James J. Braddock a comeback, and in 1935 he fought Max Baer for the heavyweight title and won. For this unlikely feat he was given the nickname "Cinderella Man" by Damon Runyon. Braddock was managed by Joe Gould. Braddock was born in Hell's Kitchen in New York City on West 48th Street. He moved to North Bergen, New Jersey at an early age. He was one of seven children being raised by immigrant parents; Irish mother Elizabeth O'Tool and Anglo-Irish father Joseph Braddock. He stated his life's early ambition was to play college football for Knute Rockne at the University of Notre Dame,
Jimmy Ellis (boxer) watching boxing as he'd seen too many damaged by it. Ellis was survived by three brothers and a sister. Son Jeff played professional football and confirmed the family were always immensely proud of Ellis's achievements and world title. He is not to be confused with a journeyman heavyweight boxer of the same name, born in 1964. Jimmy Ellis (boxer) James Albert Ellis (February 24, 1940 – May 6, 2014) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1975. He won the vacant WBA heavyweight title in 1968 by defeating Jerry Quarry, making one successful title defense in the