01x07 - Chicken, Chicken

[bunniefuu]

This story is inspired by real events.

The people and events shown
are made up for artistic purposes.

Any similarity to reality
is purely coincidental.

ARGENTINEAN CONSULATE

[in Spanish] Mr. Bonavena.

Come in, please.

[in English]
Now that you have your passport,

I think you should go back
to Buenos Aires.

It's for the best.

You have no idea what they're capable of.

Get to Reno, buy the ticket,
and that's that.

[car approaching]

[tires screech]

[engine revs]

[tires screech]

Come on, Sally!

Promise me
you won't go back to the Mustang Ranch.

[car door closes]

[tires screech]

"I WANT TO TELL EVERYONE

THAT I LOST
BECAUSE I WANTED TO WIN."

[guitar plays]

[singer] Are you ready

for an unforgettable evening?

-Yeah!
-Yeah!

Ready to hear the best

rhythm and blues band
in the whole damn USA?

-Yeah!
-Yeah!

I see a lotta losers came out tonight.

Hey, Jim!

You didn't tell me that Thursday
was "Loser Night" at your place.

-[crowd laughs]
-[singer laughs]

But there is one very special loser

to whom I wanna dedicate this next track.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Give it up for

Ringo Bonavena.

[crowd applauds, cheers]

Muhammad Ali's next victim.

Ah!

Ringo, may the Lord have mercy
on your soul

because the next song I'm gonna sing you
will be a gospel at your funeral,

the day after the fight.

[guitar continues playing]

♪ I woke up to
The morning sky first ♪

♪ Baby blue, just like we rehearsed ♪

♪ When I get up off this ground
I shake leaves back down ♪

♪ To the brown, brown, brown
Till I'm clean ♪

Faster with the jab. There!

One, two! One, two! There we go! Good!

Good! That's it!

[singer] ♪ Then I walk
Where I'd be shaded by the trees ♪

One, two! One, two! One, two!

You're too slow, Ringo!

Move your feet, Ringo!

Come on, Oscar!
You gotta be quicker than that!

He's the toughest fighter
you've ever fought.

You gotta be tougher than that! Come on!
You gotta be quicker than that! Tougher!

You're stuck in the ground.

Move your feet. You gotta balance.
You gotta move to the rhythm.

He's a tough fighter.

[in Spanish] This is for your protection.

And this is so you don't have to eat
that sh*t those weirdos give you.

Mom.

[in English] ♪ It's a good day to be ♪

♪ It's a good day for me ♪

♪ A good day to see
My favorite colors ♪

[crowd laughs, cheers]

♪ My sisters and my brothers ♪

♪ They see 'em like no other ♪

♪ All my favorite colors ♪

Guard! Move your feet! That's it!

Put your back into that jab!

Come on!
My sister does a better job than you!

-[grunts]
-Time!

[grunts, pants]

Good job, Oscar. Good job.

[in Spanish] To think that the first time
I came to this city, I was a dishwasher,

and now I'm going to fight Ali.

-Plus they're paying you like $100,000.
-Well, yeah.

Convert that to pesos.

The seasoned Tito Lectoure
comes out fighting with a left jab

-looking for an opening with the right.
-Move!

The young man slides
to the brink of a knockout,

only a miracle could save him.

A miracle, or his famous friend.

[Vicente] Left!

-[singing continues]
-[crowd cheers]

[trainer] Come on! Harder than that!

Harder than that! One more. That's it.

You need to be stronger.

[in Spanish] That cheating gringo is gonna
make him break his hand before the fight.

There's nothing we can do,
Oscar asked for him.

And what the f*ck did we come for?

[trainer] One more! I know it hurts!

Work through the pain!

One, two! That's it!

One, two! Harder than that!

[crowd cheers]

♪ All my favorite colors ♪

♪ All my favorite colors, yeah ♪

♪ My sisters and my brothers
See 'em like no other ♪

♪ All my favorite colors ♪

[in Spanish]
Adrianita, my love, look at me.

Take a good look,
'cause you'll never see me like this.

Your dad will never be old.

[in English]
♪ My sisters and my brothers ♪

♪ They see 'em like no other ♪

[shouts, laughs]

♪ All my favorite colors ♪

[trainer] Time!

That's it!

[crowd applauds, chattering]

[birds chirping, singing]

-[in Spanish] Give me a puff.
-Ringo.

Never mind.

Have you thought of some hubbub
to promote the fight?

Anything but fireworks,
'cause here they'll throw you in jail, eh?

No, Rolito. No circus this time.

All I'm thinking about is the plan
I'm building with Clancy, that's it.

He already laid into me
about that fire extinguisher sh*t.

You're right.

Although…

[hits ball]

…there could be a some little surprise.

[both chuckle]

Excuse me, Rolo,
I need Oscar for a minute.

Yeah.

What's up?

A problem with Bautista.

What are you doing, coach?

Making a roast.
Can't you see what I'm doing?

Packing my bags. I'm leaving.

-[Ringo] Leaving for where?
-I'm getting out of here.

Back to Buenos Aires.
I can't take it anymore.

You can't do this to me right now.

You have the American,
who, in your mind, knows it all.

He's from here, he knows the environment,
he knows every one of Ali's tricks.

You know that's important.

Just as important as having you guys
in my corner on fight day.

[Bautista] To pass you your water?

To clean your mouth guard?

Why didn't you tell us ahead of time?

Bautista, don't be like this, please.

We're all part of the team here.

We're all important.

[Juan] Now you want to kiss our asses?

You think my brother and I are idiots?

That we don't realize
that Clancy was your idea?

Who said anything to you?

This is not a fight at Huracán Stadium
against some guy from the hood.

You know nothing about winning big,
here or in Europe for the world title.

-I'm going to kick your a*s, m*therf*cker.
-[Ringo] Hey, Juan. Hey!

Hey! Stop! What's happening,
have you all lost your minds?

Hey! Enough! Enough!

Don't do this to me right now, please.

I don't know if I have much of a chance
of beating Ali,

but if we're fighting among ourselves,
I definitely have none.

-I'm sorry, Juan.
-Suck my d*ck.

[wind whistling]

[in English] You may place your bet.

Eighteen.

Too many.

Mr. Bonavena, you've got a call.

Yes?

[in Spanish] Hey, Ringo!

Has it been a good night?

I'm sure it has.

We're all here.

[echoing] And Joe is here too.

The weather is good.

[Tracy continues, indistinct]

Goodbye.

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Ringo] Hi.

Did I wake you?

No, it's 10:00 a.m. here.

[huffs]

Where are you?

I couldn't sleep.

What are you all doing?

Just thinking about
going to your mom's thing.

Little Ringo is unbearable.

Are you okay?

I wanted to tell you
I'll be there on Monday.

How come, all of a sudden?

I'm taking care of a few things
and then I'm coming.

I'll be there
just in time for your birthday, you know?

I was thinking of bringing you
some really pretty candles I saw,

but I don't think I can afford 60 of them.

You jerk!

We can order food
at the café on the corner,

some really cold bottles
of imported champagne

none of that national sh*t
that your friends drink.

All right, Oscar.

Get back here
and stop being a pain in the a*s.

As soon as I get the contract back
I'll get on the plane.

What do you mean "get it back"?

Dora,

take good care of the kids…

and take care of yourself.

Oscar.

[elevator dinging]

[elevator dings]

[crowd chattering]

BONAVENA vs MUHAMMAD ALI
OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

[chattering continues]

[Ringo, in English]
Why you not go in the army? You chicken?

-[anchor] The boxers…
-[Ali] Just say that one more time.

Say that one more time.

[Ringo] Why you not go the army?

Why you not go in the army?

I'm gonna tell you Monday night
in the first clinch we get in.

[scoffs] Chicken.
You're a chicken. [imitates chicken]

-Good deal. Keep talking.
-[laughing]

[Ali] Keep talking.

I'm gonna punish you.
You will be punished.

Commissioner,
will you get up for one minute?

-[Ringuito shouts]
-[Ali] Keep talking Monday night.

[Oscar] We're on television.

[Ali] Keep talking.

[in Spanish] Yes.

[anchor, in English]
What kind of surprise is this?

[in Spanish] What surprise
do you have for him?

Many.

-[in English] Too much.
-Many, many surprises.

[Dora, Dominga] Ooh.

[Ali] He will have to fight.

Bonavena - Ali, Official Weigh-in.

-[Oscar] And I will.
-[commentator] The pre-fight…

[crowd chattering]

You put the hand. You put the hand.

[crowd laughs]

Don't touch.

No touching.

[crowd chatters, laughs]

[all shout, laugh]

[laughing]

[helicopter whirring]

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
DECEMBER 7, 1970

[in Spanish] You know something?

You were right.

About what?

You're the best Argentinean boxer.

[laughs]

The only thing I ask
is that you enjoy every second.

You're about to make your dream come true,
and a whole country's.

Tito,

thank you for everything.

[chuckles]

Do you remember the first time you came
to the Huracán gym?

Of all the boxers,
all those great, athletic, hard-hitters,

the only one who made it here was you.

The flat-footed kid.

The most handsome of all.

[sighs] You have nothing to lose.

He does.

Hold out.

Hold out.

Hold out, hmm?

Are you idiots?
You put me in San Lorenzo colors.

Come on, Titi, eh?

Like Dad used to say,

"Money and fear
are two things we never had."

Endure it, Oscar, all right?

-Endure it.
-[Ringo chuckles]

[Ringo breathes deeply]

We're from the hood called La Quema,

the hood of Ringo Bonavena.

[heartbeat thumping]

[crowd cheers in distance]

[heartbeat continues]

[tires screech]

[birds squawk]

[breathes deeply]

[door buzzes]

[buzzing continues]

[buzzing continues]

[in English] It's Ringo.

[buzzing continues]

[in Spanish] Hey!

Hey!

[in English] Come on! Open up!

Come on.

I just want to talk with Joe!

Come on. Open the f*cking door!

Come on, I just want my contract back.

And I go back to Argentina.

Okay? I don't want any trouble. Please.

[in Spanish] Open the door, come on,
you old cuckold! f*cking hell!

[pants] Hey!

-[grunts]
-[door rattles]

[in English] Come on!

Come on, open up!

Come on, I don't want problems, please.

Vinnie.

Joe, I know you're there!

Sally, please!

-Tracy, I know you're there! Come on!
-Girls, go inside. Nothing to see here.

Go inside.

[in Spanish] Hey!

Hey!

-Hey.
-Ringo.

[in English] Please, keep it down.

Vinnie, please, let me in.

I just wanna talk with Joe, eh?
And you won't see me no more.

Keep your voice down.
We still have customers inside.

[pants]

I just want my contract back.

I'll go back to Argentina
with my family, please.

[Vinnie] Joe won't see you.

Why he doesn't want to see me?

You know very well why he won't see you.

Listen, do me a favor. Get your sh*t
together and get the f*ck out of here.

Okay?

I just wanna talk with him face to face.

He's a coward.

He's a coward. He sent Tracy call me.
[chuckles]

-I gotta go in.
-He's a f*cking coward!

You leave,
or there's gonna be big trouble.

[Ringo] Vinnie, please. You're my friend!

Please.

You promised me a fight with Ali!

You lied to me!
I knew that you were lying, Joe!

Come on!

[sniffs]

[Ringo, in Spanish] Open up, f*ck!

What is it, you scared of me? Huh?

[crowd cheering]

[in English] And now,

for the thousands of fans who came out

and the millions around the world

who wish they could be here,

ladies and gentlemen,

you are gonna witness

a clash of the titans tonight.

Introducing, from South America,

he's wearing blue trunks, he weighs 204.

The heavyweight champion of South America,

Oscar "Ringo" Bonavena!

[crowd cheers]

[in Spanish] Let's go, Oscar!

[cheering continues]

[cheering continues]

[presenter, in English]
His opponent, from Louisville, Kentucky…

he's wearing red trunks,

he weighs 212 pounds…

the return of the champion,

Muhammad Ali!

[crowd cheers]

The crowd roars ecstatically.

Only Muhammad Ali can ignite
this kind of passion.

It's his second fight in six weeks.

-And his first fight in New York City…
-[in Spanish] Let's go.

[announcer 3 speaking French]

…not only called his rival Clay,
something Ali hates, but also called him…

[announcer 1] Bonavena enters the fight

as the WBA's
number one ranked heavyweight contender.

He knocked Frazier down twice

in the second round of their first fight,

but he eventually lost by split decision.

I'm gonna f*cking k*ll you,
you f*cking son of a b*tch!

Many would agree with me
that Bonavena is a tough opponent.

He's definitely one of the most remarkable
heavyweights we have around today.

Gil Clancy is working with Oscar
for tonight's fight.

[announcer 4] If you ask me,

I think
Bonavena will attack Ali right away.

First, he'll feign to the right.
Then, he'll use the left.

It'll be the fight of his life.

[announcer 5 speaking German]

[groans]

[bird chirping]

[crowd cheers]

[referee] Let's have a clean fight.

Protect yourselves at all times
and follow my instructions.

You can touch gloves.

Go back to your corners.

-[bell chimes]
-[cheering continues]

[heartbeat thumping]

[g*nsh*t]

AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH,

OSCAR "RINGO" BONAVENA
WAS 33 YEARS OLD.

BONAVENA m*rder*d

FOR THE FIRST TIME
SINCE THE START OF

THE 1976
MILITARY DICTATORSHIP,

A CROWD TOOK TO THE STREETS
TO WALK THEIR IDOL HOME.

MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE
SAID GOODBYE

TO RINGO'S REMAINS AT LUNA PARK.

AFTER RINGO'S DEATH,

SHE VISITED BUENOS AIRES
AND MET WITH DORA

OFFERING HER EDUCATION
FOR HER CHILDREN

AND AN APARTMENT IN THE US,
IN EXCHANGE FOR NOT SUING THEM.

IN 1977, SHE FILED SUIT
AGAINST JOE CONFORTE.

THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT RESULT

IN AN INDICTMENT
FOR RINGO'S m*rder,

BUT IT DID EXPOSE TAX EVASION

THAT FORCED CONFORTE
TO SELL THE MUSTANG

AND LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

IN 1981, HE ESCAPED TO BRAZIL,

WHERE HE OPENED RESTAURANTS
AND NIGHTCLUBS.

ON VACATION WITH HER CHILDREN,

DORA UNKNOWINGLY ATE
AT ONE OF THEM.

SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS
IN NEVADA STATE PRISON

AFTER HE WAS FOUND GUILTY
OF RINGO'S m*rder.

HE WALKED FREE A YEAR
AND A HALF LATER

WITH A $50,000 BOND
PAID BY JOE CONFORTE.

THE ALI-BONAVENA FIGHT

HELD THE RECORD FOR RATINGS
IN ARGENTINA

WITH RATINGS OF 79.3.

THIS WAS ONLY SURPASSED
YEARS LATER

BY THE ARGENTINEAN
NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM.

ALI HAD SAID,
"BEFORE ROUND NINE IS OUT

THE REFEREE WILL JUMP
AND SHOUT

'THAT'S ALL FOLKS,
THIS TURKEY IS OUT.'"

IN ROUND NINE,
RINGO HIT HIM SEVERAL TIMES

WITH STRONG LEFT HOOKS,
SHAKING UP HIS RIVAL.

IN THE FIFTEENTH ROUND,
ALI WON BY TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT

WHEN RINGO, GIVING HIS ALL,
FELL FOR THE THIRD TIME.

AS HE WALKED
TO THE DRESSING ROOM

WITH SWOLLEN EYES
AND SPLIT EYEBROWS,

RINGO EXCLAIMED,
"I WAS HANDSOME, HUH?"

[Tracy sobs] No! No! [crying]

RINGO
CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE