When he hits rock bottom he turns to his childhood boxing club and the only family he has left: gym owner Bill (Ray Winstone), cornerman Eddie (Michael Smiley) and promoter Joe (Ian McShane). Back in training, years after anyone thought he was a contender, he will risk his life to stand tall and to regain his place in the world.

A valuable addition to the boxing genre, this is also a potent and cliché free film about addiction and redemption.

Michael Smiley is, as ever, terrific. The score is by Paul Weller and the boxing sequences were choreographed by Barry McGuigan.