Boxing is about more than just boxing training, it’s about the culture of boxing, too. Boxing culture is so rich that it’s regularly featured in movies, and is often the main theme of the movie. Directors and cinematographers are great at capturing the drama and the grace found inside and outside of the ring. Boxing reflects the human condition in a raw and immediate way like no other sport.
In the back of my book “The Ultimate Boxer” is a long list of Hollywood movies about boxing. But boxing is so popular, that there are movies made every year.
Working on the movie “Mary Kom” (2014) was a great experience, and that movie would definitely be on my list of all-time favorites not just because of the boxing action, but because of the story.
Among boxing movies of the past five years, I’d say the “Creed” (2015, 2018) franchise would top my list for good reason. “Southpaw” (2015) impressed me, too. I prefer boxing movies with realistic depictions of the sport. One of the most interesting things about boxing movies is seeing the real-life transition of some of the actors!
By the way, Sly Stallone (writer and star of “Rocky,” 1976) has announced his newest movie, currently in production called “Samaritan,” is a thriller about a retired superhero sought after by a young teenager who’s unsure if he’s even still alive. The boy is played by Javon Walton, a boxer out of Braselton, Georgia. Maybe we’ll get to see some scenes where Stallone puts Javon through a workout?!
What’s your favorite boxing movie? Are you able to stream it online? Let us know, cause a lot of us are looking for quality movies these days as we continue to self-quarantine!
