boxing movies that should be made

[Tom Cruise]

Lew Jenkins would be an almost 'too crazy to be taken seriously' type movie.

Came from a desperately poor family and was raised during the great depression

Started out boxing for money in carnivals.

Won the LW title after KOing the great Lou Ambers, though, according to him , he was probably a natural featherweight if he trained properly (you'll see why later).

Huge puncher. Listed in Rings 100 greatest punchers.

Alcoholic (even drank before and during top level fights),

Lived life constantly on the edge (crashed several cars, motorbikes, spent the money he made from Ambers fight on Whiskey, women and cars),

After one accident he was forced to wear a neck brace, but he was scheduled to fight Sammy Angott in a 15 rounder. Jenkins took the brace off, fought Angott for 15 rounds (lost obviously) and then put it back on afterwards

On top of all that he became a decorated war hero during the second world war [**edit: Korean War**], earning the Silver Star for saving fellow troops who were stranded behind enemy lines.

The film would have to be made in a kind of dark, comic kind of way, because there is no way people would believe it as a standard biopic.

[Humean]

Biopics usually stink. Better to make a fictional piece but a tragedy about the lfie of Carlos Monzon or Battling Siki might be interesting.

[rightsideup]

Biopics usually stink. Better to make a fictional piece but a tragedy about the lfie of Carlos Monzon or Battling Siki might be interesting.

Too some degree I agree with you about the biopics they never seem to do a well written book justice or for example I have read three books on sugar ray Robinson one in which he co wrote. I own two copies one which has some detail of a slight dark side of his personality. In the new Duran movie I hope that deniro does not dominate the movie and some of Duran successes post ray arcel are brought into the story. Frankly Ray arcel led an amazing life and should be the subject of his own biopic

[Humean]

Too some degree I agree with you about the biopics they never seem to do a well written book justice or for example I have read three books on sugar ray Robinson one in which he co wrote. I own two copies one which has some detail of a slight dark side of his personality. In the new Duran movie I hope that deniro does not dominate the movie and some of Duran successes post ray arcel are brought into the story. Frankly Ray arcel led an amazing life and should be the subject of his own biopic

The problem with biopics is that they are usually very episodic. Raging Bull was so good because Scorsese didn't got down that route with LaMotta but instead made it a character study. There are certainly plenty of amazing stories in boxing, almost endless, but I doubt many, or indeed any, would play out well on screen. Perhaps a mini-series would have the best chance. Frankie Carbo's control of the sport through the International Boxing Club and the Manager's Guild would be a good subject, especially as it also connects to the world of television as the IBC were the ones usually promoting the shows during all those televised title fights in the 50s.

[rightsideup]

The problem with biopics is that they are usually very episodic. Raging Bull was so good because Scorsese didn't got down that route with LaMotta but instead made it a character study. There are certainly plenty of amazing stories in boxing, almost endless, but I doubt many, or indeed any, would play out well on screen. Perhaps a mini-series would have the best chance. Frankie Carbo's control of the sport through the International Boxing Club and the Manager's Guild would be a good subject, especially as it also connects to the world of television as the IBC were the ones usually promoting the shows during all those televised title fights in the 50s.

i totally agree with you on the mini series concept and yes Scorese is a genius i did not read jakes biography but i enjoyed raging bull immensely. Some fighters have lead such interesting lives and had such long careers that a mini series might be the way to go. your suggestion of one done on organized crimes role in boxing would be fantastic subject material.

[The Old LefHook]

I could see the guy who played Louis in the Joe and Max cable movie doing a good job again. Not sure who could play Hopkins, but there's probably a young actor out there with a similar face that can be trained.

So, Tony, have you watched Hard Times yet?

[Tails]

I think a HBO/Netflix type series on a boxer would make for a better watch than a movie. Their is simply too much to capture on a boxers career, from amateurs all the to there final fights, to have it limited to two to three hours.

I also think that having a true 'bad guy' to be the face of the series would make for an interesting watch. I always felt that Tony Ayala Jr would make for a great series simply because of the material. You could start from his childhood life,go to his young amateur days, continue to his pro career where he is supposed to be the next big thing being showcased on the cover of The Ring ****zine. And he has some bad stuff associated with him from his heroin addiction to the **** convictions. You also have his attempted comeback after getting paroled from prison and then his eventual death later on from heroin.

Basically it would be a true story of a talented young boxer ruining his chance at stardom and never being able to live up to what was expected of him by many back then.

[joseph5620]

Life stories that would be great films

Obviously ali, but that's already been done...

My personal choices would be
Tyson
Hopkins
Toney
Camacho
Golata
Lennox
Monzon
Jack johnson


Those guys have wildly dramatic careers and would make great stories

Those would be very interesting to me. There is an older film based on the life of Jack Johnson played by James Earl Jones.

[Scott9945]

Those would be very interesting to me. There is an older film based on the life of Jack Johnson played by James Earl Jones.

That was "The Great White Hope". I saw I when it came out. Not much of a boxing movie, tbh.

[joseph5620]

That was "The Great White Hope". I saw I when it came out. Not much of a boxing movie, tbh.

Oh okay, thanks Scott. I won't bother watching it