Showtime has acquired the rights to the award-winning documentary “Ringside,” which will premier on the network at 8:30 p.m. ET / PT on June 12.
“Ringside” chronicles the journeys of two boxing prodigies on the perilous streets of their rough neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
The documentary, filmed over nine years, focuses on amateur standouts Kenneth Sims Jr., and Destyne Butler Jr., as well as their fathers, who train them. The film was directed by Andre Hörmann.
“Filmed over the course of nine years, “Ringside” is a complex, emotional account of two youths fighting to survive both professionally and personally,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “This remarkable film follows two gifted young boxers and the fathers who guide them, as they strive to overcome a seemingly never-ending series of personal and societal obstacles.
“The result is a moving story about hope, ambition, self-discipline, resilience and redemption. It is this type of provocative story, at the intersection of sports and society, that has become the hallmark of Showtime Sports Documentary Films.”
Both fighters are now professionals. Sims (14-2-1, 5 KOs) has fought four times on “ShoBox: The Next Generation.” Butler (9-0, 5 KOs) has bounced back from a prison term.