Braddock: The Rise Of The Cinderella Man

The Story

The only available biography of a boxing legend. James J. Braddock's nickname-the Cinderella Man-was an understatement. His rise from hard-luck, bottom-rung local slugger to heavyweight champion of the world is still regarded as one of the greatest true-life triumphs in the history of sport. Here, published to coincide with the release of Ron Howard's film Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe, is the story of a man who saw that the odds were against him-so he stepped into the ring and beat them. From his rise through the ranks as a promising young pro and his heartbreaking decision defeat at the hands of champion Tommy Loughran to the hard times after the stock market crash-when he could barely support his family-and his miraculous win over heavyweight champ Max Baer in 1935, Braddock's life is a moving underdog story. He once inspired a depression-era America that had lost all hope, and today, his story will captivate readers with its blend of the history of a sport and an era with the biography of a champion in the ring and in life. Universal/Miramax will release the major motion picture Cinderella Man in spring 2005. Russell Crowe will star, Ron Howard will direct.