Aussie Joe Bugner went toe-to-toe with some of boxing’s biggest names without hitting the canvas, so it was no surprise he refused to back down when confronted by Hollywood tough guy Russell Crowe.
Bugner’s brave tale ended this week, when he succumbed to dementia and died in Brisbane, aged 75.
However, Bugner – who was born in Hungary and raised in Britain – will be remembered as Australia’s only heavyweight champion after leaving the UK.
He twice went the distance with Muhammad Ali and fought Joe Frazier in a gruelling twelve-round contest, earning respect even as British fans often jeered him.
In the 1980s he moved to Australia, where he was reborn as ‘Aussie Joe,’ winning national titles and later the WBF heavyweight belt aged 48.
He also became a television and media personality, working as a commentator for Channel Seven and appearing on shows like I’m a I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
Bugner, pictured with his wife Marlene, became a sporting hero Down Under after moving to Australia and continuing his winning ways in the ring
Bugner twice went the distance against the legendary Muhammad Ali (pictured), and also lasted until the final bell against ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier
Crowe (right) is pictured promoting the film Cinderella Man. He hired Bugner as a consultant to help get him ready to portray a legendary boxer in the movie
It was a perfect blend of boxing experience and media savvy that prompted Crowe to call Bugner when he was planning to make his next Hollywood blockbuster in the early 2000s, Cinderella Man.
Cinderella Man tells the true story of James J. Braddock, a Depression-era boxer who made an unlikely comeback.
Once thought finished, he rose from poverty to become heavyweight champion, inspiring hope during America’s darkest years.
Crowe wanted to do the story justice, so he decided to enlist Bugner – who was still fighting at the time – as a consultant to whip him into shape.
It all started very amicably.
‘I told Russell straight off that pro boxing is a very dangerous business,’ Bugner said at the time.
‘And even in the sparring sessions that we’ll be doing when we’re all padded up, he’ll still have to concentrate hard on what’s going on or he can get hurt.
‘But Russell assured me that he fully realises the seriousness of the fight game and that he has a lot of hard work ahead of him.
The relationship between Crowe and Bugner quickly soured as the movie star (pictured left, with co-star Paul Giamatti) launched a tirade on the boxing legend
Cinderella Man was a true story about James J. Braddock (pictured), a Depression-era boxer who made an incredible comeback to become champion
‘He also added that once he’s committed to any role he becomes very determined and very motivated.
‘Both physically and mentally, Russell made an excellent first impression on me as someone who could convincingly play a world heavyweight champion.
‘After six weeks in the ring with me, he will come out knowing a lot more about how to handle himself in a fight.’
But the relationship soured just days into the six-week contract, with Crowe and his infamous, explosive temper coming to the fore.
‘He started at me, calling me an idiot and saying that I didn’t know anything about boxing,’ Bugner said.
It was an insult the former world champion was not going to take lightly, opening up with both barrels and reportedly calling Crowe a ‘gutless worm’, among other things.
‘I said to him, “I’m not a phony, whereas all you do is read scripts.” I said, “Russell, go and shove your head up your [expletive]”,’ Bugner recalled.
‘And I hung up. … I don’t think we would have got on well. I was never going to put up with his silly tantrums. And he behaves like a [expletive] girl.’
Bugner (pictured with Muhammad Ali) held onto his resentment over the treatment he copped from Russell Crowe for many, many years
While there were plenty of speed bumps along the way, Crowe’s Cinderella Man was a critical and commercial hit
Bugner held a long grudge with the Hollywood star, and opened up about the old wounds in an interview with Channel 10 years later.
‘Russell Crowe is a silly sod. He’s a New Zealander who came here and tried to take over our beautiful country,’ he said.
‘It doesn’t work that way, not when I’m here.’
Then, appearing on Ten’s Studio 10 program, he revealed that he was four days into his six-week training camp with Crowe when he discovered that American boxing manager, promoter, trainer and cornerman Angelo Dundee had been called in to take his place.
‘I was very upset,’ Bugner said.
‘So I rang Russell and I said to him … I can’t say it because it is on television.
‘Where are you Russell? I will still take you on.’
The making of the movie turned out to be anything but a Cinderella story.
Before filming had even begun, Crowe dislocated his shoulder while training.
The injury delayed production for several weeks as he underwent surgery and rehabilitation before returning to the set.
Then original director, William Nicholson, departed the project early in development after creative differences stalled progress.
Ron Howard was later brought in, shaping the project into the critically acclaimed film that reached cinemas in 2005.
