After a near-fatal car accident left him nursing a crippling spinal injury, few would have predicted that Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza would walk again let alone climb into the ring. Low and behold, 13 months after that brush with death, Pazienza returned and indeed defeated WBC World Jr. Middleweight Champion Luis Santana in what is widely considered to be one of the best comeback stories in boxing history.
Open Road Films will bring that inspired underdog story to the masses late next month in the form of Bleed For This, a starry boxing drama that has Miles Teller don the gloves as The Pazmanian Devil. Buzz for the movie is fairly high following its premiere at TIFF, and though last year’s Creed will be the one to beat for many, the casting of a frankly unrecognizable Aaron Eckhart as trainer Kevin Rooney piques our curiosity. You can see his interplay with Teller’s lead via two new clips below.
Bleed For This will be rolling into theaters across New York and Los Angeles on November 18, before expanding nationwide on November 23. Curious as to how Miles Teller captures the spirit of The Pazmanian Devil? Look no further than our TIFF review.
Bleed for This tells the incredible true story of one of the most inspiring and unlikely comebacks in sports history. Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, was a Providence boxer who shot to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves Vinny with a broken neck, he is told he may never walk again. Against all odds and doctor’s orders, renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) agrees to help Vinny return to the ring just a year after the accident for what could be the last fight of his life.