modern training and medicine to fix his hands, I think Jim would surprise you.

People act like he was an absolute jabroni, a complete nonentity as a prize fighter who got lucky on one night to the exclusion of every other night in the history of the universe, aided by the fact that he was facing one of the biggest birdbrains ever to step into the ring.

I think he was MUCH better than that. He wasn't a front-line ATG but he could box and he could hit.

 

I think that he does a lot better than he did in his own era, if only based no being able to take time out to let his hands recover.

The multitude of belts and weight classes, gives him a lot more options to work with.

 

If guys like James Smith and Berbick could become champs in this era, it wouldn't be inconceivable for Braddock to pull something off against the right opponent. At the very least, he'd hang around the rankings doing alright for himself assuming he doesn't have hand issues/poverty anf better management.

He could also cut down to cruiserweight and do alright, although he's obviously not beating Holyfield under any circumstances.

 

James Smith lost to feather fisted 6'0, 206 pound Marvis Frazier. I don't want to hear anything about Smith doing better than Braddock because he was bigger.

 

I can see him being a light heavyweight contender for part of the decade and later a cruiserweight. Might capture a cruiser strap from someone like Ocasio or Parkey for a brief period.

 

Braddock would be shooting a short stick against modern heavyweights although he would wade right out there and do his best. Remember he came right at Joe Louis and started throwing punches. He was a tough mutha. Cruiser would be his wheelhouse.

 

Very well but not as well as in some other eras given the 80s depth and size. I think he beats Tyson and is champ at some point but doesn't replicate Tysons reign. Hes just a terrible matchup for Tyson. Same with Holmes he might beat Holmes but doubt hes replicating the reign.