Synopsis/Details
23-year-old “Mean” Marcus Green is one of the city's top amateur boxers, yet an extensive past of physical and emotional abuse issued to himself and his mother by her ex-boyfriend is a hindrance to his full potential. However, his sights remain on the state's Golden Gloves championship as he battles through the ranks.
A roller coaster of dark emotions hit the young man as he trains for the coveted title, inducing quarrels with family members and his own girlfriend. His goals are soon brought back into focus when the shoddy gym owner, who illegally bets money on amateur bouts, threatens to tear down the local gym. Marcus must now make a bet on himself, win the championship and the deed to the gym for the sake of the neighborhood kids.
But all is not well in Marcus’ forever challenging world as it is tarnished even further when his tormentor, and former heavyweight boxing champ, Clarence "The Black Beast" Barker, after a 15-year stint, is released from prison. A confrontation between the two brings back unsavory memories of the past.
Now, on the last day of the 4-day tournament, Marcus, now a finalist, must choose to either go for his dream in the championship fight or face his nightmare and darkest challenge once and for all at his tormentor's own boxing gym.
Whichever he decides, he'll need the skills he's learned over the years and his family in his corner if he wants to come out on top.
This is a powerful study of the struggles with PTSD one faces due to an abusive childhood and how facing one's demons head on brings solace.
