James J. Braddock

James Walter Braddock fought as James J. Braddock and was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight championship from 1935 to 1937. Born on 7 June 1905 in the Hells Kitchen neighbourhood of Manhattan, he grew up in Hudson County, New Jersey, and turned professional at 21. He was known for a spoiling, counterpunching style, a powerful right hand and an iron chin. Chronic hand injuries and the Great Depression forced him to work as a longshoreman and collect social assistance, but he returned to the ring and in 1935 beat Max Baer for the title, earning the nickname Cinderella Man from Damon Runyon. He was managed by Joe Gould and died on 29 November 1974.