Many great films in history tell the story of boxers who have made it to the top only by overcoming the odds against them. Their journey to success is paved with difficulties. Often the person who is their biggest support is their unlikely boxing trainer who is typically hardened and tough.
Here are the top boxing trainers in the history of movies.
Michael “Mickey” Goldmill – “Rocky”
Perhaps one of the most memorable of film’s boxing trainers is Burgess Meredith’s Mickey Goldmill. Sylvester Stallone, who wrote and starred in the hit movie series “Rocky”, modeled Mickey after real life trainer Charley Goldman. Charley was the real life trainer for boxer Rocky Marciano which the story of “Rocky” is loosely based on. Meredith was a seasoned actor who mimicked Goldman’s gravely voice, wise remarks and inventive training techniques. In the first “Rocky” film Mickey is a retired boxer who was in his prime from 1922 through 1947. Although he and Rocky Balboa get off to a rough start, Mickey agrees to mange Rocky, the underdog, for a fight against heavyweight boxer Apollo Creed. Mickey teaches Rocky to use both left and right hands to throw Creed off his game and to protect Rocky’s injured eye.
Tony “Duke” Evers – “Rocky”
Tony “Duke” Evers (Tony Morton) takes over as Rocky Balboa’s boxing trainer after the death of Mickey. Duke had originally trained Apollo Creed so he appears in the first 3 “Rocky” movies before Creed retires. Following Mickey’s death and Rocky’s loss of the championship, Duke returns with Creed to help Rocky. They essentially take him into their “family” and encourage him to have a rematch. While Creed is Rocky’s manager, Duke is his trainer. When Creed is killed in the ring by Soviet Union boxer Ivan Drago, Duke and Rocky are determined to take on Drago in the Soviet Union. Duke continues to train Rocky until his retirement and returns in the sixth film of the series “Rocky Balboa” when Rocky boxes in a post-retirement exhibition. Morton is one of the few actors who appears in all 6 of the “Rocky” films.
Frankie Dunn – “Million Dollar Baby”
Clint Eastwood brings the gritty lonely character of Frankie Dunn to life in 2004’s “Million Dollar Baby”. Dunn is a hardened lonely man whose daughter has alienated. Dunn is a retired boxer and trainer whom aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hillary Swank) hopes will raiser her to a professional level. Dunn refuses to train Fitzgerald because she’s a woman. Fitzgerald proves her determination, roughness and grit and Dunn agrees to become her trainer. She goes on to have a successful career in boxing until tragedy strikes. Through the journey of “Million Dollar Baby”, Maggie Fitzgerald teaches Dunn about acceptance and they become friends. As the tragic end unfolds we see Dunn as a compassionate sole.
Joey LaMotta – “Raging Bull”
Joe Pesci got his big break when Martin Scorsese cast him in “”Raging Bull”. Pesci was an unknown struggling actor when Scorsese saw him in a low budget film and thought he had potential. “Raging Bull” is the 1980’s biographical sports drama about boxer Jake LaMotta. LaMotta was an Italian American boxer with inner demons. He is filled with rage and jealousy. Pesci plays his brother Joey who is also his manager and trainer who tries to help LaMotta battle his emotional issues.
Dicky Eklund – “The Fighter”
“The Fighter” is a 2010 boxing film starring Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward and Christian Bale as his older half brother Dicky Eklund. Dicky was a successful boxer who once boxed Sugar Rae Leonard. Dicky was called “The Pride of Lowell (Massachusetts)” while in his prime. Following his boxing career Dicky turns to drugs particularly crack. He trains Micky who is starting a career in boxing and is known as “Irish”. The rise of Micky’s career as he reaches for the welterweight title is similar to “Rocky’s” underdog story. Because of his addiction, Dicky is unreliable. Eventually Micky, influenced by his girlfriend, fires Dicky and his manager, their overbearing mother. Dicky ends up in prison but uses the time to train himself. After his release from prison Dicky is cast out of a family gathering by his brother’s girlfriend and considers smoking crack. He doesn’t and returns to train Micky for his biggest fight. Dicky and Micky’s journey and loyalty to each other are endearing for a boxing film.
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