James J. Braddock was born in a small flat on West 48th Street in New York City on June 7th, 1906. Born in Hell's Kitchen to an Irish immigrant family in 1903, destined to raise a family during the depression, life w... more »as not going to be easy for Jim Braddock. His struggles and torments honed him into a fighter, one who would go on to be the Heavyweight Champion of the World, shocking fans and critics alike. "Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story" explores the roller coaster rise and fall and rise again of Jim's life. He fought hard to earn his recognition as a fighter, and then had it all taken away when he, and the rest of the country fell into hard times during the Great Depression. More than a great tale of boxing, this is an underdog tale of Jim's tireless drive to succeed. "Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story" recounts how Jim worked back-to-back double shifts to feed his family, and still went on to fight when the rare opportunity would come along, during the turbulent twenties. His inner fortitude became a ray of hope for the rest of the nation. Included are recounts and opinions from some of the most renowned boxing historians and Jim Braddock experts, like Burt Sugar, expert and author who has appeared in Boxing Insider, David Margolick, contributing writer at Vanity Fair and Braddock biographer, and Sal Rappa, contributor to Cyber Boxing Zone and world famous expert. The documentary explores the historically significant fights against Louis Schmelling, Art Lasky, and of course the battle against Max Baer that gave Jim the World Heavyweight Championship title, and drove Max to retire from the sport. Jim not only became an icon of boxing, but a symbol of the Depression Era and a living tribute to the American spirit. Jim Braddock had an indomitable drive to be the best, against insurmountable odds.« less