His name was James J. Braddock. In 1929 he was the middleweight contender for boxing champion of the world. He had it all- a wonderful wife, 3 kids, a nice home, and money in the bank- because boxers were the highest paid athletes in those days. The depression hit, his bank failed- and all his money was gone. He lost his house, his boxing skills faded after breaking his right hand in a bout, and he soon found himself working part time at the docks to try to support his wife and kids who were living in a run- down apartment. He finally had to go on welfare. He had a manager named Joe Gould, who never gave up on him, and got him a big fight in 1934- which he won, And then another. Then he took $300 and took it to the county welfare office and paid them back for what he had taken. Then he got the chance of a lifetime- to fight Max Baer for the heavyweight title. Max Baer had killed a man in the ring, and considered Braddock to be a washed up has-been. Max Baer had a surprise in store.
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