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.

this is so not true, max did not what to fight james the story is not 100% true , ron should of got all his facts stright,

Happy Birthday to you Cinderella Man! Just watched the movie, amazing, shocking, and inspirational! Proud to call him an American!!! God Bless!

I heard my father talk about Braddock. Max Baer, the champ that James J. Braddock beat for the championship, was the physical instructer when my father was in boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during WW II. Me and my lady friend are seeing the movie Friday. Braddock would have beat the pants off of Muhammad Ali in the first round if he could catch him. Braddock was a real champ, like the Brown Bomber, and were not draft dodgers.

We just saw the movie and were blown apart especially because we could not believe this has happened for real!

We also just realized that it is the great mans 100th Birthday... Here is wishing to the Cinderella Man...

From Ithaca New York,

Prashant Kakad

My wife (who is in no way a boxing fan) and I was very touched by the heartwarming story of James and his family. He was a man of great courage and dignity and I am glad that now more people of this era can know a lot more about this fine man.

6.6.05
Today we learned, by watching the "Cinderella Man", about a wonderful individual striving to provide for his family in what was one of the toughest periods in American history. He was a man of conviction & character.

We thank his family for sharing their father's/grandfather's life with the rest of us. It was a time that challenged all men, but the essence of a man was measured by his morales and character, not the "toys"he owned or what he wore. The movie even shed light on the "sacrifice" that was shared by friends.

Our hats are off to Ron Howard in another "heart-warming" film that truly inspires men!

Ron & Judi Walch
P.S. This will be a DVD that will be in our home!

The character portrayed by Russell Crowe was one of the most likable characters I have seen portrayed on the big screen. I smiled, cried, and cheered throughout this movie. James Braddock has become one of my real heroes. Happy Birthday in Heaven champ.

Great site. I was always intrigued by Braddock's rags-to-riches story, and I'm glad someone finally made a movie about it.

Well done, Mr. Howard.

Davey

I went with my son to see the movie, thinking I wasn't interested in watching a sports movie on boxing. By the time I left the theater-I had cried, cheered in triumph and rejoiced at Braddock's determination to overcome all barriers put before him. This movie is a true inspiration for anyone - boxing lover or not. Happy 100th Birthday!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Jimmy . . .You and your family deserve the attention this movie about you is getting. "Cinderella Man" was so good, inspiring and exciting that I actually saw it twice over the weekend. Once with a friend and 2 days later took my 23 year old son to see it. He liked it nearly as much. I enjoyed Russell Crowe's portrayal of Braddock, he brought out the humility and courage of a man from an era when when men wore fedoras, took care of their families and kept their word. My dad died in the late 40s when I was 4, I would have been proud to have a dad like James J. Braddock--I'm glad someone did and shared him with us even for a short time on screen. Thanks.

Thank you Ron Howard for making a classic boxing drama. This was one of the best films I have seen!

Happy 100th Birthday Jimmy! I saw that movie on Friday and it's the best boxing movie I've ever seen in my life!: ) Even though I've only seen that one and Million Dollar Baby, but this one was better because of the wonderful happy ending.. this movie was awesome and if it comes to town, I'm going to see it again!! This movie is inspiring to people and me as well. I've thought of taking up some boxing also. I was speechless.. Ron Howard did awesome! Give Russell Crowe another Oscar!<3 Good Job! I'll never forget this movie as long as I live!

Avid boxing fan of previous years. Deserted the sport as of late. Knowing spouse dragged me to the movie. Sure the movie took liberties (of course). I rarely patronise movies, but once in a while, there is an example of - well, something that really serves a purpose, besides entertainment.
Simply, this movie helps me to be just a little more improved. Bravo, Ron Howard. Hey, this guy Giametti(as Jay Gould), should get an Oscar.

Let me just say I grew up on the corner of 75th and Broadway. Only a few blocks from James J. Braddock park. Spent much of my childhood roaming those streets and even had my first beer in the park. I always knew James J. Braddock was a boxer, but I had no clue what a role model and just a great human being he was. I am proad to say I am fron North Bergen and wish there were more people in this world like the Bulldog.

Just returned from watching Ron Howard's Cinderella Man and couldn't get to my computer fast enough to learn more about Mr. Braddock. The film was truly inspiring and its portrayal of the determined boxer has made me adjust my own attitude regarding boxing as well as given me a new Irish-American hero to honor. Thank you to all involved, from Braddock's family to the cast and crew of this terriffic bio-pic.
I was delighted to read at this website that Sara, Mike's widow, was played by James J. Braddock's granddaughter. You did a wonderful job!
Thank you again for bringing this man to the attention this and many generations to come.
Happy 100th Birthday, Mr. Braddock!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!!! Seventy years after you got the Title, you're still a hero to millions!!!

Just saw the movie Cinderella Man. It was wonderful and will be an inspiration to all who will see it. What a story! Thanks, Ron Howard!

Cinderella Man was the best movie either my husband or I have ever seen! My father was a professional boxer in 1940. While he was stationed in San Francisco, he hung out by Pier 49 at a place called DiMaggio's where he met many other boxers. My Dad is currently in critical condition with 10% heart pumping, lung cancer, and diabetes. Hospice has been called in to make him comfortable. I spoke with him after seeing the movie tonight, and he remembers "Jimmy Braddock" well, and he is looking forward to seeing the movie when it becomes available on DVD (I pray he lives long enough to do just that). I would love to see a photo of Jimmy's wife. Can you post one to this website? Best of everything to all of you. By the way, my Dad, after being a boxer, then a fighter pilot in WWII, ran a meat company in Tyler, TX, where I grew up. So, Jimmy and I had a lot in common with our fathers being butchers, and he and my Dad being boxers. I could go on and on, I love my Dad so very deeply, and I wish I had photos of him when he boxed. His name is Robert Clarence Holder. Thank you for listening! Kathryn Holder Fay

I'm Irish, I'm Lucky & I'm Inspired by having seen the movie & the Man...his payback, his persistence and his precious family life is the best punchline of the movie. He wasn't just Cinderella Man he was a Real Prince!!

what a great movie,what great man.we need jim in the white house.
i am glad to see also the movie did not put a bad light on the catolic church and my girlfriend like it too,thank you sue

We were so impressed by the story of James J. Braddock. We were raised in Sacramento, CA, home of Max Baer and his family. We believe Max was humbled by his defeat by Mr. Braddock. He was a rather kind person in his later years. Thank you for sharing the story. Mr. Braddock deserves a great deal of credit for his fortitude and love of his family and friends.

Again, thank you.

Terry and Gregg Scott

I just saw the movie this past weekend with my husband and friend and was moved by James J. Braddock's story that I wanted to learn more about this wonderful boxer and family man. In the past, I thought boxing was brutal and violent, but since watching Million Dollar Baby and the TV show, The Contender, I see it more as a sport and the story behind the people who risk their lives for a better future and the determination to win for themselves as well as for their families. Thank you for this wonderful website. I am now a boxing fan.

I just saw the movie and drove away with this predominant thought. Every commissioner of every sports league, amateur, college or pro, regardless of the sport, should suspend all play until every participant of every sport goes to see this film. I always thought that "Brian's Song" was the best human relationship/sports film. Not anymore. Ron Howard did a terrific job. Crowe, Zellweger, and underrated Paul Giamatti were all terriffic. But Moreover what a terrific human being Ron Howard found to share with or should I say educate America about. I, like most of the people that have opined before me, found myself scrambling out of the theatre (with moist eyes) to my computer trying to read more about Mr Braddock. I truly didn't know that he had beat "Jethro's Daddy" before I saw the film. Thanks Braddock family for sharing your family's lifestory with America and soon the rest of the world.

P.S. No wonder Jethro was so darn goofy !!!

I admire Jim Braddock the man as well as the Champion. My uncle was great lightweight boxer who fought and beat men like Ike Williams, so I appreciate the hard work and guts it takes to be a boxer let alone a Champion. God Bless you Jimmy.

What a story. I don't ever jump up & yell in a theater, but I did last night. If the man protrayed in the movie is like the real James J Braddock -- what a man...sweet & wonderful husband & fighter! WHAT A BOXER TOO! Thanks for sharing personal family information - it made a wonderful story!