James J. Braddock - Guestbook

Welcome to the official guestbook of the James J Braddock website. Due to spam, we have been forced stop guestbook entries.

A true inspiration of what life is about! I came out admiring the fierce love that Jim held in fighting for his family and the hope that he generated not only in the past but to anyone that reads how much of a light he was and what a difference his life stood out for not giving up when all seemed lost. Especially reminding me that there is more than just the problem in front!

As a lifelong fan of boxing, I was somewhat familiar with Jimmy's life and achievements; to see the film was a pleasure -it was an outstanding production based upon a truly incredible athlete and amazing man! This film will now become one of my few, cherished favorites -it will help make up for the fact that I'm too young to have had the pleasure of actuallying seeing Jimmy fight during his lifetime. Thank you so much for sharing so much of him with the rest of us through this wonderful website!

Didn't quite know the story before we went to see the movie, but we were very impressed by your inspirational father. We thought it was about a boxer that died in the ring and we were very pleased to find out that that was not the case. We found this website because we wanted to find out more about him. Thank you.

I am the daughter of Irish Tommy Brady and Irish Bobby Brady of Jersey City and met Jimmy at my father's tavern where the "old time fighters" used to meet - I remember shaking his hand. My father thought the world of him. On Fathers' Day I went to see the movie - my father would have loved that.

My husband and I were priveledged to have seen the movie this past weekend. I cried. When the movie ended, the sold out theatre applauded! With the exception of my husband, I told him they do not make men like they used too. Cinderella Man was simply the best movie I have seen in a very long time. If Oscar does not feel the same than he is a fool.

I saw the movie, Cinderella Man, and it was quite an inspiration. I was born in 1949 but my father was born in 1909 and told me many times how exciting the Max Baer fight was. My father was a big fan of Braddock.

In an age of grossly overpaid egotistical athletes, what a pleasure it was to watch a film depicting a wonderful man who loved hisfamily above all else.

The best movie of the year so far, in my opinion, and based on a truly great American hero's life. What an amazing man. To pay back his relief money is really inspiring. We need more modern day people to catch onto his way of thinking! Everyone connected with this film did an awe inspiring job, and it shows. I went back and saw it again, and I will buy it when it comes out on DVD.

My husband (a boxing enthusiast) and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie this past weekend. What a great family! I'm sure you're very proud of your heritage and Jim's legacy.

I just talked to my father whom was 14 at the time of the fight. He lived a block away from the arena. He and a bunch of his buddies heard about the fight and talked amongst themselves and said it would be a Baer wins fight. So decided not to go to fight. 14 yrs old new york they were going to sneak in. Anyway went to the semi pro baseball game instead. All this is with in walking distance. Some one had the fight on their car radio and they could hear that Braddock was winning. So off they ran to sneak into the fight. They saw the last two rounds of the fight. Some of the names of the kids in that group were Yump, big legs, and Charlie and Joe. I think of the little raschals. My dad is now 83 with congestive heart failure and on oxegon but him and mom went to see that movie the other day. My dad has a sharp memory and lots of great stories about New York when he was a kid. He live in Astoria , New YOrk , on long Island at the time.

Great Movie, Incredible Man. The Braddock family should always be proud. James J Braddock was a gentlemen outside and inside the ring. Mike Tyson should be ashamed of himself.

The movie was exceptional. Ron Howard, Crowe, and Zellweger created magic around what I now know to an inspiring and uplifting story. The world today could use some more Braddocks.

What a family!!!!Courage can never be defeated...

i have known braddocks story for years and now feel like a proud parent because before all of the movie hype i knew of him and his many trials...he taught me so much about how well we all have it now and how not very long ago life was very difficult...imagine we all had his drive, determination and modesty!!!!!! by the way has sylvester stallone ever given credit for basically taking this mans exact story and making the rocky story out of it??? from the down and out dockworker to the turtles to the flamboyant champ to the hometown crown...i sure hope he did...braddocks family deserves royalties, i would say....

He was a good one.

We saw the movie on its opening day, and it was like sitting in an arena, watching a fight. The movie was great! No one left the theater with dry eyes.
Jay, I met your father on a few occasions. Sorry for your loss. My husband and I lived in Saddle Brook after our marriage, and I knew your dad from American Legion Post 415. I now know why he was so charitable.
I bought two books about your Grandfather for my husband, and he read them in a week!
Keep his name alive!

I just saw the film! Excellent. I did not know the story of James J. Braddock, so I did not fully know what to anticipate as the movie unfolded. What an inspirational story. This was one of the best film depictions of life in the Great Depression that I have ever seen. And Braddock's personal story--and how he brought hope to others--is certainly a heroic one!

Words can never express how I felt when I watched the movie. It was such an inspirational movie, it really hit home with us. I have never seen a US Marine shed a tear over a movie but when I turned around to glance at my husband I knew then, that this movie was a glimpse of hope for him. Thank you for allowing strangers to be part of your grandfathers dreams.

Very inspiring life story. The film was great and i can only hope that it accurately described Braddock's struggle to triumph.

First, the website is one of the best I've ever used as to navigation and ease of use. Second, if the movie honestly displayed the kind of man James Braddock was then he is a true American hero. What an inspiration his life can be to so many people today who would rather give-up, give-in and let life roll over them without realizing the blessings they have and what it means to be alive.

What an outstanding film, especially produced by Miramax, (Miriam and Max Weinstein) who have produced negative Catholic films in the past. To counter this, Rob Howard had an influential and a positive effect on this movie. His treatment of the Catholic faith was very fair. Although, I don't think that any Catholic Church would be a venue for a boxing radio broadcast. It would more likely be an an adjacent hall that would have heard the fight. As far as Max Baer is concerned, he wore the Star of David on the left lower part of his boxing shorts. In NYC the three ethnic groups in the 1930's were Irish, Italian and Jewish. Max's manager was Jewish and in a previous fight with the the maybe NAZI German, Max Shmeling, Baer's manager asked Baer to wear the Star of David on his shorts for promotional reasons (Jew Vs. NAZI). Baer was the son of an immigrant German- Jewish father and an American-Catholic mother growing up on a ranch/ farm in Colorado with his brother Jacob (Buddy).They were baptized as Catholics. Both Max and Buddy were professional fighters as well as future Hollywood actors. I think that Ron Howard showed Max as more of a womanizer and a killer than he was. Max was married to an actress, than had an affair with another actress before marrying an Irish -Catholic by the name of Sullivan. His three children were raised as Catholics. Max is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Sacramento, Ca.

I toke my two boys to see the movie recently. It was a learning experience for all of us. What a wonderful true story about a man who did everything to take care of his family in the toughest times in our country's history. His spirit is something we should all look to emulate. Thanks.

Jim was a great man. i knew a little about jim even before the movie and now i know the whole story. It goes to show me how easy we got it no matter how hard it seems. The movie brought something inside me to a better place and becuz of james heroic story i am now a better man. Thanks and to all of the family of James J Braddock u should be truly honored.

My grandfather like Jim was a tough irishman. He too struggled and lost his heavt equipment business in the depression but fought back and
started again in 1938. Our company still survives due to his tough nature like your Jim. I am glad they put it to film. Great Inspiration and hope !

I really needed to see this movie at this time in my life. Times now seem so very tough and discouraging. Jimmy Braddock's courage, perserverence, and integrity inspired me greatly.... so much so I will think of his fortitude as I face my challenging times.
Thank you.