Aussie Joe Bugner battled against some of the most renowned names in boxing, never once hitting the floor. It came as no shock that he stood his ground when faced with Hollywood heavyweight 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.

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. 

Bugner also carved out a niche as a television and media figure, serving as a commentator for Channel Seven and joining shows like I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

With a seamless mix of boxing expertise and media know-how, Bugner was Crowe’s go-to when planning his early 2000s Hollywood hit, 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.

During sparring sessions, even with full padding, Crowe needed to maintain focus, or he risked injury.

‘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.

‘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 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.