Sparring Partners

Benny, 36 years old, is the Italian light heavyweight champion. After testing positive for a banned substance, the sports tribunal suspends him for four years. Mario, 16, trained by the same coach as Benny, is six kilos overweight just one week before the start of the championships. When the coach begins to doubt Mario's chances, Benny persuades the young athlete not to give up. By helping him lose weight, Benny atones for his mistakes, manages to move beyond his past, and begins to look toward a second chance in the present.

When I met him, Benny was facing the worst moment of his life, both as a boxer and as a man. The film was supposed to be the story of the appeal process and the "rematch" in court. When the disqualification was confirmed Benny had no more reasons, neither to continue his boxing career, nor to go on with the film. Mario's weight problems were a godsend for him and for the story: by helping the boy lose weight Benny gave a new meaning to what he was doing. I felt that something was changing in him, until he decided to go back to fighting. He wanted to show that despite the disqualification he remained a champion.

Festivals and screenings

Festival dei Popoli Sole Luna Doc Film Festival

Awards

Premio TENK al Sole Luna Doc Film Festival