Magic Man (2007), 80 min. Tammy Leach, dir.

Magic Man traces Paul Malignaggi’s life from his experiences of paternal cruelty and abandonment to his peripatetic childhood in Brooklyn and Sicily. His successful career began at the legendary Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn when he discovered boxing as a young man. The film’s dramatic climax is Malignaggi’s 2006 training for and ultimate defeat in the world championship bout against Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden, and concludes with his successful world welterweight title match against Lovemore N’Dou the following year. Malignaggi’s loquacity and tenacity make him not an only champion fighter but also a particularly appealing film subject.

Post-screening discussion with the producer Lou DiBella led by Anthony Julian Tamburri, Calandra Institute.