Boxing is a sport that has produced some of the most famous names in the world of entertainment. From the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr, and Manny Pacquiao, boxing has always been a source of inspiration for many Hollywood filmmakers. However, it is not just about fighting in the ring. We have compiled a list of 10 boxers who have made their mark in Hollywood, outside of the boxing ring.- Sort of!
1. Joe Louis
Joe Louis was one of the greatest boxers of all time. He held the heavyweight title from 1937-1949 and was the first African American to hold the title. However, he also made his mark in Hollywood. He appeared in the 1942 film "Requiem for a Heavyweight" and played himself in the 1953 film "The Joe Louis Story."
In "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Louis played a character called "Leroy" who was a sparring partner for the main character, a boxer named Mountain McClintock (played by Anthony Quinn). The film tells the story of McClintock, who is forced to retire from boxing due to an injury, and his struggle to find a new career.
In "The Joe Louis Story," Louis played himself and the film was a biopic of his life. The film covers Louis' childhood, his rise to fame, and his fights with Max Schmeling. The film was a success and helped to cement Louis' place in Hollywood.
2. Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano is another boxing legend who made his mark in Hollywood. He held the heavyweight title from 1952-1956 and is the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. In 1959, he appeared in the film "The Square Jungle" alongside Tony Curtis.
In the film, Marciano played a character called "Omaha" who was a boxer. The film tells the story of a washed-up boxer named Eddie Quaid (played by Curtis) who is given a chance to fight for the heavyweight championship. Marciano's character helps train Quaid for the fight.
3. Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey was one of the most famous boxers of the 1920s. He held the heavyweight title from 1919-1926 and was known for his aggressive style of fighting. In 1927, he appeared in the silent film "The Patent Leather Kid" alongside Richard Barthelmess.
In the film, Dempsey played a character called "Jack Dempsey" who was a boxer. The film tells the story of a young man named Tom (played by Barthelmess) who is a boxer. Tom is forced to retire from boxing due to an injury, but he trains a young up-and-coming boxer named Davey (played by James Hall).
4. Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He held the welterweight and middleweight titles and had a record of 173-19-6 with 108 knockouts. In 1956, he appeared in the film "The Square Jungle" alongside Rocky Marciano.
In the film, Robinson played a character called "Candy." He was a friend of Rocky Marciano's character and helped train Tony Curtis' character for a fight. Robinson's appearance in the film helped to raise his profile even further.
5. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is one of the most iconic boxers of all time. He held the heavyweight title three times and had a record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts. He also made his mark in Hollywood. He appeared in several films including "The Greatest" (1977), "Freedom Road" (1979), and "The Color Purple" (1985).
In "The Greatest," Ali played himself in a biopic of his life. The film covers his early years, his rise to fame, and his fights with Sonny Liston and Joe Frazier. The film was a success and helped to cement Ali's place in Hollywood.
In "Freedom Road," Ali played a character called "Gideon Jackson" who was a former slave turned politician. The film tells the story of Reconstruction after the Civil War and the struggle for civil rights.
In "The Color Purple," Ali played a character called "Mr." who is abusive towards his wife, played by Oprah Winfrey. The film is based on the novel by Alice Walker and was directed by Steven Spielberg.
6. George Foreman
George Foreman is another heavyweight champion who made his mark in Hollywood. He held the heavyweight title twice and had a record of 76-5 with 68 knockouts. In 1977, he appeared in the film "The One and Only" alongside Henry Winkler.
In the film, Foreman played a character called "George." The film tells the story of a young man named Andy Schmidt (played by Winkler) who dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. George Foreman's character helps train Andy for his big match.
7. Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson is one of the most controversial boxers of all time. He held the heavyweight title and had a record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts. He also made his mark in Hollywood. He appeared in several films including "The Hangover" (2009) and "Ip Man 3" (2015).
In "The Hangover," Tyson played himself and the film tells the story of a group of friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. Tyson's character is involved in one of the film's most memorable scenes.
In "Ip Man 3," Tyson played a character called "Frank" who is a street fighter. The film is based on the life of the martial arts master Ip Man and his relationship with his student, Bruce Lee.
8. Lennox Lewis
Lennox Lewis is a former heavyweight champion who made his mark in Hollywood. He held the heavyweight title and had a record of 41-2-1 with 32 knockouts. In 2007, he appeared in the film "Johnny Was" alongside Vinnie Jones.
In the film, Lewis played a character called "Razor." The film tells the story of a former IRA member named Johnny Doyle (played by Patrick Bergin) who is released from prison and returns to his home in Belfast. Lewis' character is a gang leader who is involved in the film's climactic shootout.
9. Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier is another boxing legend who made his mark in Hollywood. He held the heavyweight title and had a record of 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts. In 1974, he appeared in the film "The Super Fight" alongside Muhammad Ali.
In the film, Frazier played himself and the film is a fictionalized version of a fight between Ali and Frazier. The two boxers engage in a verbal battle before the fight, and the film ends with the two boxers coming to blows.
10. Oscar De La Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya is a former Olympic gold medalist and multiple weight class champion who made his mark in Hollywood. He had a record of 39-6 with 30 knockouts. In 2006, he appeared in the film "The Jim Rose Circus Sideshow" alongside Jim Rose.
In the film, De La Hoya played a character called "The Golden Boy" who is a member of Jim Rose's circus. The film is a documentary-style look at the circus and the various performers who are part of it.
These ten boxers have made their mark in Hollywood in various ways. Whether it was playing themselves in biopics or taking on fictional roles, these boxers have proven that they have more to offer than just their skills in the ring. They have shown that they are also talented actors who can hold their own on the big screen.
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