Assault in the Ring

FTA69

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgg13ZwzNwA

The above is a link to the full version of Assault in the Ring. It looks at the controversial 1983 bout between Billy Collins Jr and Luis Resto whereupon Resto's gloves were illegally tampered with resulting in Collins taking a horrific beating. Collins was almost blinded and subsequently had to quit the sport, spiralling into drink and depression resulting in his death a year later. Resto and his trainer, Panama Lewis, were banned from the sport and were subsequently jailed.

The documentary follows Resto, now a broken man living in dire poverty, as he tries to confront Lewis and make amends for what he did as well as rebuild a relationship with his estranged family.

It's heart-breaking stuff.

Johner

Watched that a few years ago, very sad.

That fight ultimately cost Billy Collins Jr his life.

walshb

Very moving and powerful film. From recollection I had little sympathy for Resto. His remorse didn't come across as genuine.

FTA69

I don't know walshb, he seemed pretty cut up about the whole affair to be honest and ultimately realised it had destroyed his life, ruined his family and also ruined the lives of the Collins'. It was Lewis who came across as an evil bastard here like, the man is an utter sociopath.

walshb

FTA69 wrote: »

I don't know walshb, he seemed pretty cut up about the whole affair to be honest and ultimately realised it had destroyed his life, ruined his family and also ruined the lives of the Collins'. It was Lewis who came across as an evil bastard here like, the man is an utter sociopath.

But wasn't money a factor in Resto's "change of heart?"

FTA69

What do you mean? The man hadn't a bob in the world sure.

walshb

FTA69 wrote: »

What do you mean? The man hadn't a bob in the world sure.

Maybe that was Panama. To do the story and the interviews I thought Resto was motivated by getting cash more than about making amends. Maybe I need to re-watch this.

If it's the HBO documentary from a few years ago then I do remember me thinking that both Resto and Panama were just doing it for a quick buck.

FTA69

Panama was the one being paid to do the interview and denied any wrongdoing to the hilt. A right bastard.