5. The Hurricane (1999; Written by Armyan Bernstein & Dan Gordon and Directed by Norman Jewison): Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (Denzel Washington) is an up-and-coming African-American boxer and contender for the middleweight title before his journey is derailed by an arrest for a triple murder conviction. Pleading his innocence, Carter remained in jail for almost 20 years before a determined group of people read his autobiography, "The 16th Round," believed in his innocence and was able to free him from prison.
Memorable Quote: "Hate put me in prison. Love's gonna bust me out." - Rubin "Hurricane" Carter
4. Cinderella Man (2005; Written by Cliff Hollingsworth & Akiva Goldsman and directed by Ron Howard): This film follows the true story of James Braddock (Russell Crowe), a successful boxer who breaks his hand and loses everything with the stock market crash during the Great Depression in the early 1930s. In 1934, Braddock's manager, Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), offers him a chance to return to the ring and begin his evolution from a regular laborer to a national hero.
Memorable Quote: "I have to believe that when things are bad I can change them." - Braddock
3. When We Were Kings (1996; Directed by Leon Gast): This Oscar-winning documentary follows the journeys of Heavyweight Champion George Foreman and Muhammad Ali as they move towards their famous 1974 championship match, dubbed "Rumble in the Jungle," as it was set in Zaire. Little-known promoter Don King offered the fighters each $5 million for the fight and received the funds from Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire.
Memorable Quote: "I'm bad! Been chopping trees. I done something new for this fight. I done wrestled with an alligator. That's right. I have wrestled with an alligator. I done tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail. That's bad! Only last week I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick! I'm so mean I make medicine sick!" - Ali
2. Raging Bull (1980; Written by Paul Schrader & Mardik Martin and Directed by Martin Scorsese): This Scorsese masterpiece follows the true story of Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro), a troubled soul but incredible boxer. His climb through the boxing ranks is slowed due to his troubles outside of the ring. The same passion and tenacity he shows between the ropes slowly destroys his life and the lives of those around him as paranoia and jealousy take over his emotions. De Niro gives one of the best and most highly acclaimed performances of his long and distinguished career. The film was based on Jake LaMotta's autobiography, "Raging Bull: My Story."
Memorable Quote: "You never got me down, Ray. Ya hear me? Never got me down." - LaMotta to Sugar Ray Robinson after being beaten badly and losing to Sugar Ray by TKO
1. Rocky (1976; Written by Sylvester Stallone and Directed by John G. Avildsen): Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a small-time Philadelphia boxer who gets the biggest shot of his life when he's set to fight the current world champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in a publicity stunt. Rocky sees this as his only opportunity and takes full advantage in this inspirational film that featured the tagline "His whole life was a million-to-one shot." This film was followed by five other installments but none came near to matching the original. Rocky's triumphant run up the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum and the movie's theme song still live on in popular culture more than 30 years later.
Memorable Quote: "I just want to say 'hi' to my girlfriend, OK? Yo, Adrian! It's me, Rocky." - Rocky to his girlfriend when getting his chance on television
