Anecdotes

Denzel Washington trained for over a year with a boxing coach.

Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter was actually discharged from the military after four court martial incidents (after just 21 months' service).

Denzel Washington lost 60 pounds to play the lead role.

Wesley Snipes and Samuel L. Jackson vied for the lead role.

Denzel Washington and the actors who play his opponents in the ring classify as heavyweights. Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter is 5'8" and 155 pounds, about four inches shorter and nearly 40 pounds lighter than Washington, even after he the slimmed down to play Hurricane.