Free Republic

 “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound sand. I beat people up.” – Muhammad AliThe braggadocios young Muhammad Ali, nee Cassius Clay, mellowed with age and illness butt he will nevertheless always be known for his swagger.I, however, am partial to the equally great boxer butt less bodacious Joe Louis - Joe Louis and Alithe first black Heavyweight World Champion. He was always described as a gentleman. (full disclosure: my uncle was the “Brown Bomber’s” commanding officer in WWII and his promoter for awhile afterwards) The Brown Bomber with Uncle Lou, 1946Boxing is a lot like politics,...

1. Russell Crowe Triumphs in "Cinderella Man" In "Cinderella Man" (opening Friday, June 3rd), Russell Crowe once again proves that old-fashioned masculinity does not have to be completely absent from the movies. Directed by Ron Howard, "Cinderella Man" tells the uplifting, real-life story of Jim Braddock, the Depression-era boxer who rose from poverty and the soup lines to become heavyweight champion of the world. The movie has excellent moral values, and Russell Crowe (Jim Braddock), Renee Zellweger (his wife Mae Braddock), and Paul Giamatti (his manager Joe Gould) all do a fine job portraying the 30s-era characters with conviction and...