Boxing Movies while the Sport is Slow

[a.rihn]

Like a lot of people, I spent a portion of my COVID lockdown watching movies, and as a boxing fan, I sought out a bunch of older boxing movies. Did this enough I decided to start writing about them.

I started a series of reviews I'm calling "Not Quite Classics." Here's the tag paragraph explaining it:

Boxing and movies have gone hand-in-hand ever since audiences saw Bob Fitzsimmons KO Gentleman Jim Corbett with a blow to the solar plexus in 1897. High in drama and low in cost, boxing has been a staple subject for the movie industry, from Body and Soul to Requiem for a Heavyweight, from Rocky to Raging Bull. The movies I review, however, won’t be appearing on any Top 10 lists. Or any Top 50, for that matter. But what these B-movies lack in name recognition, they more than make up for with their blunt charisma, their quirks, and their unexpected cameos. These are the sometimes-forgotten pictures that shaped the genre we know today. Join me in rooting for these cinematic underdogs as we explore some of boxing’s Not Quite Classics.

First movie reviewed: IRON MAN, from 1931. Second movie: THEY NEVER COME BACK from 1932. Next on the docket: THE PRIZEFIGHTER AND THE LADY from 1933. They're all available for free online.

I have a my list for Not Quite Classics, which I'm pretty excited for. But I want to hear from you all: what boxing movies have you enjoyed this year? What are some forgotten classics? Or some stinkers you saw regardless?

[a.rihn]

Two more recent movies I enjoyed: FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY from 2019.



And also THE PRETENDER, also from 2019.



I got both of these streamed free from Hoopla, a free service that uses public library cards.

[a.rihn]

Here's another recent one I've enjoyed, an indie movie that didn't get too much attention. It's got Mark Boone Junior, who is terrific, and it borrows some from the sad story of Billy Collins jr.

12 ROUND GUN

[juggernaut666]

https://********/6OyBGDFCDJI

[a.rihn]

Nice! I haven't seen that one - TOUGH ENOUGH from 1983 - but after the first 20 seconds, I'm uhh . . . intrigued.

[Vodkaholic]

Hands of stone is really good.
The Fighter is also good.

Never seen raging bull. I guess the black and white turns me off

[bullly]

Rocky IV brought me to boxing. But today I can't watch all these boxing movies because of unreal boxing scene.
Although "Diggstown" (1992) was funny to watch.

[adotd]

Has anyone seen Southpaw? Is it any good?

[UNBANNED]

Raging Bull is the best boxing movie imho

[Cadet Bonespurs]

Bleed for this
the Great White Hype (Trash, but had its moments)
Fat City
The Harder They Fall