The Ring Reviews

John Sturges' RIGHT CROSS (see above) paved the way for this boxing tale exploring prejudice against Mexican-Americans in southern California. Tommy (Lalo Rios) has trouble finding a decent job because of discrimination against "lazy Mexicans," prompting him to try his luck in the ring, under the management of Pete (Gerald Mohr) and over the objections of his family. At first he's successful, but the young man's need to prove himself leads to self-defeat when he begins fighting in matches for which he is undertrained. He quits the ring, only to return after a humiliating scene in a restaurant, where a waitress refuses to serve him because he is Mexican-American. Tommy now believes that boxing is the only way to overcome prejudice and achieve a better life for himself and his girl friend, Lucy (Rita Moreno), but he is severely beaten in a shot at the championship, leading to deep feelings of failure. Finally, Lucy convinces him to carry on his fight outside the ring. The film takes a realist approach both to its story and the fight scenes.