High drama is built into boxing, so it’s hardly surprising that the sweet science has had a long and profitable association with documentary film. We’re not talking about the boxing infomercials you see on cable television, either (though they are strangely mesmerising). Leon Gast’s Academy Award winning When We Were Kings is the most obvious specimen of a serious, artistic documentary that takes prize fighting as its subject matter, but examples are numerous. In just the last few years, the silver screen has been graced by Ali and Frazier, Facing Ali, Tyson, Klitschko, Muhammad and Larry and Real Steel (that was a documentary, right?).
Looking at the list, it’s apparent that Muhammad Ali continues to be an object of fascination for filmmakers, along with heavyweights generally. Each film takes a different approach to its subject matter, but they share a willingness to look at things from fresh angles. And from Mike Tyson’s spectacular fall from grace to Hugh Jackman’s little known early days as a robot boxing promoter, they have strong central characters and narrative arcs. TQBR kept all that in mind when we drew up our hit list of boxing documentaries waiting to get made.
The Fight That Never Was
If you want to annoy a boxing fan in 2013, just ask him or her why Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather never happened. It’s a sore point – – Manny vs. Floyd was meant to be our “Rumble in the Jungle.” The bitterness obscures a great story, though. The process that went into not making the fight could have been written in Hollywood — involving as it did huge egos, rumours of exotic investors, briefcases full of cash and karaoke TV appearances. Imagine the dramatic final scene, in which a white bearded, ex-presidential Pacquiao finally meets Mayweather and the two embrace like old friends.
The Sunshine Showdown
Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman were the three kings of heavyweight boxing’s golden era. They were archetypes, icons and symbols, so it’s not difficult to see why most of their fights have already been the subject of documentaries. But one fight has escaped comprehensive treatment, Frazier and Foreman’s January 1973 clash in Kingston, Jamaica (pictured above).
Frazier was the undisputed heavyweight champion at the time, fresh from defeating Ali in “the fight of the century.” Foreman, who had not yet become an all-American grill selling multi-millionaire preacher, was a terrifying apparition with a 37-0 record and an Olympic gold medal. The fight was brutally one sided, with Frazier tasting the canvas six times. It would have been enough to put a lesser man off, but “Smokin’ Joe” was game for a rematch three years later, just seven months after losing the brutal “Thrilla in Manila.” They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
B-Hop
B-Hop sounds like something you’d buy at a health food store, and this documentary would have to be careful not to get confused with a new age anti-aging propaganda. Bernard Hopkins was worthy of a biopic (perhaps starring Denzel Washington, Will Smith is too vanilla) when he transformed himself from a convict into the middleweight champion of the world. The same man becoming a world champion again at the age of 48 would have people walking out of theatres in disbelief, though and requires the documentary treatment. And Khloe Kardashian named her dog after him, which should attract the yoof, or something.
Facing Tyson
Granted, it’s a little derivative, but I think Facing Tyson would make for fascinating viewing. Ted A. Kluck wrote a book by the same name in 2006, but I’m sure he’d be willing to option the movie rights. Every boxer has to confront their fears, but stepping into the ring against Mike Tyson was the stuff of nightmares. Who wouldn’t want to know what was running through those men’s minds and running down their legs as they walked to the ring to face the baddest man on the planet. Any documentary would need to hear from the boxers who Tyson steamrolled, like then lineal champion Michael Spinks. But equally important would be those who eventually stood up to Tyson, guys like James “Buster” Douglas and Evander Holyfield. Hell, get them in a room together with “Iron Mike” and just see what happens.
Gatti and Ward
Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward weren’t the greatest boxers in the world, even in their heyday. To paraphrase John Lennon, they weren’t even the best boxers in their weight division. But when you put them together, something very special happened. These working class heroes went to war three times between 2002 and 2003, causing each other immense pain for our enjoyment — but they became fast friends outside the ring. Unfortunately the story doesn’t end there — that’d be too happy an ending for the cruellest sport. While Ward was played by Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter (any man’s dream) and enjoys his retirement, Gatti died in 2009 while on honeymoon in Brazil. His family and wife have feuded bitterly over the cause. The good news is that unlike the other ideas on this list, Gatti and Ward seems to be on the cards, with HBO moving to produce a special edition of their Legendary Nights documentary series for the 10th anniversary of the pair’s third fight. Nobody deserves it more.
