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Plot

Cinematic heavyweight Ving Rhames steps into the boxing ring as controversial pugilist Sonny Liston in this sports biopic that begins as Liston realizes his talent for boxing as an inmate at a Missouri State Penitentiary, and follows his career to the moment it was effectively ended due to a devastating blow by powerful opponent Cassius Clay. Born into poverty, Liston was imprisoned as a teen for taking part in a gas station robbery, his skill for boxing uncovered by a Roman Catholic priest and helping the emerging athlete to secure an early release. Recurring bouts with racism, the mob, and the law ensured that Liston was never able to rest easy during his rise to become World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, with the notorious "phantom punch" delivered by Clay offering a painful capper to a turbulent career. Nicholas Turtutto, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, and David Proval co-star.
MPAA Rating:
R for pervasive language, sexual content and some violence involving a sexual assault.
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
104min.
Theatrical Release Date:
03/02/2009
Director(s):
Robert Townsend
Starring:
Ving Rhames , Nicholas Turturro , Bridgette Wilson , David Proval , Stacey Dash
Themes:
Boxers
Language:
English