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.

Just watched the movie again for the i'dontknowhowmany'th time. Was always a Russel Crowe fan and am delighted to find this website. It was really great to see the early entries in the guestbook from relatives and friends of Braddock. It makes for a very special memorial.

Its sad that some people have misinterpreted a movie about the STRENGTHS of one man as an insult against another. The movie was about Braddock, not about Baer and the story was well told. Anyone can do the most basic of research about Baer and find out what kind of man he was. It is well known that he felt horrible about the deaths caused in his fights. But the Depression was a hard time for people and the movie did a phenomenal job of portraying this. It made me recall my grandfather, who at that time, was not a boxer but had no numerous occasions the need to be a fighter. He owned and operated an oyster boat under sail on Chesapeake Bay throughout the '30s, 40's and 50s. He had four children to support and they lived on an isolated island on the Bay with absolutely nothing to sustain them except hard work. He used to tell the story of one night when the boats were iced in an anchorage near Annapolis and he was unable to pay his crew until the ice cleared. Some of the crew left and went to town, several were angry at not being paid and late that nite one of them came back to the boat drunk. My Grandfather said he was sitting in the cabin below deck by his little pot-bellied wood stove trying to keep warm when the man came below and pulled a knife on him. He said "Well, I tried to talk him out of what he wanted to do but he was too drunk to listen. I didnt have a gun but I reached over to the burner handle on the stove and tried to hit him with that but it was too hot to hold. I thought ' if its hot to me it'll be hot for him too' but when I tried to swing it I had to drop it." Then he said he dropped the guy with his one and only punch, it upset him because the impact knocked the setting out of the wedding ring my Grandmother had given him. He found he had knocked the drunk out cold and for a few minutes while trying to make sure he was alright he forgot about the burner plate still laying on the wooden deck. So he was in the process of getting the now unconcious man up on deck to carry him to the hospital - still the middle of a cold, icy winter night-(oysters are only dredged in winter here) and had to run back down below and make sure there were no smoldering embers in the boat. He carried the man ashore and got him medical attention though he never said what happened to him after that.

Well, not very pertinent to boxing as stories go but still a vivid memory of a very difficult time in the Depression. Best wishes to all the Braddock family and friends.

Oh- and dont forget Renee Zellweeger, if you like her acting youll love her role in COLD MOUNTAIN- another 'hard times' story, she was great. Cheers everyone!

Coming from a family of prizefighters, I enjoy this movie every time I see it.
For the record my uncle Ralph, fought under the name Young Corbett III, from 1919-1942.

It Just goes to show the determination and courage of what one scrappy Irishman with a family to feed can accomplish I never tire of seeing the movie and hope his descendants appreciate the struggle sacrifice and courage of their heritage.So few of our sports "heroes" today are true hero's in the way they conduct their lives in and beyond public sight James J Braddock should be an example to us all not just for boxing he had his priorities straight> And bug Kudo's for Mae the courage his wife had to of had everytime he stepped into the ring.God Bless his family thanks for sharing him this way with the world.

When Braddock was a young man he faced so many hardships. However, as an Irish Catholic with the heart of a lion and the never-ending love of a father and husband he overcame his struggles with the greatest of dignity and grace. I am proud to know my heritage is also Irish Catholic and that my father, Jackson Michael Salyers, had that heart and love too. MAY THE LUCK O' THE IRISH BE WITH YOU!

jimmy was an american Hero. loved the movie

Great movie. Have seen it twice. He showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart.

Just watched the movie... he was a true fighter, a great husband and good father... he showed us what courage and determination can do.

thank you for making this site for this brave man

I saw one of the best films inspired by everyday life and is an honor for me and an inspiration for everyone. Bravo James J. Braddock are the best example for mankind and full of hope.

One of the few movie i can watch over and over. Not only was he a great fighter but i believe an even greater husband and father. He is truly someone to look up to!!

I am not old enough to ever have seen him fight, but his story is an inspiration to me. I try to live my life in the way that Mr. Braddock would and he is my hero. Thanks Mr. Braddock for everything you have done for the people of your era and the legacy you left behind for the people who have lived after you.

- Mike

What an amazing story of truth and true grit. My husband and I watched the movie last night. It was truly inspiring.

You have done a very nice job with this site, also.
Thanks to all of your fine family for keeping the honor and memory of your grandfather alive.

Jim was and is a great Person, his drive, belief, persistence and integrity are what we should all strive for.

The movie is one of my all time favorites.

I saw the film THE CINDERELLA MAN and it gave me strenght to keep on fighting even though difficulties.-
Thanks BRADDOCK where ever you are!!
GREAT LIFE EXAMPLE!

Got the film Cinderella Man on DVD,what a great true life story.James J Braddock is an inspiration with his love of his family and his ability to overcome such hardships.
Russell Crowe puts in a great performance as James as does Paul Giamatti as his manager.A great film about a great man!!!!

I'm a postgraduate student facing the problem of job and studying, while many unhappy things make me not in the mood.Recently i feel life is hard.Just moment i watched the movie The Clinderella Man,then i know James J Braddock.I am shocked by his insistence and spirit.I must be brave to face the difficulty.Everyting will be ok.Believe myself!

I'm 25 years old without a job in this bad economy, but have the determination to better myself for my family. I love to hear about the life of James J. Braddock because it teaches a valuable lesson about how to cherish the small things in life and to work hard for everything you got! Thats how you know your living! God Bless to everyone out there and never give up! Thank you, James J. Braddock and family!

I'm a single mother of identical twins and knew when I found out I was pregnant there were going to be struggles. I wanted to give my sons strong names that meant something. Both of my boys have a name that comes from a person who stood his ground, maintained faith, and persevered. My oldest (by 2 minutes) is nammed Braddock, and my youngest is Job. (For those of you who aren't Christians, it's a book in the Bible that's a MUST read. If you're going through any struggles, ya gotta read Job.)

Uma história surpreendente de luta e superação, e meus sinceros parabéns aos produtores do filme que homenageia esse verdadeiro herói da vida real... Uma verdadeira lição de vida.

I've just seen the movie. Great man and great family, they must taken as example of courage and hope in the future

Davvero un grande uomo...che ha avuto la forza e il coraggio di rialzarsi...

I see the movie and I can say that he was a real man. James was an excellent example of a courageous sportsman. He fight for a glass of milk and I have the utmost respect for him.
A really really MAN !

dopo aver visto il film in suo onore ho scoperto la storia di un grande uomo. Giuseppe

I watched the movie last night for the 6th time. It still inspires me. Jimmy Braddock was a man with courage and strength.

After watching, examining, and enjoying this movie, I couldn't help but think that this is the kind of story that everyone relates to. Simply terrific.