Against the Ropes Page #3

I know potential, and I see it in you.

I do, Luther.

- I got potential?

- Yeah.

- Watch out, world.

- Don't laugh at me. All right?

I'm serious.

If you took me serious,

we could be driving Jags

and sporting Versace.

You're a woman.

And you're white.

- Say it like I'm a disease.

- In the fight game, you are.

- Say it like I'm a disease.

- In the fight game, you are.

I'm not saying it would be easy.

All right? But I'm used to hard.

I am. OK?

How do you want to do this?

Do you want to work together?

You want to make a deal?

- Make a deal?

- Yeah.

You never managed

nobody in your whole life.

How you gonna front me,

you can't front yourself?

You're nine-to-fiving it.

You're driving a damn Honda.

I have some savings, I'll do a budget.

I'm good with budgets.

And I'm really good with people.

I can read them.

And I can read you, Luther,

and I know you want to do this.

Maybe I'm interested.

Maybe I'll call you.

Maybe I won't.

You're the one that's gonna

have to wait and see.

When you pay your tickets,

you can register your vehicle.

Basically, it's what you call an

"all there is to it" situation.

Mister, when you pay your tickets,

you can register...

- Hey, Felix.

- Next!

Jackie Kallen.

We spoke on the phone.

I remembered you, you didn't

remember me. Remember?

Hey, Cynthia, I'm breaking.

So you say this boy is good, huh?

Well, good is a dime a dozen.

Oh, no, he's better than good.

He's the bomb.

And you're the best.

You've turned more chumps

into champs than Eddie Futch.

I got out of the game

for a reason, you know.

Yeah, I know you had a stroke in '96.

I was sorry to hear about that.

The stroke didn't do

nothing but clear my head.

Look, I ain't got time to waste

training no cash registers

in it for the money.

That's a wonderful sentiment,

and I totally agree.

Although ultimately,

boxing is a business.

It's a sport first.

You know, learn your craft,

pay your dues.

Money will come,

and it will go.

That's why they call it "cash flow".

Felix, this kid reminds me

of Marvin Hagler.

It's just nonstop punches.

He is the real deal.

I wouldn't have

troubled you otherwise.

Ray-Ray Kallen's niece.

All right. I'll take a meet.

Felix.

Luther may just...

He may be just a... tiny bit raw.

Well, raw's workable.

Rotten isn't.

Look, Felix,

I don't know what to tell you.

- Hey, Felix, it's traffic, it's rush hour.

- Yes.

This time every day.

Hey, Luther!

There he is.

Felix Reynolds.

This tired-ass old man

is gonna be my trainer.

Lady, I thought you said

you had a plan.

Let me see your stance.

He ain't worth it.

- Oh, well. Next.

- Next?

Hey, do you see a line anywhere?

You stop being a brat and apologize.

A brat?

What's that supposed to mean?

Whatever it takes

to get him back. He is it.

Hey, Felix!

Now, Luther has

something to say to you.

- Luther.

- Hey.

Look, old man, hold up. No disrespect

intended, but what have you done?

Who have you trained? Let's hear

some actual ring experience.

You first.

Was I right or what?

Yeah, he packs a helluva

punch like you said.

Combinations need tightening.

They're all over.

But he's strong, got a great feint,

and he's a southpaw like Hagler.

He could make some noise

in the middleweight division.

All right. Time, boys.

Well, if he can learn

to be a switch hitter,

fight from the right-hand stance

as well as the left,

- he could surprise some people.

- Left, right, whatever.

- It was all right?

- It was better than all right.

But you gotta get in shape,

you gotta get in boxing shape, right?

Yeah, your body's strong.

Your mind...

...gonna need

a whole lot of discipline.

Ain't nothing wrong with my mind.

The ring. Get it at 5:00.

Oh, no, I don't get

off of work till 6.

In the morning.

Is it cheaper?

No. It's available.

Five o'clock in the morning?

Man, you can forget that.

You gotta leave

some room for sleep.

Haven't you slept enough, son?

In three years, I pay you 2...

Luther? Listen.

Three years, 250 a week,

then I recoup that amount

from your winnings.

After that, after we

start making a profit,

you take the lion's share,

I get 33 and a third.

What you think, Felix?

You heard what the lawyer said.

She's assuming all the risks.

She's making an investment in you.

Well, she ain't got to worry.

You bring it all on. I'm gonna squash

whatever you send my way.

Lady, that's the best I can do.

A grand for all that gold?

Are you nuts?

It's worth three times

more than that.

Worth ain't the way it works.

What about fair?

Does fair work?

No?

OK.

OK, what about this?

You give me 1,250,

I throw that in for free. 1,250.

Please don't screw me

beyond that point.

I have kids.

How are you doing?

How the hell you been?

How you been?

Hey, Luth, look here.

This here is Kevin Keyes,

the best cutman in the business.

- Good to meet you.

- How you doing?

This is Cedric Mouketendi,

your sparring partner.

- Mouke what?

- Mouketendi.

It's Ugandan.

Call me Rick. It's easier.

I'm gonna take you out, Africa.

Monkey's ass always talks sh*t.

Off the ropes! Off the ropes! Come on,

spin out of there, now! Time! Time.

Time.

Now you see what the hell

I'm telling you about your jab?

Stop street fighting.

When he misses,

counterpunch him.

- His rhythm's great.

- It ain't his rhythm I'm worried about.

In a minute,

when I say again.

I put him in with a bigger man

so he'd learn how to move.

- Hey! Hey! Hey!

- Luther!

- Luther!

- Hey! Come on!

Come on, now. Come on.

Boy, you wanna fight

like a damn hoodlum?

I'll toss your black ass

back out on the street!

You think I'm playing with you?

I ain't playing with you, boy!

Hey, Luther, look at me.

Look, look.

You can't win if you fight dirty,

do you understand that?

- You all right, son?

- Yeah, I'm all right.

- He's here to help you.

- Sorry, it won't happen again.

Will it?

- Won't happen again.

- Say it like we can hear it!

It won't happen again!

Hey. Hey. I don't want any

threatening or yelling.

That is not helping him.

Yeah, well, I'm trying to teach

the boy how not to use his fists.

What do you suggest?

Handcuffs?

Whatever happened to this dude?

Your uncle Ray-Ray.

He died about a year

after that was taken.

Hey, I'll start a scrapbook for you

as soon as we get our first fight.

So did your dad start

you in boxing?

No. Counselor, juvenile hall.

In your lap.

And your dad?

May he rest in peace.

And your mom?

Who the hell knows, man?

Do you have any

brothers and sisters?

I got a brother named Michael

in Philly. He's a year older.

Stupid-ass Social Services.

They separated us,

so we grew up apart. I see him

when I see him. It's no big deal.

I thought we were

gonna be straight.

I'm being straight with you.

Who were you beating up today

in the gym? It wasn't Mouketendi.

- I lost my temper.

- You found your temper.

What you lost is the rest of you.

Look, I go off sometimes, all right?

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