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Documentary that explores the world of boxing through the story of prison boxer Clifford Etienne. Etienne overcame the odds and fought his way to freedom, eventually becoming a top heavyweight boxing contender. Serving 10 years for armed robbery, Etienne transformed himself in prison by embracing the discipline and training necessary to compete in prison boxing. Underscoring the distance between where Etienne has come from and where his is now, the program juxtaposes his transformation with the stories of other inmates who are currently behind bars.
FOOTNOTE: Cliff Etienne took up boxing while serving a 40 year prison sentence for armed robbery and won the state prison boxing championship. While in prison he was a member of the "Gunslingers" prison boxing team in Louisiana and reportedly had an 30-0 prison record. He was released on good behavior after serving 10 years. **On August 11, 2005, Fightnews.com reported Etienne's ring career likely over with the following story:
Well known heavyweight Clifford Etienne was arrested Wednesday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and the attempted murder of a police officer. Etienne allegedly robbed a local business, car-jacked a vehicle containing a woman and her children, then pulled a gun on police officers. He is being held in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with a $70,000 bond.
On June 22, 2006, following his trial in Baton Rouge, Etienne was found guilty and sentenced to 150 years in prison without parole for a cocaine fueled crime spree that included robbing a check cashing business, carjacking and kidnapping a family, and attempting to shoot two policemen. |
