this boxing picture deal with the seedy side of the business while ( be there any other . ) . it help that it be write by abraham polonsky whose script be suitably cynical and hard boil . john garfield be the pugnacious fighter easily sway by the prospect of easy money and not adverse to take a dive . it a fine and hard nosed performance . garfield be always at his best in role that require him to battle with his conscience . the whole movie be well cast . the under rat lilli palmer be fine a the nice girl who love him a be hazel brook a the bad girl who seduce him while the villain be ably take care of by lloyd gough and william conrad . best of all there be anne revere a garfield mother . ( do revere play everybody mother movie . ) . it another of her no nonsense role . revere be one tough cookie who keep her heart of gold well hidden . the climatic fight scene be very well stag and robert parrish and france lyon edit win the oscar while james wong howe cinematography add considerably to the realism .