The story “Bleed For This” is about an Italian boxer from a modest home who didn’t quit after an accident that almost took him out of the boxing sport for good.
Bleed For This is a 2016 American biographical sports film written and directed by Ben Younger and based on the life of former world champion boxer Vinny Pazienza. The film stars Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal, Ciarán Hinds, and Ted Levine.
I was expecting a die hard boxer who did everything to be great, but the first scene showing an unserious Vinny pazienza who was just trying to make weight on the night of the weight-in, which was discouraging.
Even though he’s gifted and blessed with his boxing ability his unseriousness and nonchalant attitude almost cost him his life as he couldn’t even focus. You would think getting knocked out flat by Mayweather would make him get his life together. Well, there’s not much to get together when your coach calls you out on life TV and tell you to quit boxing 🥊.
He later linked up with Tyson manager, the one that got fired (yeah Kevin Rooney). Kelvin taught him defense and improved his head movements and also advised him to bump up two weight class, which at the time nobody was doing back then.
Vinny’s father Mr Pazienza is his number one fan, he loves his son and wants him to be a champion. He is one of the people that pushes Vinny to be better and to want to be a champion. Mr Pazienza was desperate to see Vinny hold a belt, he would do anything for his son to become champion.
Kelvin, Vinny manager was upset when his first fight after he was bumped two weight classes was a title fight with Gilbert Dele (the French champion).
I want you to understand the difference between a risk and a gamble. This is calculated, what we do here is calculated, we weigh the odds we make a choice, this ain’t blackjack Vinny. It ain’t orange juice and tit jobs and sunglasses,
THIS IS FVCKING IT!!!
Kelvin to Vinny before the Title Fight
Unfortunately, an unlucky incident happened, Vinny was involved in a car accident that almost took his life. He had an option of doing a spinal fusion and installing a halo, so his neck could heal again. The doctor could only guarantee he will walk again with the spinal fusion but he wanted to be able to box again, so he didn’t mind gambling with the halo.
You know what kev, am getting pretty sick of everybody talking about me like am dead, like I died in that car wreck, like it’s just over for me. Kev, am gonna fight again.
Kev’s Response: No, you ain’t Vinny it’s what everybody here knows, they just afraid to say it to you
When Vinny was on Halo
Vinny was eventually able to convince his coach to start training him with the Halo on his head, but without his parents permission or notice and they also filmed the process.
When Mr Pazienza later found out, he got mad and sent Kev out of his house, and on the day of he halo removal, Vinny didn’t allow the doctor to make use of any anaesthetic while removing the halo screws. “That was bad ass”!!
After the rehab process, getting a matchup for him was impossible cos it’s a loose loose situation for the fighter. If Vinny looses the fighter will be an asshole and if Vinny wins then it’s even worse.
I will say Vinny is a very lucky human, cos all through the course of the Sport Documentary Movie he kept getting opportunities but he took them well.
After all the hassle of not even getting a sparring partner, his first fight coming out of rehabilitation was again Roberto Duran the World Middleweight title holder, but his coach was shocked when he turned and said “It’s all up to you Kev, if you think I should fight it”.
Vinny took a lot of hit during the fight, he looked like he wasn’t listening to the coaches instruction and his dad almost called the fight. But during the 7th round pre talk Kev was able to get through to him and he was able to comeback and even though the fight went into Judge Score Cards, Vinny was named the champion of the World!
Bleed For This is a wonderful documentary, it’s a must watch and I fully recommend. Documentary are mostly for geeks and history lovers but this particular documentary is a delight and Sport documentaries has been on point.
Let this Vinny Pazienza story be a source of inspiration, never give up and make sure to get the right people into your corner.
We all have a plan until you get punched in the face
Mike Tyson
If you’re interested in comebacks in Sport History, make sure to check out …
Watch trailer here
