While for the common man, boxing is a violent bloodsport that involves throwing punches and jabs, for sports enthusiasts boxing is more than just a sport. It is more like an art form. Several sources say that its earliest form originated in the present-day country of Ethiopia. After Egypt conquered this region, they learned of its existence and took it to their nation.
The sport even existed in ancient Greece. It was even an Olympic sport in 688 BC. The evolution of boxing took place in the 16th to 18th century. However, its final form took place in the mid-19th century. In 1867, the Marquess of Queensberry Rules was introduced.
Some of the greatest boxers over the years are ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson’, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, ‘Big’ George Foreman, Rocky Marciano, and Archie Moore. Over the years, several documentaries have been made on them and here is a list of the best boxing documentaries.
CounterPunch
Released on June 6, 2017, by Netflix, the documentary CounterPunch narrates the story of three different boxers. All three of them were at different stages of their lives, but their goal was only one: Glory.
According to its trailer on YouTube, its synopsis reads,
“Discipline, sweat, heartbreak and triumph are all on full display in director Jay Bulger’s look into the world of boxing. Despite the odds, these young boxers are determined to make a name for themselves alongside the sport’s most remembered and revered champions. With an unflinching look at the pain and pride needed to achieve greatness, CounterPunch will surely knock you out.”
Directed by Jay Bulger, CounterPunch starred Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Sugar Ray Leonard, Paulie Malignaggi, and several others.
Champions Forever
Released in 1989, Champions Forever sheds light on the careers of boxing legends like Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Ken Norton, and Joe Frazier. The documentary consists of in-depth interviews, fight clips, and even issues these legends faced like race, politics, and religion.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the synopsis of Champions Forever reads,
“This documentary delves into the lives and careers of boxing greats Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Ken Norton and Joe Frazier. Through interviews with the boxers as well as clips from their fights and archival footage, the film explores their lives, ideals and struggles. Competitive relationships between the boxers come to light, and the effect that issues such as race, religion and politics have on the boxers and their careers is carefully examined.”
It was directed by Dimitri Logothetis and produced by Nabeel Zahid and Joseph Medawar.
When We Were Kings
When We Were Kings was released in 1996. This documentary was about the legendary battle between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, which took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1974. The fight ended with Ali knocking out Foreman in the eighth round.
According to IMDb, the synopsis of When We Were Kings reads,
“Boxing documentary on the 1974 world heavyweight championship bout between defending champion, George Foreman, and the underdog challenger, Muhammad Ali.”
It was directed by Leon Gast, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature of 1996.
