Original subtitles

(dramatic orchestral music)

(stone grinding)

(discordant music)

(wind whispering)

(heel tapping)

(crowd cheering in background)

(heel tapping continues)

(ominous music)

(heel tapping)

(ominous music)

(ominous music continues)

- You said you fucking belong here.

They said, you're never gonna make it.

You ain't quick enough.

Your reflexes too slow and you're training hella weak.

They said no one gonna show you respect,

(ominous music)

but you said?

You was gonna change the game.

(door knocking)

- [Man] Showtime folks.

(Toni sighs)

And now you're here.

That's why they are out there,

posted up on the front row, paying 5 G's a ticket.

They waited for more than an hour now

to see you perform,

just you, Payne.

Just you.

Now give them their damn money's worth

and show those fuckers who my real champ is.

(footsteps tapping)

(upbeat rock music)

(siren blaring)

(dog barking in distance)

(horn honking)

(headset clattering)

(feet stomping)

(headset clattering)

(Toni shouts)

(birds cawing)

(Toni sighs and groans)

(Toni sighs)

(footsteps stomping)

(horn honking)

(traffic humming)

(bag rustling)

(zipper unzipping)

(horn honking)

(phone tapping)

(phone notification rings)

(phone notification rings)

Fuck you!

(funky music)

(funky music continues)

Whoo.

(funky music continues)

(funky music continues)

(zipper unzipping)

(funky music continues)

(funky music continues)

(crowd chattering)

(blues music playing)

(blues music continues)

(door clicking)

♪ No, I never, never took a lesson ♪

♪ When it come to the blues ♪

♪ I do my own kind of lesson ♪

♪ Blues done turned me wild ♪

♪ It's got deep inside my soul ♪

(crowd cheering)

♪ The blues done turned me wild ♪

♪ It's gone deep down in my soul ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

(fists thudding)

♪ Playing on a rabbit's hole ♪

(bucket squeaks)

(rope creaking)

(blues music)

(crowd cheering) (blues music)

(fist thudding) (rope creaking)

(record scratching)

- You scare me.

(footsteps tapping)

You scare me.

- That's the point.

- You're not going to beat up a woman.

- Man, woman,

trespassing is trespassing.

- The door was open.

- Busting in my place,

I'm in every right

to bust back.

That yours?

- Yeah.

- Kick it over here, nice and slow.

Slow,

with your foot.

Keep your hands up.

(bag thuds) (Toni sighs)

(bag slides)

(ominous music)

(zipper unzipping)

(plastic rustling)

(zipper zipping)

(bag thuds)

Who sent you?

- No one.

Do I look like the type to have a gun?

- Everybody looks like that,

and nobody looks like that.

(Elliott coughs)

That's the problem.

See, you, you either some crack head

looking to steal my shit

or someone sent you here looking for trouble.

- My own damn ass send me.

- Wanting what?

- I'm here to train.

I want to fight.

I got it all and can't get nothing done.

- So sorry to hear that.

- You could help me.

(bag rustling)

- Help?

Find a fucking shrink.

- That song.

(Elliott wheezes)

What does it say, again?

Love done burn me wild?

- No, no.

Turn me wild.

It's blues.

- Okay, I get it.

It's an honor to meet you.

I'm Toni.

- Get outta my gym, Toni.

- Just give me one chance, okay?

I have potential.

I promise. - Look, it's been, - Give me a chance.

- It's been a long day and I'm closing.

- I mean, I,

I could help you clean.

- No, I don't need nobody messing up my system.

- If there's one thing I'm really good at,

it's cleaning up other people's messes.

(Elliott sighs)

- [Philipp] Good evening from the commentator's booth.

I'm Philipp Dibbons.

We finally made it here after weeks

of non-stop chatter about Harris versus Thribbs,

and perhaps even more talk

about Toni Williams, Harris' promoter.

No one in the boxing biz has messed with her

and come out unscathed.

But this time, she somehow seems rattled.

Jerry, I'm not at all confident.

Can she handle

the pressure anymore? (lighter clicking)

Maybe she overestimated herself.

Word is that she won't

be ring side tonight, (lighter clicking)

just like she hasn't been

for any of her fighters' previous bouts.

Hashtag cowardly?

Up to you to decide.

Payne Harris shouldn't care either way,

big mouth, hundreds of thousands of followers,

already a pop star in a way.

What? What is he really bringing to the table tonight?

Especially when he is up against a beast

like Tyrone Thribbs. (match igniting)

We are very happy

to have heavyweight champ Michael Moore with us.

Michael, there is a whole lot

of speculation going on. (match igniting)

What's your take on Payne's chances tonight?

- [Michael] Listen, Thribbs, strong.

I think the fight tonight is gonna be a blood,

sweat and tears fight for Payne,

but he has to push forth the effort.

If he manages to last six or seven rounds,

I think there could be something good for him at the end,

but, you know, I am very, very skeptical.

(door slamming closed)

- Angelo Dundee, Eddie Futch,

Emanuel Steward and Elliott Duffond,

you coaches all like to talk character,

resilience, determination.

I'm determined to stay and learn.

I highly doubt you have anything better to do.

- It takes more than that.

(Elliott wheezes)

Accuracy,

precision,

good instincts.

(Elliott exhales)

You gonna take it or not?

(Elliott groans)

Start underneath the head rest.

Dirt likes to hide where you can't see it.

(brush scraping)

You mentioned Angelo Dundee.

He trained Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard,

and later, George Foreman.

That man knew his stuff.

I'll give him that.

- So do you.

(brush scraping)

I watched your kid, Akeem, kick Pyroshenko's ass

in the Bronx last month.

I watched you make him do it.

You gave Akeem confidence.

- Well,

I've seen you before.

- No, I don't think so.

- Last month, it was at Maria Hernandez Park.

You had on an orange vest.

You were with a bunch of felons picking up trash.

Community service, huh?

You were talking to Akeem.

Yeah, I was running him in the park.

I thought you were a groupie.

- Just a fan.

I was asking him about his trainer and his training.

That's how I found out where to find you.

- So finding trouble is your thing?

- Dundee says, being critical is good,

but encouraging is better.

I'm tired of being fucking criticized and belittled.

I could use less of the first and more of the latter.

- [Philipp] I got to admit, it's kind of fun watching Payne.

But hey, he is not too tough.

Thribbs hasn't had the chance to land a punch yet,

and he ain't into that circus at all.

Fair enough.

Maybe Miss Williams told Payne

that there's much more merch to sell with all this nonsense.

I guess we'll never know.

So Payne relied on his cat-like reflexes

against Thribbs.

Dodge him, wear him out,

then strike fast.

He's got some serious power in those hands.

That's for sure.

- Left jab, right cross, all legendary fights,

Holmes, Lewis, Mayweather, De La Hoya,

I studied them all.

Most of all, Ali.

- Oh.

So you a Dutch girl who wants to fight like Ali?

- German.

- White.

Well, looks like you have some cash,

and I bet your family doesn't know you're here.

What do you know about Ali?

- I've done some new for this fight.

I have wrestled with an alligator.

That's right.

I done 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 the brick.

I'm so mean, I make medicine sick.

(Elliott chuckles)

- Yeah.

That man was one sick machine.

- Yeah.

And I found you on YouTube.

- Oh no.

- Some obscure boxing channel,

I watched all the clips I could find of fights.

Some crazy moves you did, Mr. Duffond.

- So, you want to box?

- Yes.

And I want you to train me.

- I don't train fighters.

I make fighters.

- So why did Akeem leave you?

Make me.

I'll pay you.

- No, it's not about fucking money.

You young people think it's all about money.

- Come on.

Let's do this. You won't regret it.

- Toni,

- I'll just didn't bring any gloves

'cause I thought you'd probably have ideas

and I didn't mention to,

- No, Toni, Toni.

- I've never really had anyone train me, so I,

- Listen.

I'm sure you have drive

and some talent.

There's nothing in it for me.

- That's bullshit!

You're underestimating me.

Or is it because I'm German?

- What?

- You think I'm a fucking Nazi, huh?

- [Elliott] No.

- [Toni] You don't believe I can go the distance.

You think I'm intimidated by you?

That I don't have the guts?

- Yo!

What happened? You supposed to come see me spar.

- Who says? - Your assistant.

- What? Which one?

- Stella? - Gladys

Whatever the fuck.

- I was in Boston until last night anyway.

- Why was you out there?

- Excuse me?

- Look, just, just come tomorrow, all right?

(Toni laughs)

- Payne?

It don't work like that.

- Then how it work?

(Toni sighs)

- Miss Williams? - How it fucking work?

- [Mitch] Miss Williams, your car is ready.

- Thanks, Mitch.

Listen, I,

I got Akeem and Miguel in your weight class, okay?

They've been, - Those guys are trash!

They have no skill, no good,

they can't work a fucking ring.

My grand mama could knock their ass out.

I know what the fuck this is about.

You mad 'cause I'm better.

And you know I'm better.

And your people are trash.

That's why you ain't want to come see me spar.

- You talk a big game.

- And you got a tiny dick, so,

- You got it. (laughs)

- What's so funny? Why you laughing?

Why you fucking laughing? (hand smacking)

- Stop yelling!

Fuck! - That's the only way I can get through to you!

- Fuck. - Come!

- I ain't got time for debates right now, okay?

I got to go.

Call Gladys. She will check my schedule.

- Get your fucking hands off me, bro.

(door slamming)

(fist thudding) (Mitch grunts)

I told you not to put your fucking hands on me.

It's his fucking fault.

- Mitch, thanks a million.

You're my VIP guest on Saturday, okay?

Bring your whole fam, front row at the ring,

Gladys got it all sorted, and just,

just get well.

Catch you.

(Toni sighs)

(traffic humming) (siren blaring)

(keys jingling) (door clicking)

You can't keep your shit together?

You ain't down with any rules?

You let yourself get played?

You can't wait a goddamn minute.

You never stepped back in line, did you?

And then you seriously think I should waste my time on you?

Talk to me.

- You don't give a fuck about me.

You really don't.

(Toni sighs)

- Can't y'all quit playing victim?

God dammit.

- Ah.

There it goes.

Can't you all quit playing the victim?

That's why you don't want to sign me,

'cause I'm Black.

- What? No.

- That's what the fuck it is.

(Payne laughs)

You know what?

I'm tired of this stupid ass, racist ass, bullshit!

- Fuck! (hand smacks)

- I'm sorry, but you don't have what it takes.

(fist thudding) (Toni grunting)

- Toni? Toni?

Breathe.

Breathe.

(Toni panting)

That's it.

That's it right there.

That's how it is.

You want more of that?

- Whatever it takes, man.

Are you gonna train me now?

- Come on.

(Toni panting)

- I asked you something.

- Ask yourself this question first.

Why?

Why boxing?

- So no one will fuck with me.

- It's not about settling a score.

It's about respect.

It's not about cheap shots.

If you ever dare throw your fist at me,

- I wanted your attention.

- You're not used to not getting what you want.

Go find a place where you belong.

It's not here.

- I'm tired of having things handed to me.

If people, when they lived in my shoes,

they'd know how it feels.

That's why I need to box. Okay?

I need to prove that I'm more than my father's daughter,

especially to him.

- Do you know why Akeem boxed?

His choices were limited.

Boxing was his answer.

He wasn't fighting to prove anything.

He was fighting for his life.

That was his instinct.

- And my instinct brought me here.

So that's why I better go change.

(phone buzzing)

Hey. How's she doing?

She's still coughing?

All right. And she's still got a fever?

All right. Fuck.

Listen, Dr. Breckman should be around tonight.

Yeah. His digit's on the fridge, the yellow sticky one, yeah.

You better call him if you ain't sure, right?

(somber music) (crowd cheering)

- [Philipp] All right.

Buddy, we got it already.

Just a few more moments, and it is nothing but round one.

Stay with us, folks. We will be right back.

- Just, just call me when she's asleep, okay?

All right, appreciate that.

Love you, bye.

Bye.

(crowd cheering) (phone thuds)

(shorts rustling)

(shoes squeaking)

(slow music)

(Toni exhales)

(hands slap face) (slow music)

You okay?

(slow music)

(Elliott breathing)

- I usually don't,

- Hit girls?

How did it make you feel?

- How do you think it makes me feel?

- No idea.

- Do I look like I hurt women?

- Everybody looks like that,

and nobody looks like that.

That's the problem.

- I don't hurt women.

- It's okay. I believe you.

Maybe it was just some instinct though.

- No. No.

No, you don't know what the hell you talking about.

- Just saying, gauging the risks.

- Those your shoes?

- Yeah.

They cool?

- What size are you?

- I'm a six and a half.

- Okay. - Seven?

(keys jingling)

- Go get a seven, they run small.

(keys jingling)

- What the hell is wrong with these?

- Are you going to question everything I ask you?

(Toni scoffs)

(footsteps tapping)

(locker creaking)

(metal music) - Oh no.

Never!

(metal music)

- [Referee] Listen up. This is the brawl y'all been waiting for.

Both of you are top notch fighters.

You're hungry and you put in the work.

Now you heard me preaching the rules

in the locker room, right ?

- Let's have a clean fight, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

- I'm looking for a clean fight from start to finish.

I want to see respect and sportsmanship.

You got me?

(crowd cheering)

All right, now, may the best man win.

Touch 'em up and God bless.

(crowd cheering)

Hey.

(crowd cheering)

- What the heck?

- Attitude, habitude, gratitude.

If you want to find purpose, it starts there.

(shoes rustling)

- They look good.

- Thank you very much,

but I didn't see a matching tutu back there.

- Are you mad?

In my place, we follow my rules.

- Cool

I mean, they're perfect.

They're, feel like a condom.

I'm ready for my recital.

- The song,

"Turn Me Wild",

- Who did it?

- Buddy Guy.

- Sounds like toon character.

- Can you dance?

- Not formally.

- Clubs?

- I'm not into that meat market like.

- I need to see you move.

I need to see your rhythm, your vibe, your swag.

- My vibe?

I can show you my moves.

I can do like 100 pushups or 1,000 speed punches

or jumping jacks or pull ups.

I mean, literally anything else.

- No, no, look. No.

I'm going to go back to my office.

When I come back in the gym, I want you gone.

(Elliott grunts)

(fist thudding) (chains rattling)

(bottle clicking)

(record player clicking)

(blues music)

♪ My baby ease my mind ♪

♪ Makes me feel secure ♪

♪ But nowadays, you know ♪

♪ You just can't be too sure ♪

♪ I keep a back up mama ♪

♪ And she live way away cross town ♪

♪ I got a back up mama ♪

♪ If mama number one is not around ♪

(blues music continues)

(blues music continues)

(blues music continues)

♪ I got back up mama ♪

♪ If mama number one is not around ♪

(blues music)

(blues music ends)

(footsteps shuffling)

(footsteps shuffling)

(Toni panting)

(Toni guzzling water)

- What's with this guy, Buddy?

- Buddy Guy .

- Buddy the Guy?

Yeah.

- He once looked for a dime and found a quarter.

- So?

- Attitude, a dime, habitude, a quarter,

gratitude?

What do you think?

- A buck?

I don't know.

- A smile, the blues is full of stories

about dimes and quarters.

Buddy tunes make you smile.

Buddy understood gratitude.

He understood what purpose was about.

- Is that, is that why they admire you like some prophet?

All the kids you've trained, you make them strong.

You, you set them free.

Through gratitude?

- Gratitude is the key.

- I guess.

You know, I,

I came here to impress,

and to be a freaking smart ass, big mouth,

to show off my moves, the peek-a-boos

and combinations and punches.

And my big mouth and imitation shit,

I'm so mean and so on.

And then I get my ass kicked

by a legend.

And danced to Buddy's ballet.

But you know what?

It feels about right.

- That's a good start.

- Yeah.

I guess I need to find myself a few times first, huh?

- Yeah.

(Toni sighs) - Do you mind if I shower here?

- Water is cold after 10.

(bell ringing) (crowd cheering)

(fists thudding)

(ominous music)

- That's you.

Fighting O'Sullivan.

Alright,

I guess I'm off.

(bag rustling)

(crowd cheering on TV)

(footsteps shuffling)

- You call this cleaning?

Come back over here and clean this right.

- Yes, sir.

- Yeah, I thought you said you loved cleaning

or is it only parks?

Now, you ready to tell me why you're in community service?

- Soccer, a weekend tournament upstate, we lost.

- You don't get community service

because you lost a soccer game.

- We were tied.

There was no one with guts on my team,

just a bunch of girls running around,

playing with their ponytails,

and the coach there was as useless.

We had a few minutes left which was totally enough

to win the game, but just before the end,

the other team gets the ball out to buy time.

And then this blonde girl from the other team stalls and

holds the ball behind her back,

so I yell at her.

And the referee gives me a warning.

- What did you say?

- Doesn't matter, she rubbed me the wrong way,

one of those mean sorority girls with a jock boyfriend.

- So you lost your cool.

- No.

She threw the ball, and I went for it.

- Did you tackle her?

- I have the ball, about to kick it in,

when I see their center forward coming my way.

Blondie checks me from behind

and jumps with full force on my ankle.

My ankle was throbbing and blood was running over my shoes.

Blondie drops down and starts yelling.

Sheer performance, even though I was the one who got hurt.

- Her team must have been pissed.

- They bought the whole show she was putting on.

No one cared that I was actually hurt

and literally bleeding.

The referee flipped me a red.

They scored a penalty.

I hate unfairness.

(gritty rock music)

I was punished,

just for trying to win.

Everyone thought I fouled that bitch.

- Uh huh, (laughing)

let's just scoot on by here.

(gritty rock music)

- I always thought that sports is a place

where justice prevailed,

that the truth was clear to everyone.

Best team wins. (bell ringing)

- Are we gonna celebrate? (woman laughing)

(woman shouts) (head banging)

- When Blondie dissed me,

I lost my shit and took it into my own hands.

♪ What you fail to understand ♪

(crowd cheering) (fists thudding)

♪ When your body don't turn ♪

♪ Body don't turn ♪

♪ Body don't turn me around ♪

♪ Ain't nobody going to turn, body going to turn ♪

♪ Body going to turn me around ♪

(remote clattering)

(liquid pouring)

(bottle clinking)

(glass sliding)

(footsteps tapping)

(bell ringing)

(glass thuds)

- [Toni] I'm not proud of that.

- It's primal.

Fight or flight.

Nothing you can do,

especially if you're wired that way.

- I,

I felt so alone.

She reported me.

Everyone who testified was on her side.

It was dumb.

I'm an idiot.

- I don't see you that way.

Take a look at yourself.

- I hate mirrors.

(crowd cheering)

- Pain is useful.

If you can overcome,

pain is a power that will supercharge you.

Pain lets you know you're alive.

You know, your story about Blondie,

it made me curious.

It's like, I wanna see how hard you can go at it.

I wanna see you go for it.

Go put on your gear.

- I'm gonna show you.

(locker door opening)

I'm coming!

(door thudding)

(footsteps tapping)

- How much those cost?

- 210. My rich bitch clients pay me well.

At least, they did.

- We train barefoot.

Your feet are your base.

I was your feet to connect with the ground.

- Copy that.

(footsteps tapping)

(crowd cheering)

- Jesse?

How's sales going so far?

Okay.

I'll be there.

(door rattling)

(Toni sighs)

- I thought you were good at cleaning up messes?

(Toni sighs)

- Other people's messes.

Remember?

(chair sliding)

- Let me ask you a question, real talk.

How did you earn your first dollar?

- Sandwiches.

I sold them at my dad's deli.

I was 14.

How about you?

- Hustling.

- Like drugs?

- Yeah. Yeah.

We worked a block for the older boys on the corner.

Hand to hand.

We could outrun getting caught.

But you can't outrun where you're from.

It shapes you,

like a tattoo.

- Tattoos can be removed.

- They leave scars.

Scars are good.

They remind you of who you really are.

Where I come from,

scars are more flashy than Rolexes,

and look, if you don't have a major scar,

you pussy.

Pardon my language.

- So where is yours?

- My major ones are

here and here.

In the ring, I was good at dodging, so yeah.

Apparently, I still am.

- No Rolex then.

- (laughs) No.

Rolexes wouldn't fit around my gloves.

Don't come out until this room is clean.

(Elliott groans)

(chair thuds and slides)

(footsteps shuffling)

(footstep shuffling continues)

(locker door closing)

(door creaking)

Listen and follow my instructions.

Sit.

No, no, no.

Ready?

- Yeah.

- Sit.

Get up.

Sit.

Get up.

I want you to use your core and your quads.

I don't want this wobbly stuff, nothing sloppy.

Accuracy.

Sit. Get up.

Sit.

Get up.

Sit.

(crowd cheering)

Get up.

- Sit.

(bell rings) Get up.

Sit.

Get up.

Sit.

- Get up.

- Sit.

Get up.

Sit.

- Get up.

- Sit.

- Get up .

- I can't.

I can't feel my legs.

(tense music)

(drawer sliding)

(pill bottle rattling) (tense music)

(tense music continues)

- That all?

(tense music)

- Sit.

Get up.

- Sit.

- Get up.

- Sit.

- Get up.

Sit.

- Get up.

- Sit.

Get up.

(Toni panting)

- You always get up.

You're always left standing.

You understand that?

Repeat it after me.

I always end standing.

- I'm always end standing.

- I always end standing.

(bell ringing)

- I'm always end standing.

(crowd cheering)

(Toni breathing)

(Toni breathing continues)

Did you quit because you couldn't get up no more?

- This ain't about me here.

- I read what happened in your last fight.

- Well, shit happens when you don't expect it.

- You tripped

and he threw you a rabbit punch when you were already down

and then hit you in the back of the head.

- Yeah. - That's so fucked up.

- Yeah.

I remember the referee's feet in my face.

Next thing I remember is being in the hospital

hooked up to IVs.

- You were so young

and just about to blow them all away

and you were a champ, man.

- I am a champ.

Not were.

- Yeah, I just meant you missed out on so many titles

and prize money and,

- No, no, that shit doesn't mean anything to me.

That's all bullshit.

- What makes a champ?

(crowd cheering)

- Your body being

totally in sync, (fists thudding)

(crowd cheering)

(fist thudding)

A champ always respects (bell rings)

his opponent. (fists thudding)

- Respects him so much that he beats the shit out of him?

- Any, if not all, fighters respect

anyone who's willing to get into the ring.

(bell rings)

This is holy ground.

- When was the last time you wore gloves?

- Long time ago.

- Are they here?

- Yes, ma'am.

- These ones?

- Put them back please.

Get in the ring.

(towel drops)

(ropes creaking)

You really think you belong there?

- Yes.

(rope creaking)

(feet thudding)

- Put it on.

- I can take it.

Pain fires me up.

- You'll regret it when you can't feel anything at all.

(upbeat rock music)

- No.

You're the rolling force.

- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,

- In the left corner,

- [Announcer] For the nex t

super middleweight champion of the world,

- The 24-year-old sensation,

- [Announcer] Payne Harris from Bushwick, New York.

- Ladies and gentlemen, weighing,

- [Announcer] Weighing 168 pounds,

let's go, baby,

feel the Payne! (crowd cheering)

- Fuck around too much.

Just stand there and be quiet.

- Right, sir.

- I'm going to throw these balls at you,

different speeds, different directions.

These are the opponent's fists.

You dodge 'em, you live.

You get hit by five or more,

you're knocked the fuck out.

You got it? - Yes, sir.

(metal music begins)

(balls thudding)

(singer vocalizing)

- Hit that body. The body!

(Toni grunts)

(balls thudding)

- [Toni] Is that all you got?

- You think this a game.

- Give it to him!

- Stop treating me like a child.

(fists thudding)

- Why do you think that is?

- You wanna teach me respect, man.

(fists thudding)

Come on, Elliott.

(fists thudding)

- Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got this.

(metal music) (crowd cheering)

(fists thudding)

- You okay?

(guitar screeching)

- Fuck.

Mm.

- Toni, you okay?

(rope creaking)

Will you sit down?

Here, let me see that.

Well, it's not terrible. Press that on the cut.

And now go in the locker room, lay down,

and I'll be right there.

- Thanks.

- Okay, good.

(Toni exhales)

(glass clattering)

(paper rustling)

(paper tearing)

(paper rustling)

- Is it gonna hurt?

- It may sting.

You can handle it though.

Get your hair out the way.

- I fucked it up again.

Why is she screeching so loud?

You call the doc yet?

- You were great.

- You're a rockstar. You got it. You got it.

Okay, just remember to use the right hand.

Okay? Use it.

Come on, baby. You're okay.

(Payne spitting)

(tense music)

- Darius?

Darius?

(Toni sighs)

(footsteps tapping)

Is she asking for Buddy?

That's her dino she always cuddles with.

Darius, it's the green one she always holding.

Locate him.

I don't know.

She sometimes stash it behind the couch pillow

when she thinks it's too scary for him.

- [Announcer] Wow, what a round for Harris.

Hats off to him.

- Darius, I need you to handle this here. Okay?

I can't be out of the damn place!

Darius, please, make her stop screeching.

Okay? Darius?

Elliott?

What's Buddy's connection to Muddy?

- They're best friends.

- Buddy and Muddy, huh?

- Yeah, best buddies.

- I guess they must have find lots of dimes

and quarters and bucks.

- Yeah, they made loads.

(footsteps tapping)

You feeling better?

- Good as new.

(bag rattling)

(bag rattling)

(plastic crinkling) (Elliott sighs)

- So how long you been with this Darius fellow?

- A year or so.

- Tell me about him.

- Where to start?

He has the most beautiful hands I've ever seen,

I've ever felt,

soft and strong at the same time.

They got scars too.

And then he's clever.

But for some reason,

it's not enough.

He never thinks he's good enough.

- Why don't you call him back?

You know, maybe he's worried. It's late.

- No, I highly doubt it.

- You did good

on your first day.

- Hey, you don't wanna stop now.

Do you?

- You're down for the count, Toni.

Your head is split open.

Look, it's okay.

There's other days.

- No, no.

I'll put that stupid head guard on.

I promise. (fists thudding)

We just starting to have fun. Come on.

(bell ringing) (crowd cheering)

All right. I can pay you for all this, for your time, I mean.

I can pay you, - I don't want

your fucking money.

I'll finish cleaning.

You call Darius.

- Why is she still screaming?

You find Buddy yet?

No.

No.

Muddy is the damn turtle, okay?

Check the fridge.

Maybe she thought he was hungry.

You just told me I had talent.

(crowd cheering)

- Rockstar, Payne.

(fists thudding)

Come on. Come on, sweetheart.

(fists thudding)

- Nobody's ever told me that.

(rope creaking)

- Not everyone can see talent.

(rope creaking)

- Darius never said anything like that.

Never.

(balls thudding)

Always when I'm with him, he wants me to dress up

and to wear these stupid girly clothes

and go to these stupid parties

and taking these stupid pictures.

- He wants to show you off.

- But he hates that I wanna be a fighter.

He doesn't think it's lady-like.

Then he makes fun of my German accent,

as if I were some Heidi Klum fraulein

or stuff like (speaks German).

- What?

- (laughs) This, - What does (speaks German) mean?

- This German for shit, fuck.

- Okay.

- Even when we fuck it's like a competition,

who makes more noise, who comes harder or longer

and more often.

(grunts) Yeah.

He loves it that way.

(metal music)

- Do that again.

(metal music)

(Elliott huffs)

(metal music)

Gauge the attitude of your throw.

Then habitude the ball.

Then finally,

release with gratitude.

(fists thudding)

You know what that is?

(Toni grunts)

- That's an uppercut, man.

Your opponent hits the mat cold

if you do it right.

- Mat, round, box,

wherever you throw it, they're going down.

(ball bouncing)

- I want to try again.

- First call Darius.

Tell him to come pick you up.

I don't want you out there in the dark alone.

(Toni sighs)

- Can you pick me up if I sent you address in Bushwick?

Forget it.

I'll crash at a friend's place.

I don't have a dress with me

and it'll take me forever to get back to the city.

Yeah, I won't make it.

Enjoy.

All right.

Whatever. Bye.

(feet padding)

(chair rustling)

- So?

- He's busy.

- He's not coming to pick you up?

- No.

He just made plans for tonight

and um doesn't matter.

- I see.

- He's more, more like a walking algorithm.

He literally read every book on management

and self-optimization

and he knows every shitty start up's value,

no matter what industry they're in.

His old man gave him 10 grand to use the stock market

to get him going and, a year later,

he made more with this 10 grand

than his old man made over his lifetime.

- Wow. - It's crazy, I mean.

- Does he like what he's doing?

- He's obsessed.

I mean, we can't even watch a movie

without him checking on the box office returns.

So stupid.

- He knows what he wants and he's going for it.

That's good as long as you don't hurt people along the way.

- Yeah.

But he sometimes barely notices me.

(crowd chattering)

Like I said,

it's just all about money and appearances with him.

(crowd chattering)

How are you guys?

Thank you.

(crowd chattering)

Mm. That's good.

(classical music)

Party here, cocktail there,

20 karat treats and whatnot.

(classical music)

And even when I try, I just embarrass him.

(Toni clears throat)

The night before the soccer game, I,

I don't know why, but I went out with this guy, Martin.

We, I had way too many drinks

and we kinda made out.

And I didn't know this asshole took a selfie of us

and posted it online.

The next day,

Darius doesn't say a word.

He just got up, took a shower,

ate my doughnuts I was saving,

and is off for work. (finger snaps)

- He ate your doughnuts?

Well, now shit. That's crossing the line.

(Elliott and Toni chuckling)

So, you took it out on Blondie?

- The judge said,

I had no business in a court room,

that I had no excuse what I did,

that I was childish and just need to get my act together.

- It must be nice being privileged.

(Toni sighs)

- Yeah. That's what he said.

Darius liked that line and kept repeating it.

"Get your act together, Toni."

- You told him everything?

- Of course, I mean, he's my boyfriend and,

- Very lucky guy.

(drum beating)

- Listen, I'm not gonna tell you how great this kid is.

The second he steps into the ring,

you're gonna see it yourself.

You just gotta hold on tight,

'cause he is going straight to the top.

Get ready for a pain in your asses.

- Hey, Mrs. Williams? (reporters chattering)

- [Reporter] Miss Williams? Miss Williams?

- Thank you.

- [Reporter] Will you be ring side this time?

- [Reporter] Isn't a title fight for Payne way too soon?

(keyboard clicking) (drum beating)

- Kyle, ain't no way to drop that.

We had a deal on three fights, okay?

Count them.

Three.

I got all partners locked in, straight up.

No, two is absolutely not an option for me.

Not on my radar.

Your boss call? (scoffs)

Kyle, it's up to you. Whatever.

Tomorrow at 4 PM, it's drop dead time.

If we don't make it, we are out.

- [Philipp] Miss Williams?

- Yeah?

- You know that no network is going

to give Harris three fights, right?

I mean, they trust you,

but Payne?

I mean, I was talking to everybody, and Kyle was saying

that he's only in for one bout.

- Hm.

- I could put in a good word for you.

You know, it's no secret that you have a track record

of not showing up in your boxer's corner.

Take Akeem's K.O. last March for example.

So, what's the deal this time?

Do you believe in your fighter?

Can we expect to see you in Payne's corner on fight night?

(crowd chattering)

(Toni chuckles)

- Philipp, didn't your mom teach you any manners?

- No.

But she taught me how to survive.

- It takes courage to stand up for something.

You never know if you don't try.

- [Philipp] Did Harris' team screw up?

We still have him ahead

but he hasn't been landing relevant shots

for the last two rounds.

His left jab isn't even connecting anymore.

Thribbs obviously smells blood in the water.

He's taken some hits but how bad are they?

Can Payne even muster the strength?

Patience is key in fights like this.

- You said you'd hit me when she's asleep.

Is that too much to handle?

You think I'm out here partying or something?

You know how brutal this game can be.

So is she good or what?

I just fucking need to know.

Call me once you're in Bushwick

and there will be no valet parking.

And by the way,

tomorrow we ain't going to be hitting the gym, okay?

I'm gonna just kick it.

So I can take care of her.

So she can get better and me too.

That's my priority.

Going to stay in bed all day.

I don't know how this training thing gonna work

with both of us feeling this way.

You're gonna figure that out.

(crowd cheering)

(Toni sighs)

Let's do some work.

- All right.

Let me take a look at that cut first.

I don't want you bleeding all over my mat.

It looks all right.

You're gonna have a small scar though.

- Guess my value's gone up.

- Now I'm gonna call this drill.

I'm gonna be looking for your fundamentals, coordination,

speed, strength, et cetera.

- Please just, just call me when she's asleep.

(door knocking)

Who is it?

- [Rita] Rita.

(Toni sighs)

- Come in.

- Boss, (door thuds)

listen up.

The guys think that we really need you out there,

maybe you can come in for real.

- I ain't gonna do it.

I ain't gonna do it, okay?

I can't fucking bear it.

You already know it's your damn duty out there, okay?

Besides he's gonna make it happen anyway.

- I've got four granddaughters.

Theresa, my youngest, is 16.

And she looks up to you, you know?

'Cause you're my boss.

Yeah.

I talk to her about you all the time

'cause I tell her how you don't take shit from nobody,

how you handle everything.

You know? Then she goes to school.

And she tells her buddies at school

that her granny's got this bad ass boss.

And the kids start asking questions, you know?

They want to know things about you,

even the guys.

And they say, well, lady boss? No way.

No way, impossible.

And they wanna know if you've got a great ass.

And she says, "Well, yeah she does have a great ass.

She really does.

But more importantly, she's a genius.

And she's loaded.

That's why she can pay my granny so good."

And that they better back the fuck off

when they start talking shit about her ass.

But she looks up to you

because she wants to be just like you,

confident and successful

and strong as hell, just like you.

She would do anything for you, anything.

There are a lot of Theresa's out there, you know?

Believe me.

And they're all rooting for him

because they're rooting for you.

They want him to win because they want you to win.

You're the mirror that they're looking in.

You're the future that they're moving towards.

Where was your boss?

That's what she's going to ask me tomorrow.

Where was your boss?

Well, what the hell am I going to say to her?

That you, you know, you just weren't up to it?

That you left him out there alone because he was doing fine?

That you're actually weak and selfish?

That you just didn't feel like it?

I'm not gonna tell her. You gotta tell her.

You're gonna tell her.

If you don't step up,

I'm gonna bring her ass in here to your office on Monday

and you're gonna look her straight in the eye

and tell her why you didn't have Payne's back

when you should have.

And it's not gonna be easy.

She's tough.

You wanna know why it's not gonna be easy?

Because she's just like you.

Just like you.

(crowd cheering)

(door thudding)

(bell rings)

- [Elliott] It's time for Muddy.

(blues music)

(gloves tapping)

- Let's go. Move it. Move it!

(blues music)

♪ Got my mojo working ♪

♪ But it just won't work on you ♪

(bell ringing)

♪ Got my mojo working ♪

♪ But it just won't work on you ♪

- Up.

Up. Get that back straight.

♪ I want to love you so bad I don't know what to do ♪

- Whoosh, whoosh. Come on.

♪ I got a whole lot of tricks ♪

- Come on, move it.

Move it. ♪ Keeping her around ♪

- One, two.

One, two.

(fists thudding) (blues music)

(bell ringing)

(crowd cheering) (blues music)

No, stop.

- What is it? - It's awful.

What are you doing?

- You said pull ups.

- A pull up is one fluid move.

Body is straight, stiff like a board.

Nope, sorry. Legs are not straight but good try.

- You're gonna get it right.

You're doing great, a rock star.

Keep it up, okay?

It's great.

- Getting into peak fighter

champion shape (bell ringing)

is going to be hell.

- I know.

But I can do it.

- I have a friend who has a track and field team

over in Bed-Stuy.

You'd kill in on that team.

- No.

No, I want this.

I mean, hey, I'm doing this. Okay?

I don't care about a stupid pull up.

I can do it.

I'm doing this.

(Toni breathing)

- I'm going to be very honest with you.

- Go ahead.

- Your 'why' for this sport is not enough

to carry on.

(waves lapping)

(waves lapping continues)

- So, what's the verdict?

Chico?

- Chica.

- I'm sure she gonna be fly.

- And pampered.

So, what's wrong with my boxers?

- Everybody be boxing.

Everybody wanna get out of their shitty life.

Everybody wanna get rich.

Everybody want nice cars.

Then they be hitting that bag

and hitting it the exact same way, beating it

like they're crazy, no technique.

I'm sure they can bench whatever you want them to bench.

And I'm sure they can run however you want them to run

but that don't mean they know what to do

in the ring with no opponent.

Fighting is a art.

It's something you gotta master.

You can't learn that in no gym.

Like me?

I know what my opponent gonna do before my opponent

know what they gonna do.

And I know how to get a crowd hyped.

I can make you money.

I can make all of y'all money.

But don't nobody want to look my way.

- It ain't nothing to gripe about.

- I know.

Everybody's trying to get with you.

You the hot shit.

Everybody want to smash you.

You can go out in the stadium, grab anybody by their nose,

and throw 'em around the stadium.

What you ain't got is a performer.

And that's me.

- How you know?

- 'Cause I know how to make shit pop.

You know it too.

That's exactly why you ain't snitch on me

when I knocked out that pussy ass valet.

You told me to get in,

we rode around the city, you gave me a pep talk

in your shitty ass car

that's probably about to get towed any minute.

- Thanks.

You hit up Gladys. Feel me?

- 244 Lexington Street.

- Is that your gym's place?

- That's where they're about to tow your fucking car to.

- I'm gonna learn.

- I'm sorry.

I can't teach what can't be taught.

- Not the guts, Elliott?

Your first time?

(fists thudding) - You being a spoiled brat

and not getting what you want,

is that your first time?

- You know what?

You, you are fucking all the same.

You're fucking all the same!

Darius!

(phone clatters)

(crowd booing)

(candy clattering)

Fuck it!

(slow jazz music)

(slow jazz music continues)

(slow jazz music continues)

(candy clinking in dish)

(slow jazz music)

(chalk scraping)

(slow jazz music)

(door thuds)

(slow jazz music)

(slow jazz music continues)

(candy crunching)

(slow jazz music)

(slow jazz music continues)

(footsteps tapping)

(Elliott breathing)

(slow jazz music continues)

- Did he call?

(wind whispering)

(Elliott groans)

(footsteps crunching)

(Toni takes drag on cigarette)

- Did you really never hurt a woman?

(Elliott groans)

- I have.

- Who?

- My mother.

- What?

(Elliott sighs)

- She stole all the money I made on the corner,

that I saved to take care of my brother and sister.

She humiliated us.

She was always drinking, getting high, staggering.

- What happened?

- She promised me

that she would stop using drugs and drinking

when my younger brother went to school,

but she lied.

She was beating his ass day in and day out.

- So, what did you do?

- One day,

she was really fucked up.

And I came in, she didn't see me coming.

And I stopped her.

- So, you hit her.

- I fucking stopped her.

She called the cops and they arrested me for assault.

And then she told the cops about my number on the corner.

- And your brother?

- I was locked up for five years.

- May I say,

tonight, for me,

(Elliott gulps)

it was, I, you can't imagine

how much I take from it.

And um,

I wanted to thank you.

- Hey,

the night's not over. (crowd cheering)

We haven't even boxed yet. (fists thudding)

(hard rock music)

- Horrible habit.

- Why do you do it?

- It helps.

It helps control the anger and aggression

and makes sadness less so.

- Give me your hands.

Make a fist.

You have to take care of these.

A fighter's life or death depends on these.

And you only have two of 'em.

You feel me?

Take care of 'em.

(music begins)

- Finally.

- Don't let 'em push.

- All right. - Okay.

- Always have fun with it, always fun.

(rock music)

(fist thudding) (shoes squeaking)

Jab with power. Yeah, I'm coming.

Yeah (grunts).

Punch through it, punch through that jab.

Step with the jab, step with jab.

(fist thudding)

Now stick and move.

Stick and move, on your toes.

(steady music) (crowd cheering)

- Keep your arms up, baby. Okay?

Stay loose. All right?

Move your feet. Okay?

Okay. He hit you, so what?

We're gonna get him back in this round.

All right? You hear me?

Hear me? Look in my eyes, look in my eyes.

Come on. Come on.

Stay with me. Stay with me.

You're gonna get it.

Don't just yes me!

Tell me yes! Come on.

Yes! Yes!

Come on, say it to me.

All right, all right. - Yeah.

- All right. Okay.

Love you, sweetheart. All right, you get this.

Okay?

Go get him.

(rock music)

- Four, three, (fists thudding)

two, one.

Use that leg to twist in.

(Toni shouts) Yeah.

(fist thudding) Yes, nice.

(fists thudding) Double hook, double hook.

Get in close. Get in close, like you're holding.

Come on. What, what, get in close.

Watch my shoulder. You're in close.

(crowd cheering)

I'm gonna hit you with my shoulder. Watch.

You here, you see it?

- Yeah. - I can turn my shoulder

into your chin. - Yeah, yeah.

- Get close, get closer.

You can get in on him, don't pop out.

Whack, whack. (fists thudding)

On your toes, on your toes.

Jump and jab.

(fists thudding)

- Come on, buddy. Come on, sweetie.

- Just move. Dance, move.

He's coming after you, boom, boom.

He's trying to catch you.

- There you go. There you go.

- Hit, don't be hit.

Every now then, you hit him with a jab.

Bang, you pop him when he's coming in,

he's going after you, think he's slick,

hit him with a jab and then get out.

- [Rita] Let's go!

(fists thudding)

- 10, (fists thudding)

nine, eight,

seven, six,

five, four,

three, two,

one. (fist thuds)

(Toni exhales)

(crowd cheering)

You okay? (Toni breathing)

Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth.

In through the nose.

(Toni exhales) Yeah, let it go.

That's it. Yeah.

- Damn, this feels good.

- Yeah .

- What you think of going over to the ring

and do a little bout, just you and me, two minutes,

just a quick round?

- Good well then, let me ask you seriously.

Are you okay with me hitting you?

- I can take it.

Obviously.

(fists thudding)

(Elliott groaning)

(head gear squeaking)

(latch clicking)

- Good?

- I guess I look like a Teletubby.

- Don't get too excited.

I'm a old man.

(Elliott groans)

- You think so.

- Yeah, I think so.

(Elliott breathing)

(Elliott groaning)

(ropes creaking)

(ominous music)

- Is Darius black?

- He's a man.

They're fucking all the same.

- You think so?

- I think so, yeah.

- Make him feel that.

- All right, all right, all right.

Come on!

(fists thudding)

(crowd cheering)

- One.

Two.

Three.

- Get up!

- [Referee] Four.

- Hey, get up.

- Five.

- Get up!

- [Referee] Six.

Seven.

Eight.

(Payne groaning)

Nine. (phone buzzing)

10! (bell ringing)

(Payne shouting)

(ominous music) (phone buzzing)

(feet tapping)

- Fuck!

(feet tapping) (phone buzzing)

(phone buzzing)

- [Darius] Hey, Love. I'm so sorry for you.

He was pretty good actually.

He did really good.

But hey, she's finally asleep, so no worries here.

Wait.

You went out there?

Wow.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

(singer vocalizing)

♪ Behind each scar ♪

♪ A story to tell ♪

♪ But the world's too dark ♪

♪ Nothing could change ♪

♪ Nothing could change the way I ♪

♪ Nothing could change the way that I am ♪

♪ Oh the way that I am ♪

♪ Each moment a man must do what he can ♪

♪ For nothing could change ♪

♪ Nothing could change the way that I ♪

♪ Oh the way that I am ♪

♪ Nothing could change the way that I am ♪

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

♪ Nothing could change ♪

♪ The way that I am ♪

♪ Nothing ♪

♪ Nothin g ♪

♪ Could change the way that I am ♪

♪ Nothing could change the way that I am ♪

♪ Nothing could change the way ♪

♪ The way that I am ♪

♪ Oh nothing could change ♪

♪ The way, the way that I am ♪

(music ends)