The Fire Inside ★★★

Most sports dramas focus on training and competition though to tell Claressa “T-Rex” Shields’ (Ryan Destiny) story, the curtain needs to be pulled back and the business behind sports, her family, and her upbringing in Flint, Michigan need to be a significant part of her story. Therefore, when she wins gold at the 2012 London Olympics in women’s boxing, this isn’t the end of the film but rather the start of Claressa’s biggest challenge yet.

Rachel Morrison‘s The Fire Inside begins with Claressa as a child walking into Jason Crutchfield’s (Brian Tyree Henry) gym. She stands outside the ring where Jason is training the boys and follows along with the training. Jason and the boys notice her, and Jason advises her that girls are not allowed to take boxing classes. When Claressa continues along with the lesson anyways, Jason gives in and offers her a chance to fight one of the boys. After a few pointers, Jason sees something in Claressa’s fighting and once she lays a few punches on one of the boys, a seed is planted. Jason becomes curious about women’s boxing and what it would take to train Claressa to become a professional boxer. This curiosity would develop into a life-changing collaboration.

For Claressa, boxing provides an activity and a passion that helps her manage the difficulties that occur in her family life. Claressa’s mother is distant from her and prioritizes her own life and boyfriends over Claressa, one of which abuses Claressa, and Claressa’s father is incarcerated. As Claressa begins to compete professionally, her need to train and desire for success is at odds with living with her mother, and after an argument she moves in with Jason. Jason becomes much more to Claressa than her coach – he becomes her manager and acts as a caretaker, supporting her success inside of and outside of the ring.

But when Claressa travels to compete at the 2012 Olympic qualifiers in China, Jason is unable to travel with her given a lack of funds and the fact that Jason is not credentialed with USA Boxing. Jason and Claressa are outsiders, and Jason emphasizes to Claressa that the opportunity to compete in the Olympics isn’t for her own glory – it is for the overlooked, and it is first and foremost for Flint. When Claressa attends the qualifiers and the Olympics, the contrast between her boxing preparation with Jason and the media appearances, photoshoots, and opportunities that the other boxers have prepared for become evident. Claressa is not media trained, she is confused when she sees another boxer posing for CoverGirl the day of a fight, and she becomes frustrated when it is suggested that she compromise her personality and integrity for the sake of marketability. Claressa is Flint. Claressa is not artificial and manufactured. She refuses to see herself as anything but herself, her grit, and her upbringing. And for that, Claressa is heroic.

However, even after Claressa wins a gold medal, Jason struggles to market Claressa. Jason spends a large amount of time on the phone, leaving voicemails, and crossing off a list of agencies and potential sponsors that he has reached out to for Claressa. His lack of connections is noticed by Claressa and becomes a source of frustration for her. Claressa is well aware of her greatness in boxing, but has found little has changed in her quality of life and the quality of life of her family, which she holds dear to her despite everything. She sees inequalities in how women boxers are paid compared to their male counterparts and recognizes expectations for how women athletes are marketed that she isn’t willing to meet. Claressa continues doing what she does best – boxing – and implicitly challenges narratives and expectations around women’s boxing as an outcome of her success. Claressa would become the world’s most accomplished women’s boxer and slowly chips away at the stigmas and lack of connections that have burdened her.

The Fire Inside is refreshing as a sports drama given that it demonstrates two examples of individuals making a difference – Claressa and Jason. They are self-made and The Fire Inside makes it no secret that perseverance and integrity can overcome disadvantages. The film is a sports underdog story that is genuine and is supported by performances from Ryan Destiny and the criminally underrated Brian Tyree Henry that are equally genuine in portrayal and intention. With all the parts of a thrilling sports film – training montage, intense rivalry, and life-altering competitions – The Fire Inside is sure to be enjoyed and is a worthy introduction to Claressa Shields for those new to women’s boxing.