Bleed for This 2016

As the clock struck midnight on November 12, 1988, Vinny Pazienza (played by) stepped onto the scales, his slender frame barely meeting the weight requirement of 140 pounds even for the WBC World Light Welterweight Title bout against Roger Mayweather. The hours leading up to the weigh-in had been spent in a flurry of frantic cycling on a stationary bike, a last-ditch effort to shed those pesky extra ounces.

The aftermath of the fight was a stark contrast to Vinny’s pre-fight antics. Instead of seeking rest, he opted for a marathon session at the casino, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic recklessness. The consequences were inevitable: Vinny suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Mayweather.

Tensions ran high as Vinny faced off against Lou Duva at the post-match press conference. Duva’s candid assessment that Vinny wasn’t taking the championship seriously enough sparked fury in Angelo, Vinny’s father and coach. A heated argument ensued, culminating with Vinny firing Duva on the spot. In his place, he appointed Kevin Rooney as his new coach, much to Angelo’s dismay.

A glimmer of redemption came when Vinny was granted a second title shot against Gilbert Dele. With Kevin’s backing, Vinny emerged victorious via technical knockout, claiming the WBA World Light Middleweight championship. The euphoria was short-lived, however, as Angelo delivered the somber news that Vinny would next face Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Durán.

As Vinny and his friend Jimmy (played by) set off to grab a coffee, their carefree drive took a devastating turn when they were struck head-on by another vehicle. Jimmy escaped with minor injuries, but Vinny suffered a catastrophic neck injury that left him fighting for his life. The diagnosis was shattering: Vinny might never walk again, let alone step into the ring.

In the hospital, doctors presented Vinny with a grim choice: undergo a spinal fusion procedure to guarantee walking ability, but at the cost of limited mobility in his neck and an end to his boxing career.

As Vinny (Vincent LaManna) defies medical wisdom and undergoes the arduous process of being fitted with a Halo, a complex device comprised of a circular metal brace secured to his skull in four precise locations and stabilized by four sturdy rods, he harbors a glimmer of hope that this innovative treatment will restore movement to his neck, enabling him to reclaim his status as a formidable boxer. Despite Vinny’s unwavering optimism, his corner man Rooney (Rooney) remains skeptical, refusing to provide any further training or guidance, effectively casting Vinny adrift in his rehabilitation journey.

Undeterred by the doubters and driven by an unyielding passion for the sport, Vinny takes matters into his own hands, initiating a clandestine workout regimen in his basement. Eventually, his resolve catches the attention of Kevin (Kevin), who comes to realize the significance of boxing in Vinny’s life and agrees to offer his support. However, their clandestine activities are ultimately discovered by Angelo (Angelo), who summarily expels Kevin from the premises.

Fast-forward six months, and Vinny is poised to have the Halo device removed, a procedure that will require him to confront the discomfort of having the screws extracted without the aid of sedatives. The stakes are higher than ever as Vinny prepares for his comeback match against Durán (Durán), scheduled to take place in Las Vegas in 1990.

As the bell rings, Vinny faces off against a formidable foe, struggling to keep pace with Durán’s superior conditioning and skill throughout the first six rounds. Yet, as the fight wears on, Vinny’s determination and tenacity ultimately pay dividends, as he lands a crucial punch late in the contest. In a thrilling conclusion, Vinny emerges victorious via 12-round majority decision, his scorecard tallying 114-114, 115-113, and 115-113.

In the film’s poignant closing scene, Vinny is interviewed by a journalist, who poses the question: what is the biggest lie you were ever told as a boxer? After a moment of contemplation, Vinny responds with unwavering conviction, declaring that the greatest deception is the notion that “it’s not that simple.”