Paul Giamatti To Train Crowe In 'Cinderella Man'

[Monday, February 2nd, 2004]
Paul Giamatti (American Splendor) is in final negotiations to join Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger in director Ron Howard's period boxing project Cinderella Man, according to Variety.

The Universal/Miramax co-production tells the tale of real-life heavyweight boxing champ Jim Braddock (Crowe). During the 1930s, Braddock was an aging boxer who made a comeback while trying to provide for his family during the Depression. Giamatti would star as the trainer of Crowe's character. Craig Bierko stars as heavyweight champ Max Baer, who faces Braddock in a 15-round slugfest.

Giamatti will be advised by Angelo Dundee, a boxing great who trained 15 world champions, including Muhammad Ali.

Production was last week pushed back one month to an April start after Crowe suffered an injury to his shoulder -- described as a dislocation with damage -- while training in a boxing ring in Sydney. According to Universal, Crowe will immediately undergo arthroscopic surgery followed by intense physiotherapy.

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