Against The Ropes (Art Imitates Life Collection)

She gave the boxing world the one-two punch they never saw coming.

Inspired by a true character, but with fictional elements thrown in, Against the Ropes tells the story of Jackie Kallen, the most successful female boxing manager ever to make her mark on the game.

Jackie (Meg Ryan) is introduced when she works as secretary to boxing promoter, Irving Abel (Joe Cortese). It’s not a job she enjoys and she is overworked and underpaid, but, because her father ran a gym, boxing has always been in her blood and she wants to be part of the sport even if it has to be in the most menial way. She knows, however, that there’s got to be something better for her.

She gets her chance when she sees how a street thug, Luther Shaw (Omar Epps) handles himself in a fight. Jackie is sure he has championship potential and when she convinces Luther as well, she signs him up and finds him a trainer, Felix Reynolds (Charles S Dutton who is also the movie’s director).

There’s local opposition to her, especially from big-time promoter, Sam LaRocca (Tony Shalhoub), with whom Jackie has had a few spats in the past. Things change, however, when Luther gets a few wins under his belt and people start to take notice of his ferocious boxing talent – and of the woman behind him.

After finally achieving what she has aimed for, Jackie becomes seduced by her newfound fame and she betrays some of the people who have helped her get there – including Luther and local sports reporter, Gavin Reese (Tim Daly).