By Mike Samuels
Legendary actor Robert De Niro, most notably known throughout the boxing circle for his portrayal of Jake La Motta in Martin Scorsese’s 1980 blockbuster Raging Bull, is reportedly set to enter the boxing ring once again alongside fellow actor Edgar Ramirez.
Deadline reports De Niro and Ramirez have agreed to play alongside one another in the new boxing drama Hands of Stone from writer/director Jonathan Jakubowicz and producer Jay Weisleder. Ramirez is set to be cast in the role of hall-of-fame boxer Robert Duran and De Niro will portray his long-time trainer Ray Arcel.
Robert Duran is arguably looked upon as one of the four best fighters during boxing “golden era” of the 1980s, fighting against and alongside other great fighters such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns.
During a career that spanned over three decades (1968-2001) Duran, a native of El Chorillo, Panama compiled a professional record of 103 wins, 16 losses, with 70 wins by knockout.
Hands of Stone will focus mostly on one of the sports true enigmas, the 1980 rematch between Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard where Duran famously uttered “No Mas” and quit during the eighth round.
“The story of Roberto Duran and Ray Arcel is not only a homage to the golden days of boxing; it is most importantly the story of a fatherless man who teaches every single one of us the true meaning of never giving up,” Weisleder said.
The film is set to begin production in September in Duran’s home country of Panama.
De Niro is fresh off completing Grudge Match, another movie center around the pugilistic sport, with Sylvester Stalone set to be released this fall.