He was a dirt-poor sharecropper's son from Alabama whose job resume included cotton-picking, delivering ice, and factory work. No one paid much attention to the big, silent man -- until he took up boxing. Then the whole world noticed Joe Louis Barrow. In Pompton Lakes, there was special interest. Louis -- he dropped the Barrow family name after he began fighting in 1934 -- trained at Doc Bier's "health farm" on Perrin Avenue. The modest-size borough was his home-away-from-home during boxing's heyday from 1935 through 1950. The memories of that Damon Runyonesque era came rushing back on May 29 when Pompton Lakes dedicated Joe Louis Memorial Park on Perrin Avenue. The gala includes the unveiling of a 7-ton statue of Louis in boxing stance, etched from black Vermont stone by sculptor Tony Sgobba of Paterson. Those around at the time recall thrilling encounters with a 6-foot, 200-pound heavyweight champ whose irresistible fists conquered nearly all comers. And they remember a friendly guy, who helped pay for the town's first ambulance and a police radio tower. He shook youngsters' hands and patted their heads. He waved to townsfolk on his morning runs, and visited their homes. When Joe Louis was in town, every day seemed like a holiday. "His heart was in Pompton Lakes," said Lou Duva, the Boxing Hall of Fame manager-trainer-promoter from Totowa, a friend of Louis' in good times and bad. Let me credit the designer here: Sgobba's Monument Works 1 Totowa Ave. Totowa, New Jersey 07512 973-595-8705

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