Boxing is among the world’s most watched sports. It is a combat sport that has been practiced since the 18th century. Boxing has given many legendary boxers to the world, like “The Greatest Muhammad Ali, Tyson Fury, Mike Tyson and many more. There are many documentaries made that are dedicated to boxing. Some of them display the fascinating lives of boxers, while others highlight the stories behind huge boxing matches. If you are a fan of boxing and want to know more about the sport, then you should watch these amazing documentaries mentioned below.
Assault in the Ring
This documentary takes an in-depth examination of a 1983 boxing match between undefeated prospect Billy Collins Jr., and Luis Resto. In this match, Resto managed to defeat the highly acclaimed Collins in the 10-round match via unanimous decision. However, the post-fight revelation was shocking for everyone because Resto’s gloves were found to be tempered. They were lacking a significant amount of padding, an illegal alteration that increased the impact of his punches against Collins, resulting in serious damage.
The Kings
This documentary consists of four episodes. Each episode focuses on the lives of a champion who played a key role in ushering in the boxing renaissance during the late 70s and early 80s. The four boxers featured in the documentary are Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonar. They all stepped into the ring against each other and emerged as superstars. The series shows the journeys of these boxers, both inside and outside the ring, and how they dealt with personal battles.
UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS: THE RISE AND FALL OF JACK JOHNSON
This documentary is directed by Ken Burns. It explores the life of Boxer Jack Johnson. The “Galveston Giant” became the first African American heavyweight champion. The documentary shows his rise to fame in America during the early 1990s, when he dominated the sport until his fight with James J. Jeffries in 1910. This match became known as the “Fight of the Century.” Johnson claimed a definitive knockout victory over James and racially motivated violence erupted across America.
THE THRILLA IN MANILLA
This documentary features the intense rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. It shows that epic fight, which lasted for 14 rounds. It also reveals what happened outside the ring when the two fighters were fully concentrated on defeating each other. The documentary won several awards, like the Peabody Award, Emmy Award and the Grierson Trust British Documentary Award.
Klitschko
Klitschko highlights the lives of incredible boxers, Vitali and Vladimir Klitschko, and their close relationship. The brothers were born to a Soviet military officer and raised in various locations in the USSR after the Chernobyl disaster. With the fall of the Soviet Union, the two went beyond their homeland to train and compete in different countries, eventually climbing to the pinnacle of world boxing as champions. The documentary showcases the beautiful bond between the brothers.
When We Were Kings
This is a documentary that highlights the 1974 World Heavyweight Championship fight between then defending champion George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, who was an underdog at the time. When We Were Kings is directed by Leon Gast and it gives audiences insight into the lead-up to the iconic Rumble in the Jungle, featuring interviews and showcasing Ali’s endearing charisma. Gast devoted 22 years to editing and financing this documentary and his hard work paid off. The film won the Academy Award and was loved by the audience.
Lennox Lewis:The Untold Story
This documentary takes a comprehensive look at the versatile career of the legendary boxer Lennox Lewis. It covers his journey from the amateur ranks to the Olympics and onto the professional arena, carefully examining every chapter of Lewis’ career. The documentary features prominent figures like Mike Tyson and Dr. Dre. It captures Lewis’ life and his impact on the sport, giving the viewers a perspective on the ups and downs of his journey and career.
Tyson
This documentary was directed by James Toback. It follows the life of Mike Tyson and reflects on his public image. It reveals his family history and challenging upbringing. The documentary also unfolds the father-son dynamic between “Iron Mike” and his initial professional trainer, Cus D’Amato. It also displays his path to achieving the status of undisputed heavyweight champion. The film was awarded by 138 film critics.
After the Last Round
After The Last Round is a documentary that shows a glimpse into the darker aspects of the sport. It highlights the risks boxers face inside the ring and the personal stories of those whose health became affected because of their involvement in the sport. The documentary candidly discusses the consequences of boxing-related brain damage, featuring disturbing examples of former boxers with the consequences of physical and mental damage.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is the legend of Boxing, and there have been many documentaries made about his life. The most recent is the one released in 2021, which is a four-part series that explores his life and career. It is directed by Ken Burns, along with Sarah Burns and David McMahon. The series takes a look at Muhammad Ali’s life, including his impressive legacy both inside and outside the boxing ring.
Also Read: List Of 10 Best Nicknames In Boxing History
