Scheduled for 15. Who wins it? Let's just say that Braddock actually signed to fight Schmeling in early 1937 and actually defended against him like he should have.
He did not have to, and the Louis deal made him a wealthy man. But for the record I reckon Braddock would of had one more brilliant performance in him, as he wins a close decision, with the whole of the country behind him against the evil Nazi.
At that stage in their careers, I lean towards Braddock by decision... Prime for prime...I'd take Schmeling by KO in 13...
Schmeling would have butchered Braddock. Schmeling never took an oponent lightly and always turned up in tip top condition. If you beat Schmeling close to his peak it generally ment that you were better than him. If a title is on the line then Braddock is going to take a helacious beating.
I disagree on this one sorry , i like Braddock , but i think Schmeling was great and could still pull this one off at this stage of his career. I think Braddock would make this close though. Maybe Schmeling times a right for a knockdown or 2 and seals it
At this stage of his career Schmeling is coming off his career best win. He might well be at his absolute peak. I dont see any comfort for Braddock on the grounds of Schmeling slipping.
I didnt mean he would have comfort because of Schmeling slipping , i just meant he would do well brcause i respect him as a fighter. You are right saying that he may have been his prime , i just meant that he was 31 and you never know when a fighter will 'become old' , especially in that era being over 30 aswell
Schmeling, riding on the high of that masterful beating of Joe Louis, if he was given the shot that he so rightfully deserved, would have methodically cut down Braddock in 12 or 13, in my opinion. Anti-Nazi feeling in this country probably prompted Braddock to stiff Schmeling as he did and prevent the fight from taking place. Braddock was maybe not sure he could have beaten Schmeling, who after all, dominated and ko'd rather fearlessly the same man who was causing all the other heavyweights in the world to practically **** in their britches with fright, even BEFORE the first bell. Anyway, I believe that after ko'ing Louis, Jim Braddock wouldn't have presented very many problems for Schmeling, and in another well executed, strategic type battle, Schmeling would have patiently waited for the right time, and would have decked Braddock and hurt him with right hand counters in round 10 or so, and after 3 or 4 more rounds of sustained punishment, would have won a 14 round tko.
One thing about Schmeling is that he spelled verry bad news for anybody less talented than himself. He consistently butchered the contenders that Baer and Sharkey were spliting series with even though he wouldnt necisarily beat those two. I think Braddock was less talented than Schmeling and I think that Schmeling would respect him enough to give him his undevided atention.
Jimmy Braddock should be commended for his heart and toughness. This means he could give the fans their monies worth, but victory for Braddock seems unlikely as he simply lacks the speed, skills, and power to do well vs Schmeling on points, and isn;t likely to score a knockout either. I think Schmeling wins an easy points decsion, or scores a mid to late round TKO. Regarding Braddock, although he did reasonably well vs Joe Louis ( I gave him two rounds ), he faded badly and seemed to lack stamina. The layoff hurt Braddock.
While Braddock was a better fighter than his record might suggest, I'm surprised that a few of you are picking him here to beat Schmeling.
I'm inclined to agree with this, although even a this stage, a Schmeling victory would not surprise me either. Braddock's career certainly on an upswing at this point, and Schmeling was past his prime, but he was always a much better fighter. At this point, to me, it's pick 'em fight, and I lean ever so slightly to Braddock.
