A story covered by World Boxing News in the past gets an Apple TV premiere this month. It documents the tragic tale of Billy Collins Jr.
Marking the upcoming 15th anniversary of its release, ‘Assault in the Ring’ heads to Apple TV, opening up to a much larger audience. WBN launched the same year as the film, and three years later, wrote a story on Collins’ fate. It’s since been one of the most Googled articles on the site.
Apple TV sent a statement on the addition of ‘Assault in the Ring’ to WBN. They said, “The 2010 Emmy Award-winning documentary Assault in the Ring is set for a September 13th release on Apple TV, just in time for the film’s 15th anniversary.
“Directed by investigative filmmaker Eric Drath, Assault in the Ring examines one of boxing’s most tragic and controversial scandals. It documents the outcome tale of a 1983 bout between unbeaten prospect Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto.
“What began as a boxing match turned into a life-altering moment for both fighters as Collins suffered a career-ending injury while Resto and his trainer Panama Lewis landed in prison for their illegal actions.
“The film revisits the scandal that shook the sport of boxing by delving into new evidence tying Resto, Lewis, and others together in the vicious crime.
“Consistently ranked among the best boxing documentaries ever made, Assault in the Ring was produced by Live Star Entertainment. HBO originally distributed it before airing on ESPN and Showtime.”
For any boxing fan, Billy Collins Jr.’s story is a must-watch and something needed in any historian’s library. His plight must live on as a reminder of how cruel our sport can be.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
