Jim Braddock: I have to believe that when things are bad I can change them.
Mae Braddock: Maybe I understand, some, about having to fight. So you just remember who you are... you're the Bulldog of Bergen, and the Pride of New Jersey, you're everybody's hope, and the kids' hero, and you are the champion of my heart, James J. ...
Joe Gould: Jesus H. Christ! Jesus Mary and Joseph! All the saints and martyrs and Jesus! Did I mention Jesus?
Jim Braddock: What're ya doin'? Howard Braddock: Nothin'. I'm bein' good. I'm bein' quiet. I'm bein' "hayved"
Jim Braddock: You think you're telling me something? Like, what, boxing is dangerous, something like that? You don't think working triple shifts and at night on a scaffold isn't just as likely to get a man killed? What about all those guys who died l...
[Mae enters a church on the day of her husband's big fight with Max Baer] Mae Braddock: I came to pray for Jim. Father Rorick: So did they. [camera pans around to reveal that the church is almost completely filled with people]
Howard Braddock: Dad, I'm being quiet, I'm being good, I'm being-have!
Sporty Lewis: Is that a ghost I'm seeing? An apparition? Or is it James J. Braddock the Bulldog of Burgen? Jim Braddock: Sporty Lewis, how ya doing?
Jim Braddock: Max, my wife Mae. Max Baer: You are far too pretty to be a widow. Jim Braddock: That's not nice, Max. Not nice. Come on. [starts to leave] Max Baer: On second thought, maybe I can comfort you after he's gone. Joe Gould: Hey, I said shut...
Jim Braddock: For two hundred and fifty dollars I would fight your wife! Joe Gould: Now you're dreaming Jim Braddock: ...and your grandmother, at the same time. Joe Gould: Teeth in or teeth out? Jim Braddock: Take 'em out! Joe Gould: Then you're dead...
Mae Braddock: Every time you get hit, feels like I'm getting' hit too.
Jimmy Johnston: Right here. Editorial says this fight is good as murder, and everybody associated with it should be hauled into court and prosecuted afterwords. They say the paper's gettin' all sorts of letters from people saying you're their inspira...
Joe Gould: You gonna punch him or pork him? Max Baer: That's your job, assho... [Braddock punches Baer]
Reporter: Bob Johnson, Boston Globe. Two days ago, we ran a story about you giving your relief money back. Can you tell our readers why? Jim Braddock: I believe we live in a great country, a country that's great enough to help a man financially when ...
Jim Braddock: You drove all the way out here to talk about the weather? Joe Gould: Maybe I was in the neighborhood! Did you ever think of that? A little fresh air! Jim Braddock: Hey Joe, this is Jersey. Joe Gould: Good point... yeah [chuckles] Joe Go...
[last title cards] Title card: Two years later Jim Braddock put his title on the line against Joe Louis. Jim knocked him down in the first round though Louis went on to win the bout. Joe Louis would always call Jim Braddock the most courageous man he...
[first title card] Title card: "In all the history of the boxing game you find no human interest story to compare with the life narrative of James J. Braddock..." - Damon Runyon
Max Baer: It's no joke, pal. People die in fairy tales all the time.
