Better than the best: 7 Combat sports movies where we see an underdog rising to fame

The good thing about underdog movies is they inspire us to rise above all odds and achieve success through relentless hard work. They redeem our belief in the power of hope and teach us that through sheer will power and determination we can take control of our destiny and steer our lives to the path we want to follow and break out of chains of toxic situations that constantly hold us back. If you are in need of some motivation and enjoy watching combat sports, here is a list of 7 Combat sport movies where we see an underdog rising to fame.

1) Rocky (1976)

The 1976 movie - Rocky, often credited with skyrocketing Sylvester Stallone to fame is a film about a small time boxer, who gets a rare opportunity to shine in a World Heavyweight Championship. The movie features the socioeconomic struggles faced by this fighter, who goes by the name of Rocky Balboa.

To make the most of this opportunity presented to him, Rocky trains beyond the limits of what is considered safe and gives his all to win. We see how determined he is to prove the people who selected him for the fight as a joke - wrong, and leaves no stone unturned to reclaim victory.

2) Creed (2015)

Creed, Image Source – Warner Bros. Pictures

Featuring Michael B. Jordan, Creed is a follow up to the iconic film - Rocky. Adonis Johnson is the son of the famous fighter Apollo Creed. Adonis is born after the death of his father and with no one to fall back on, is raised in foster care. Eventually he finds his way to a better life but his legacy call backs to him. He can’t seem to detach himself from the art of boxing and often finds himself drawn to it, thus he leaves his job and stable life and hurls himself into the sphere of boxing, seeking none other than Rocky Balboa as his mentor.

The movie very vividly shows the vulnerability faced by Adonis who is desperately in search of belonging and when he embraces his legacy, he has to fight to prove his worth.

3) The Karate Kid (1984)

The Karate Kid, Image Source – Columbia Pictures

The Karate Kid has now become a cult classic. This 1984 movie follows the life of Daniel LaRusso, who is a young boy from New Jersey, who is a victim of bullying. His life takes a turn when an old Japanese handyman who goes by the name of Mr. Miyagi, spots his bullying and saves him by teaching him the art of Karate. Thus, we see the transformation of Daniel from a weak bullied boy to someone with discipline and courage.

It is a movie that shows half your battle is won, once you start believing in yourself and come to peace with your true inner identity. It shows how good mentorship can truly change a person especially when you are taught the balance between honour and aggression while fighting.

4) Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Million Dollar Baby, Image Source – Warner Bros. Pictures

With a star cast, consisting of - Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Hilary Swank and many others, Million Dollar Baby is another film about an underdog rising to fame, but with a feminist twist to it. Maggie Fitzgerald is a middle-aged woman working as a waitress with high hopes of becoming a professional boxer. She approaches a veteran trainer in a broke down gym to train her.

Despite earlier hesitancy he agrees and we see the rise of a boxing sensation. Defying the norms of age, gender and class barriers, we see how sheer determination can help a person rise against all odds.

5) The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter, Image Source – Paramount Pictures

Starring Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg, The Fighter released in 2010 is movie directed by David O. Russell. This is a real life story of boxer - Micky Ward who spent his life being overshadowed by his brother Dicky Eklund. When his brother starts struggling with addiction we see Micky struggle even more in his journey to find fame.

The chaos around him keeps on rising but eventually he decides to take control of his life, even when it comes at a painful cost of familial sacrifice. This real life story shows the resilience, loyalty and self empowerment journey of an underdog and his rise to fame amidst toxic family ties that kept dragging him down.

6) Cinderella Man (2005)

Cinderella Man, Image Source – Universal Pictures

Directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man is a story about James J. Braddock, who used to be a famous boxer during the 1920s. But then his career took a hit with the Great Depression of 1930s which eventually forcing him into a life of poverty. His once adventurous life is now filled with hard labour and struggle.

But then an opportunity presents itself which offers him hope to turn his life around. We see James put in his all to seize the second chance life has presented him, especially with his family motivating and supporting him throughout his transformational journey.

7) The Hurricane (1999)

The Hurricane, Image Source – Universal Pictures

Another combat film which shows an underdog rising to fame is the 1999 film - The Hurricane, directed by Norman Jewison. Portrayed by Denzel Washington, Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter is a middleweight boxer who enjoys unparalleled fame during the 1960s.

But his stardom suffers a setback when he is wrongfully accused of committing a homicide. His prosecution is filed with racial bias and gets him sentenced into a life imprisonment. Under imprisonment he writes an autobiography which inspires a teenager who works relentlessly to get him released and ultimately restores his hope in humanity.