BOXING DOCUMENTARIES

Murder in Soho: Who Killed Freddie Mills? isn’t the only must-see boxing documentary

1. WHEN WE WERE KINGS

This Leon Gast classic chronicles the tumultuous build-up to the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Perfect talking heads and wonderful soundtrack, it’s about as good as it gets.

2. ASSAULT IN THE RING

A look at the loaded gloves scandal that blackened Luis Resto’s 1983 fight with Billy Collins Jr is made all the more harrowing given the access to Resto and the attempts to gain a confession from trainer Carlos “Panama” Lewis.

3. THRILLA IN MANILA

This one is different to your average Muhammad Ali documentary because Joe Frazier, his opponent, shares top billing and is as key to the narrative as Ali himself. It’s all the better for it, too.

4. THE GOOD SON

The 1982 fight between Ray Mancini and Duk-koo Kim left Kim’s wife without a husband and their son without a father. So, when “Boom Boom” meets them at the end of The Good Son, it’s quite a moment.

5. TYSON

Doing away with talking heads, James Toback’s documentary is told in Tyson’s words only – speaking straight to camera – and is at times painfully honest.

6. FACING ALI

Another Ali doc with a twist, this one deals with the array of characters who boxed “The Greatest” and highlights how being in his presence changed their lives.

7. NO MAS

The 1980 fight between “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran is a fascinating story all on its own, but the meeting of Leonard and Duran at the end of No Mas is what elevates this documentary.

8. UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS

There are few fighters as compelling or important as Jack Johnson and this epic Ken Burns documentary is as good a starting point as any.

9. TAPIA

Nicknamed “Mi Vida Loca”(my Crazy Life) for a reason, Johnny Tapia is a man whose turbulent and often inspirational life story was one seemingly made for the silver screen.

10. COUNTERPUNCH

A new addition to the boxing documentary cannon, this Netflix original focuses on three boxers at different stages of their careers – amateur, pro newcomer, experienced pro – and does a good job of commentating on the state of the sport in America.