10 Must-Watch Boxing Biopics

Description: A biographical drama about the life of middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta, focusing on his tumultuous personal life and his career in the ring. The film is renowned for its black-and-white cinematography and intense boxing scenes.

Fact: Robert De Niro gained 60 pounds to portray LaMotta in his later years, showcasing his dedication to the role. The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for De Niro.

Description: While not a traditional biopic, this film satirizes the boxing world through the story of a fictional heavyweight champion, focusing on racial dynamics and the business side of boxing.

Fact: The film features real-life boxing personalities like Don King and George Foreman in cameo roles. It's a comedic take on the sport's often controversial aspects.

Description: A powerful story about Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a middleweight boxer who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent nearly two decades in prison before being exonerated.

Fact: Denzel Washington's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film's title refers to Carter's nickname due to his powerful punches.

Description: This biopic chronicles the life of Muhammad Ali, from his rise as Cassius Clay to his transformation into a global icon, focusing on his boxing career, his conversion to Islam, and his political activism.

Fact: Will Smith trained with real boxers and studied tapes of Ali to capture his mannerisms and boxing style. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Description: This film tells the story of James J. Braddock, a boxer who made a remarkable comeback during the Great Depression, earning the nickname "Cinderella Man." It's a tale of resilience and family values against all odds.

Fact: Russell Crowe, who plays Braddock, underwent extensive physical training to authentically portray a boxer. The film was also nominated for three Academy Awards.

Description: Based on the life of Micky Ward, a junior welterweight boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts, and his half-brother Dicky Eklund, who was once a promising boxer himself. The film explores their complex relationship and Micky's rise to fame.

Fact: Christian Bale won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Dicky Eklund. The real-life Ward and Eklund made cameos in the film.

Description: The film follows the comeback of Vinny Pazienza, a boxer who suffered a near-fatal car accident and was told he might never walk again, let alone box. His determination to return to the ring is both inspiring and intense.

Fact: Miles Teller, who plays Pazienza, did most of his own stunts, including the boxing scenes. The film received positive reviews for its authenticity.

Description: This movie covers the life of Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán, known for his aggressive fighting style and his famous quote, "No más," during a fight with Sugar Ray Leonard.

Fact: Edgar Ramírez, who plays Durán, trained with the real Roberto Durán to prepare for the role. The film also features Robert De Niro as Ray Arcel, Durán's trainer.

Description: This film captures the life of Joe Louis, the first African American to achieve the status of a nationwide hero in the United States, focusing on his boxing career and his impact on race relations.

Fact: Coley Wallace, who played Louis, was not a professional actor but a real-life boxer, adding authenticity to the fight scenes.

Description: Another film about Muhammad Ali, this one focuses more on his early life, his rise to fame, and his personal struggles, including his refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War.

Fact: Ali himself stars in the film, providing a unique insight into his own life. The movie was made with Ali's cooperation, giving it a personal touch.