This film screened on Friday 25th September 2015. 

Irish Premiere

Focussing on Evander Holyfield, Bernard Hopkins and Mike Tyson, fighters who emerged from impoverished backgrounds to become heralded champions, Bert Marcus’ absorbing film presents boxing as a facilitator of the American Dream, while having the courage to confront the sport’s serious failings. Celebrity fight fans and commentators declare their love for boxing while the film highlights how societal problems such as racism, poverty, and the education and prison systems are indelibly connected to it. Thrilling archive footage of those great sportsmen only serves to show how, despite these issues, boxing can be such an irresistible spectacle.

This event is screening as part of IFI Documentary Festival 2015 (September 23 – 27)