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This week marked the release of the trailer for “Creed,” the seventh installment of the Rocky series. With other films like “Southpaw” and the biopics for Roberto Duran and Vinnie Paz also in the pipeline, it seems like fans are going to soon be witnessing a renaissance in the boxing movie genre. As excited as the trailer got us over here at Standing Ten, it also got us wondering — who are the best boxers every portrayed on the silver screen? Well, here’s the answer.

First some ground rules; first, the fighters must be fictional. Boxing documentaries don’t count, nor do movies about real-life fighters (we’re looking at you Michael Mann). Second, television movies count, television series do not — this removes things like “Resurrection Blvd.” and “Lights Out” from contention. Lastly, the rankings are determined by a highly scientific formula the combines in-the-ring skill, charisma, and memorability. These rankings are final and foolproof, so sorry if your favorite fighter didn’t make the cut.

Without further ado, here are the not-at-all-subjective power rankings for movie boxers:

15. Maurice ‘Snoopy’ Miller (“Out of Sight” – 1998)

Snoopy is higher on the charisma scale than a lot of fighters on this list, but with his well known willingness to take a dive for the right price, he might get the lowest in-the-ring score. Snoopy seemingly has some natural talent, but he’s definitely bent not to mention probably also a sociopath. Once he gets out of prison and makes his way to Detroit, he continues to surround himself with fighters (such as Isaiah Washington’s Kenneth), but much to his chagrin, he’s unable to shake his dirty reputation as a corrupt fighter. Couple those questionable morals with a skill-set that has likely been dulled by his time in prison, and it’s hard to see Snoop prevailing over most of the fighters on this list.

14. Butch Coolidge (“Pulp Fiction” – 1994)

The second consecutive crooked fighter on our list. But unlike Snoopy, Butch got himself into trouble not by taking dives, but by suddenly refusing to do so — at what could have possibly been the very worst time. One might think that such a decision, not to mention his ability to wield a samurai sword, would leave him higher on this list. One would be wrong. Why, you ask? For one, this is boxing, not a damn sword fight. Secondly, this committee finds it far more likely that Butch’s big victory came more as a result of a journeyman catching a superior fighter off-guard because he thought the fight was in the bag than it was a result of actual in the ring talent. Zed may very well be dead, but so is Butch’s career in the ring as far as we’re concerned.

13. Ernie Munger (“Fat City” – 1972)

What Jeff Bridges’ Ernie lacks in raw talent and jump-off-the-screen charisma, he makes up for with determination and pure, unbridled youth. In fact, it is precisely that youth that lands him on this list instead of his counterpart, journeyman fighter Billy Tully (as portrayed by Stacy Keech). Fight fans and casual moviegoers may have collectively forgotten John Huston’s “Fat City,” but it’s definite shame; as both Munger and Keech have more grit and down-to-their-core sorrow than a Greek tragedy. Neither fighter is going to set the world on fire, but once you witness their tale, neither will be one that you’ll soon be able to forget.

12. Lex Vargas (“Undefeated” – 2003)

Lex Vargas is an undefeated champion near his physical prime. He supposedly has the complete package of speed, power, and a devoted fan base. The last part seems a bit odd since he also happens to have a personality about as dynamic as a block of wood. No doubt that Leguizamo gives it his best, and from all accounts really tried to dig in and do his research before taking on the role, but none of that can quite elevate Vargas to watchable. Vargas gets up this high for that undefeated record, colorful entourage, and the realism that Leguizamo tried to bring to the film (which he also directed) — but the dullness of Vargas means he can go no higher than this.

11. Tommy ‘Machine’ Gunn (“Rocky V” – 1990)

Sure, it may not seem super likely that a fighter whose most notable scrap came by way of a loss in a Philadelphia street alley to an aging, retired slugger with brain damage – but what can we say? America loves heavyweights! Tommy Gunn (played by the late real life heavyweight title holder Tommy Morrison) has the unfortunate privilege of residing in the undeniably worst of all the films. He also has the handicap of being the only opponent not to take on Rocky in, you know, an actual boxing ring. But he’s big, can punch, and most importantly – he has a dope mullet. That’s good enough for number eleven on this list. Plus, at least he came off better than Mason “The Line” Dixon!

10. Diana Guzman (“Girlfight” – 2000)

Like many great fighters, Guzman’s journey to boxing glory begins on the streets of Brooklyn – something that earns her some points in the eyes of our committee. Also, her trainer is a guy named “Tiny,” what’s not to love? On top of that, her using the sweet science as a way to escape the the tough realities of her day to day life gets right to the heart of the origins of many great fighters. Yeah, so she’s only an amateur fighter (and a fictional one at that), but she’s also a revolutionary. A female boxer onscreen at a time when women’s boxing was still just really starting to gain some footing in mainstream sports consciousness. Who are the five greatest female boxers of all time? It goes Ann Wolfe, Laila Ali, and then Diana Guzman three times. Not only that, but there is no doubt that Michelle Rodriguez could kick the crap out of all us.

9. *TIE* Vince Boudreau & Cesar Dominguez (“Play It To The Bone” – 1999)

Two journeymen fighters who, in the film’s climax, are unable to separate themselves from one another in the ring. As such, it’s only fitting that we’re unable to separate them from one another on this list. Boudreau is a born again lunch pail type fighter with a tendency for great bodywork, Domingez is a slicker stick and move stylist who blew is one big shot in MSG. And call us suckers if you want, but the Gatti-Ward type result that the two produce in the ring tugs at our heartstrings. Two underrated boxers in an underrated boxing movie, even if it does feature about as much actual boxing as it does Woody Harrelson performing (and talking about performing) oral acts of pleasure on women. Ron Shelton, you classy bastard.

8. Clubber Lang (“Rocky III” – 1982)

A ranking which some will almost surely think is too low. There is no doubt that despite his primitive training methods, Clubber was a heavyweight destroyer who sold out on his power and ran through many an opponent. Also, as portrayed by Mr. T, Clubber has become a memorable fighter in the canon of sports film, and his all-business attitude both in and out of the ring is exactly the type of stuff that endears a pugilist to boxing fans worldwide. However, (and this is a big however) he also got his biggest win by stopping a bored and complacent champion, missed the most naturally talented fighter of the era in Apollo Creed, and WORST OF ALL, was knocked out by a career straightforward brawler who spent ONE TRAINING CAMP learning to a be a slick boxer! You want to try and tell me that Clubber should be higher up on this list? Get ‘outta here.

7. James ‘The Grim Reaper’ Roper (“The Great White Hype” – 1996)

Unlike Clubber, here’s a fighter who took care of business in the highest profile fight of his career. ‘The Grim Reaper’ stayed knocking out all who stood across from him for so long that they had to dig up a rock and roller from his teenage years to face him. He came in fat, undertrained, and unmotivated – but he also knocked ‘Irish’ Terry Conklin (he’s not Irish, it just means white) the hell out. Not only that, but he got a Method Man cosign. Method Man, guys! All of that being said, his poor training habits for the Conklin fight is a definite concern and warning sign, as is the fact that he took one on the chin in the post fight interview. As good as James Roper was, signs pointed to a change in the guard happening sooner than later. Still though, good enough for seventh on this list.

6. Maggie Fitzgerald – (“Million Dollar Baby” – 2004)

Misogynists cover your eyes, because Maggie Fitzgerald spent her time on top of the sport straight knocking fools out! That is, at least, until she was done dirty by the Blue Bear and her dirty after the round tactics. Emotional euthanisations aside, Maggie was the type of fighter who would not only win over aging, scraggly, emotionally shut-off boxing trainers, but fight fans as well! The door that earlier power rankings list member Diana Guzman cracked open, Maggie flat out kicked down. Granted, (sentimentality aside) “Mo Chuisle” is a top three all-time TERRIBLE nickname – but Maggie brought it in the ring and had her career end with a heart string tugging tragedy. She gets penalized for a short reign in the sport (yes, we’re heartless), but overall, you can’t ask for much more than that.

5. Ivan Drago (“Rocky IV” – 1985)

Sure he was the villain. Sure he got stopped by Balboa. Sure he spent most of his career overseas. That’s all true. But let’s not forget, he literally killed an all-time great heavyweight in the ring. That’s quite the bullet on the old resume. You may think it’s unfair to place him ahead of Clubber when Drago we never actually able to beat Rocky, but here’s our response to that; 1) It’s our list and we can do whatever we want. 2) Clubber beat an unmotivated Rocky, Drago gave Rocky all he could handle and more after KILLING HIS BEST FRIEND. That’s bulletin board material if ever there has been such a thing. Drago was a destroyer. Bigger, faster, and stronger than the opposition. Sure he might have been plunging some of that special something into his veins that makes a fighter just a little more durable, but fans still root for Juan Manuel Marquez, don’t they? If you put just about anybody in the ring across from Drago, they’re probably going to get knocked out.

4. Rocky ‘The Italian Stallion’ Balboa (“Rocky” Series – 1976 to Present)

This is surely going to be the most controversial placement on this list, so before we heap praise on Rocky, let’s talk about why he’s not making it into the top three. For one he was essentially a club fighter for the entirety of his early career. Secondly, when his first big shot came, it was against an aging and unmotivated champion who was overlooking him – and even still he was unable to leave with a victory. After he was able to claim the title, he found himself knocked out by a young contender. And lastly, he has a tendency to drag himself out of retirement for carnival fights, inevitably tarnishing his legacy (Oscar, take notes here, buddy). That was the bad, now for the good. Balboa united the entire city of Philadelphia behind him, effectively revitalizing a historic fight town. While he didn’t always prevail in his first try, Rocky rose to the occasion in rematches to get big victories over both Creed and Clubber. Perhaps most importantly, when he got his career-best win over Ivan Drago, he effectively ENDED THE COLD WAR! Case rested. Now excuse us while we go punch some frozen raw meat.

3. ‘Honey’ Roy Palmer (“Diggstown” – 1992)

A road fighter who somehow is greater than the sum of all his parts. Sure Roy may never have achieved the public heights of some of the other fighters on this list, but he always came up big when you needed him to. As impressive as it is that he prevailed in a string of high-stakes gamblers fights stacked up one after another (a la vintage George Foreman) – it’s even more impressive that he was continually able to succeed in an environment where it was there was a very real possibility of catching a bullet to the skull if things didn’t go as planned. That, my friends, is being cool under pressure. Not only that, but Palmer was able to do it at a very advanced age, he was the original Alien! To top it all off, Palmer was a real charming sonofabitch. The kind of fighter that you want to shake hands with after he knocks you out. The profile may not have been as high as an exhibition bout in Russia, but we’ll take a prime (or in this case, not so prime) Palmer over just about any other fighter out there any day of the week.

2. Jack Jefferson (“The Great White Hope” – 1970)

Sure Jefferson is loosely based on Jack Johnson, which would seem to contradict the rules stated at the outset – but once again, our list means our call! What’s most frightening about this fighter and this film is not his talent, but rather the fact that the more things change the more they stay the same. Many of the issues of race, particularly in the sport of boxing, remain eerily relevant even today. Couple that with the talent of the fictional fighter, the performance by an absolutely in-his-prime James Earl Jones, and the nostalgia for a real life Jack Johnson lurking somewhere just out of mind’s eye, and you have a real fearsome combination. Hell, Jack Jefferson was somebody that was inspirational to Muhammad Ali! If he’s good enough for The Greatest, than he’s good enough to at least land in the number two spot on this list.

1. Apollo Creed (“Rocky I – IV” – 1976 to 1985)

Could there ever really have been anybody else atop this list? A lethal combination of charisma, talent, confidence, and success – Apollo is the greatest fighter to ever set foot in the ring… on the silver screen. He ruled the heavyweight division for years, he served as a trainer for his successor, and he went out on his shield doing the very thing he loved until it literally killed him. Also, you want nicknames or celebrity cosigns? Boy, did he ever have those too. Creed was the complete package inside the ring. He could move around with the grace of an angle, sting you with a sharp piston-like jab, throttle his opponents with a powerful right hand, and had the energy and sense of showmanship to do it for a full fifteen rounds (not those twelve rounders like these wimps today are used to). It’s just a shame that age and time robbed the world of seeing a prime version of Apollo go to work on Gunn, Balboa, Drago, and Clubber. You can bet those would have been absolute wars. Alas, some stars burn too brightly for their own good – such was the case for Apollo. Perhaps his son will be the man to carry on that rich legacy.

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