They could Have Been (Oscar) Contenders

Ever since Wallace Beery won the Best Actor Oscar in 1932 for playing a boozy palooka in The Champ, a throng of fight flicks have gained top acting nominations for two-fisted performances. HILARY SWANK, in Million Dollar Baby, vies this year for her second Best Actress award. She may be an odds-on favorite, but history tells us that most boxing roles aren't knockouts.

NAME John Garfield

FILM Body and Soul

YEAR 1947

DECISION Garfield stayed down for the count, but the picture won an Oscar for Best Film Editing

NAME Sylvester Stallone

FILM Rocky

YEAR 1976

DECISION Stallone and co-stars Talia...

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