errol flynn have one of his favorite role a the brash braggart from a fight irish family who go on to become the heavyweight champion of the world at a time when john l. sullivan ( ward bond ) go around claim that he could beat any man alive . both flynn and ward bond give what be probably among the best performance they ever give on screen . raoul walsh have direct the colorful tale with robust style and capture the family life as well with scene that be warm hearted and full of good humor . all the warner contract player make up the fine cast include the always reliable alan hale a flynn rambunctious father and proud of his son fight ability and and alexis smith who make the most of her role a a feisty society girl who enjoy take flynn down a peg with saucy one liner deal with his conceited manner . all of the 1880s atmosphere be capture in glorious b and w and although it too bad warner do not have more faith in flynn to do the film in color . he be enter a rocky phase of his film career at the time and engage in a widely publicize rape trial that have all of the tabloid busy sort thing out . the fighting scene be among the best ever choreograph for the screen and with flynn obviously in fine form and make very little use of double for most of the action . and the scene where bond turn over his award plaque to flynn at a social gathering be one of ward fine moment in a long career a a character actor . sum up represent maintains interest all the way through and whether youre a sport fan or not .