Holland targeted for lead role in biopic on one of boxing’s saddest nights.
On the 13th of November, 1982, boxing experienced one of the darkest days in its long and storied history, for it was on this day that America’s WBA lightweight champion Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini defended his world title against South Korean contender Kim Duk-koo.
It was at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada, United States, a defence on home soil for Mancini, a champion at merely 21 years of age.
This was Mancini’s second title defence, having first retained it against Ernesto España just two months after winning it in a first-round stoppage of Arturo Frias.
So, in his third title fight of the year, Mancini fought Kim, a 27-year-old with a 17-1-1 record who had never fought outside of his home country. But most pressingly, he had only gone as far as 12 rounds once, while his fight with Mancini was a 15-round fight.
The events of Mancini vs. Kim led to the shortening of title fights to 12 rounds, as after being stopped in the 14th frame, Kim slipped into a coma and passed away five days after the bout.
The tragic nature of the event would only increase, as Kim’s mother would take her own life three months later, while Richard Green (the bout’s referee) would also die by his own hands in July of 1983.
The sad tale is set to be the subject of Boom, a biopic involving director David Boo and producer Sean Frankenheimer. The actor they want to play Ray Mancini? Tom Holland.
Holland rose to prominence with his portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series of films, and the 30-year-old Briton has previously revealed himself to be a fan of boxing and said that he would love to star in a film about the sport.
While David Boo has stated that he has reached out to Holland’s team with the idea and been turned down, he and Frankenheimer remain confident that Holland will accept the role if he sees the script for himself.
The actor stars in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is set to release in cinemas tomorrow.
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
