Showtime premieres new boxing documentary Ringside on June 12

In a recent press release Showtime has announced that it has acquired the rights to award-winning documentary Ringside, which will premiere on the network Friday, June 12 at 8:30pm ET. The documentary is said to chronicle the dramatic upbringing of two young fighters from Chicago, Kenneth Sims Jr. and Destyne Butler Jr., who wind up on different paths over the near-decade the film covers.

“Filmed over the course of nine years, RINGSIDE is a complex, emotional account of two youths fighting to survive both professionally and personally,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “This remarkable film follows two gifted young boxers and the fathers who guide them, as they strive to overcome a seemingly never-ending series of personal and societal obstacles. The result is a moving story about hope, ambition, self-discipline, resilience and redemption. It is this type of provocative story, at the intersection of sports and society, that has become the hallmark of SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films.”

While Sims would amass over 250 amateur fights and win multiple national titles, Butler would end up in a burglary ring and served some time. Following Butler’s release he would get back into the gym, win the Chicago Golden Gloves, and now has an undefeated professional record.

Tune in next month to get a real-life glimpse inside the life of fighters who come from the very bottom.