Ving Rhames has played tough guys before. In fact, most of his films tend to have him play a strong willed character, with the exception of a few such as 'I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' and 'Holiday Heart'. In what will probably be his biggest role since playing famed boxing promoter Don King in 'Don King: Only in America', Rhames will play heavyweight boxer Sonny Liston in the biopic 'Phantom Punch', which Robert Townsend will direct.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Phantom" will chronicle Liston's rise to fame as a boxer and the single "phantom punch" he took at the hands of Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) that many believe led to the demise of his career.
Liston was the 24th of 25 children born to an Arkansas sharecropper. Prone to violence, he at one point served prison time for robbing a gas station and another for beating up a police officer. He turned to fighting as a way to gain respect and became world heavyweight champion in 1962.
While he was known to have ties to the mob -- and one of the most potent punches in heavyweight division history -- the boxer is best remembered for the incident that took place just two minutes into the 1965 bout with Ali. The fighter -- who had seldom been knocked to his feet -- went down from what was long debated as a felonious punch. The photograph from the fight's conclusion was forever immortalized on the cover of "Sports Illustrated."
This wouldn't be the first time we have seen Rhames on the big screen in the boxing ring. In 2002, Rhames boxed against Wesley Sniped in 'Undisputed'.
Townsend is known for directing the musical film, 'The Five Heartbeats.'
'Phantom Punch' was written by Ryan Combs and Hassain Zaidi and Marek Posival are producing the independently-financed film, which began production Monday in Toronto and is scheduled to finish in early December
Comments: (14)
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By: Rochester Gibbs on 10/30/2007 9:13AM
Van is a terrific actor, without a doubt. However Sonny Liston was an extremely unpopular Champion. I hope things work out for the producers and don't hurt Van's career. It's possible that the character of Liston could come off as a sympathetic figure. Great writing and great acting can do that, and Van certain has the instrument of a great actor. Good Luck.
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By: JC on 10/30/2007 4:26PM
Ving Rhames was excellent in his "Don King" character. It's good that he still gets quality roles.
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By: R. G on 10/30/2007 10:15PM
I think that the blog response here, is indicative of what the Box Office will be like for a Sonny Liston Movie. People don't naturally know of this man, and the ones who do, for the most see him as a thug. I hope I'm wrong.
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By: Gee on 10/31/2007 10:06AM
Sorry R.G. but your wrong. Do you know how many people know about Sonny Liston in this world? Do you know how many peole love boxing in this country, in the world really? Ali didnt just make him famous he was already known as one of the hardest hitting heavyweights to ever put on a pair of six or eight ounce boxing gloves. And if you've ever fought before you know that eight ounce gloves are hard as hell. You need to learn a little about Liston before you judge. I think Ving will bring life to Sonny's character that will let us know that it was much more to him than that right hand Ali pulled on him. It was the same type of punch that Holyfield caught Mike tyson with in their first fight. I still think that Sonny threw that fight. He wouldn't of beat Ali but it would of been a much better bout. Ali was even pissed. He was yelling at Liston to get up because he wanted the world to see him beat Liston with his boxing ability not some fake punch or maybe it wasn't. Liston went into a deep depression after that fight. Now you do your homework and take it from there.
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By: DMacK on 10/31/2007 1:11PM
I completly agree with Gee Sonny Liston is a very well known boxer and just the mention of his name in the boxing community has been known to spark huge debates. I think Ving Rhames is the perfect canidate for this role!!!
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By: FAT CAT on 10/31/2007 2:28PM
I love Ving Rhames as an actor and think he will make an excellent actor for this staring role he has the size and skill's needed to pull off the film. I can't wait for the movie I was about 13 y/o at the time and remember my father always talking about the 'Phantom Punch' he was a Liston man because he was the George Foreman or Mike Tyson of his day just beating up people so bad nobody wanted to get in the ring with him. It will be good to see the back drop of this story.
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By: Gee on 10/31/2007 4:32PM
To DMack and Fat Cat. Sonny Liston use to destroy cats. Remember what he did to Floyd Patterson? Man, that was devastating. I hurt just thinking about that fight. This movie will not only show us that side of the man but the demons that he dealt with that led to his death. It was so sad, so very sad. He deserves to have his story told.
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By: non ya on 10/31/2007 9:11PM
ihope robert townsend will cast talented unknowns next along w/ RHING!!
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By: R.G on 11/01/2007 6:15PM
Gee, do you consider Sonny Liston a tragic hero?
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By: kevin marshall on 11/01/2007 12:56AM
Sonny liston was a mob bought champion known as the "gorilla of boxing" Liston was an enforcer for the mob. Once they saw what they had they put him in the ring and made a mint off of his fist. Alas like 99% of the black champions of that era did he died broke. But how else do you die when the mob takes half and the government takes the other half and leaves you
with whats left!
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