By James Blears

Quitters never win, and winners never quit!

The epic film entitled "Risen," about a man who incredibly won a boxing world title, in spite of missing the tips of three fingers on his right hand, will soon be playing to United States audiences.

Howard Winstone from Methyr Tydfil, Wales epitomized the gritty, ingrained courage and deep conviction of fighters the world over. As a promising teenage boxer with a booming right, that very hand was trapped and his fingers agonizingly crushed in a toy factory accident. Three fingertips had to be amputated, so forever after he couldn’t make a proper fist with it.

The film focuses on how Howard had to overcome this terrible setback, completely adapt his boxing style and dig deeper than the most ardent Welsh miner, to try to compensate for a permanently weakened right hand, in reaching the zenith of the pro ranks.

Three times he took on the formidable Mexican Southpaw Vicente Saldivar, and three times he was defeated. Once by just half a point, and the last time his corner threw in the towel, after he’d been knocked down twice. The crucial difference is that Howard Winstone  didn’t know how to stay down, and he himself simply wouldn’t give in.

Hampered by a shattered hand and a broken marriage- down, but never out, he persevered to win the title Saldivar vacated, by defeating Japan’s Mitsunori Seki, with his nemesis Vicente in the audience willing him on to his ninth round TKO win. 

Risen Directed by Neil Jones, is a story of extraordinary courage which embraces but also transcends the hardest sport of them all.

Stuart Brennan who stars as Howard prepared for five years for this role. In doing so he was helped by pro boxing trainer Don James, who was Howard’s best friend.

The great Vicente Saldivar was played by the equally great Erik Morales, so the fight scenes are packed with raw bone jarring power.

BAFTA Winner Helen Griffin is particularly memorable as Howard’s tough but also tender mother who’s the fulcrum of his driving force towards that elusive WBC title. Screen Actors Guild Award Winner John Noble is also memorable as Howard’s canny and motivational trainer Eddie Thomas- who himself was once the Welterweight Champion of Europe.

The film wonderfully captures the harsh, bleak yet hauntingly beautiful fifties and sixties in the Welsh Valleys and the tough fabric of the Celtic people who made up its close knit communities.

There’s also a liniment of authenticity which pungently rubs into you via the bevy of characters played by honest to God boxers including: John H Stracey, Alan Minter, Tim Witherspoon, Enzo Maccarinelli, Glenn Catley, Richie Woodhall, Robin Reid, Junior Witter and Steve Robinson.

Dab hands who love tear jerkers will love this film, as will purest boxing fans. But anyone who admires sheer bravery, tremendous guts and a never say die spirit, will surely marvel at this truly exceptional man who just wouldn’t give up, until he became the Red Dragon Champion for the land of his fathers’.