James Corbett vs. James Braddock

This is much harder to figure than it seems. Corbett's era is so far removed from ours and the few films of poor quality that are available make it difficult to determine how skilled the Gentleman really was. Braddock has been underrated and dismissed for years, probably because of his numerous losses. I think highly of both men as fighters, but how Corbett would do against modern top notch fighters is impossible to tell. Braddock beat Baer, Farr, John Henry Lewis, etc., and decked a prime Louis. Based on what I know.about Braddock and what no one knows about Corbett, I'm picking the Cinderella Man to outpoint Gentleman Jim.

 

Like he says above , a bit difficult to say with lack of footage. But from what I've read of Corbett and seen of Braddock I predict a close points win for jjc.

 

170lbs Braddock was outpointed by Tommy Loughran,174lbs for the NYS version of the light heavyweight world title. I think I might go for Corbett here.

 

Corbett wins easily. He was too fast, too skilled, and better punchers like Peter Jackson or Joe Choynski would not stop him.

Braddock is essentially a gutsy journeyman who is neither big, or fast, or powerful.

 

I'd watch just to get a chance to see those sexy boxing pants Corbett wore

 

At 6 foot 2 and a half I'd say he was big enough and he had a respectable right cross.

 

Respectable is as far as you can stretch it. It took more power than Braddock had to stop Corbett.

This is a bit of a mis-match.

 

Corbett wasn't too fast or elusive for the crude, one dimensional 5'8" Tom Sharkey was he?

 

Corbett was stopped by one punch to the solar plexus.How many times has that happened?

 

I liked Jimmy's jab and he had a little power in that nicely thrown straight right. Corbett had speed and his skills would have been better developed in Braddocks era. Considering the latter I have to go with Corbett in a close one.

 

To add on what you might not have seen or read, Fitz who was an all time puncher was getting to Corbett a bit prior to the KO, and landed the perfect shot. It is also noted that Fitz landed a hook to the jaw, which is not on film prior to Corbett going down.

I can recall Hopkins doing it to Oscar De La Hoya, though Hopkins was not a puncher.

 

Sharkey was a go for broke type of dangerous puncher with good stamina and durability. He caught up to and finished a speedy Joe Choysnki, who as you know KO'd Jack Johnson cold with one punch, and was getting to Corbett late.

So consider Sharkey a less refined two handed Joe Frazier type ( but more durable ) , who has a style advantage over the traditionally speedy boxer types same as Joe Frazier.

 

Prime vs Prime one must go with Corbett. No one called Braddock a great fighter. Corbett was looked upon as an ATG by the experts of the time.

Corbett by a one sided 15 round decision.