Honorable Mention
There have been many outstanding movies about boxing over the years. Trying to compile a list of only five movies proved more difficult than I expected. The first four movies on my list were easy to select, but ranking one over the other was no easy task. After getting the first four settled, choosing the number five boxing movie of all-time was a challenge. Here are the movies that just missed out: The Hurricane, Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Hammer, Diggstown, and Ali.
#5-When We Were Kings (1996)
When We Were Kings is a documentary of possibly the most famous bout in boxing history. The Rumble in the Jungle in 1974 between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman was promoted by Don King. King offers both boxers $5 million to fight, only he doesn't have the money. King gets the President of Zaire to pony up the cash and the Rumble in the Jungle is born. Ali is 32 and supposedly past his prime while Foreman is the young heavyweight champ. The fight between Ali and Foreman and this documentary are both epic. When We Were Kings won the Oscar for best documentary in 1997.
#4-Cinderella Man (2005)
Cinderella Man is based on the true story of boxer James Braddock. Braddock (Russell Crowe) is a former prize fighter that is down and out like many people during the Great Depression. Braddock returns to the ring in a last ditch effort to save make some money and keep his family afloat. With great grit and determination Braddock fights his way back to the top. This is an amazing story and the cast of Crowe, Renee Zelwegger, and Paul Giamatti are fantastic. Cinderella Man is an outstanding movie and is a must watch.
