Expected to be released later this year is “The Fighter.” It’s a boxing film capturing the life and struggles of Irishman, Micky Ward.

Micky Ward will be played by Mark Wahlberg and his half-brother, Dickie Eklund, will be played by Christian Bale.  Amy Adams has also been confirmed as the love interest in the film for Ward.

Ward, 44, grew up Lowell, Massachusetts, where there was a serious drug problem.  He began his boxing career undefeated before succumbing to some demons.  Ward then reemerged on the boxing scene and had some amazing boxing fights with Arturo Gatti.  They had three fights together and each were awarded the fight of the year.  I was fortunate enough to witness one of the fights and you could see the passion, drive and determination in Ward. Ward finished his career with a record of 38-13.

It’s hard to make a great boxing movie, of course there is “Rocky” and “Raging Bull.” But there isn’t much left after that. Something tells me that “The Fighter” might be the best boxing movie we’ve seen in a very long time. What made films like “Raging Bull” and “Rocky” great was that they were based on true events, just like ‘The Fighter.”

Photo credit: Glenn Francis