I don't think I truthfully know enough to make the call. There might be some key info I'm missing, but from what I know either is plausible.
That's a fair comment. Braddock went into the Louis fight with arthiritis problems, but I think he could see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
In fairness, Braddock was given a bit of a favourable decision. It wasn't a robbery, but it seems a draw would have been fair. I doubt there'd have been much money in that fight, and it wouldn't have taken a lot to turn it into a Farr win.
The short of it is, Braddock likely loses to lots of guys. It worked out for him picking Louis, as he got 10% of his future purses.
Many think Farr deserved the nod over Braddock, in what was a close fight Farr didn't win a fight in the USA. This fight took pace in MSG, where questionable judging happened in the 1930's
For the bout between Jim Braddock and Tommy Farr, the announced gross gate was $80,645., which was substantial during the 1930s. Of course, such a gate would have been low for a world heavyweight title bout. The gross receipts for the world heavyweight title bout between Joe Louis and Braddock were $662,044.50. For the bout, Braddock received a purse of $286,317.80 or 50 percent of the net receipts. Louis received $100,211.23 or 17.5 percent of the net receipts. - Chuck Johnston
" Defending his title against Louis, Braddock was the underdog but held his own surprisingly well against the younger fighter until his eighth round knockout. Braddockâs contract with Louis, however, called for that fighter to pay 10 percent of any future title purses won should he defeat Braddock, which ensured Braddock financial security no matter who won the bout " 10% of the purses, not 10% of what Jacobs got.
Rather than just contradicting each other, you'd be better posting sources to settle this. IIRC it was for 10 years, not all future too.
Short answer he cashed and made out. He was a % of Louis purses for years. He did put Louis on his ass.