Shadowboxing

Synopsis

                                                     “SHADOWBOXING”

                                     Written by L.X Mitev and Nelo Rantsho

                           “In the end, all that matters is what we fight for.”  

SHADOWBOXING” is the true story of boxer GEORGE DIXON, the first Black man to win a world championship in any sport. 

Eight year old Dixon is uprooted from his community of   Africville, Nova Scotia and winds up in the cold, racially  charged streets of turn of the century Boston. Of small stature and striking intelligence, George faces challenges at home, school and from neighbourhood bullies. To support his  mother, George finds a job in a local  photography studio.

 Working diligently to balance school, work while watching his back, Dixon discovers JOHN L. SULLIVAN, a swashbuckling Irish-American bare-knuckler, one of the earliest sports icons in American history. George is captivated by boxing, only semi-legal at the time. His natural talent leads to sparring in local gyms. He swiftly graduates to fighting, initially in makeshift rings, as the sport vies for legitimacy and regulation. Dixon soon draws a crowd, captured by his modest height of 5’2” and weight never exceeding 120 pounds, and his reckless willingness to fight anyone, any time.

 Despite the optimism at the dawn of the new century, tensions grow across Boston society. The upwardly mobile Irish are insecure in their new country, and fear, consciously and not, being pushed aside by a steady influx from the South searching for work, stable homes and safe lives. 

 Inevitably, Sullivan’s white supporters and Dixon’s rising cadre of fans incite a vicious cultural divide, as the nascent sport of boxing fights for racial  integration. Against this volatile backdrop, George acquires his first manager, TOM O’ROURKE, a Boston institution. While training with Tom, George meets KITTY O’ROURKE, Tom’s sister and future bride, further complicating the increasing animosity. Reputations grow and so does resulting violence and bloodshed. Undeterred, George sets his sight on the World Championship. Dixon becomes a pioneer of visualization, originating both the heavy bag and the first invention of “shadowboxing”. 

 As George rises in the ranks of boxing, Tom and Kitty are disturbed to discover that George isn’t visualizing his opponents solely during his extensive training.  Increasingly, he sees - and “fights” - both people and spirits who aren’t there. Tragically misunderstood, George is compelled to suffer through brain trauma, ensuing mental illness, and recurrent alcohol dependence, at a time when such things are not spoken of aloud.  

 Against all odds, George and Kitty marry and Tom guides George to ultimate victory and the World Championship. 

 Inspired by one of the most important figures in Canada and United States                                             sports and across all times.