The movie, “The Fighter”, starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale is about the life and times of former junior welterweight boxer, “Irish” Micky Ward.

Ward started his career out strong, winning his first 14 fights, but then took time off after losing 4 consecutive bouts.   After surgery on Ward’s right hand, his half-brother and former boxer, Dicky Eklund (played by Christian Bale) convinced Ward to go back into the ring, during a time when Eklund was experiencing his own personal trauma.

Ward’s return to boxing was a success and it set the stage for what would become three of the most tenacious fights against evenly matched Arturo Gatti. The fights were so intense that both men required trips to the hospital.  Ward managed to win the first of the trilogy, however, Gatti was victorious in the last two.  All were won by decision despite knockdowns by both boxers!

Sugar Ray Leonard, who beat Dicky Eklund in a unanimous decision in 1978, makes a cameo appearance.

"The Fighter" Theatrical Poster