RAY MANCINI had a storied and successful career at the top level of boxing.
Since retirement though, he has taken up a very different career, acting.
Mancini was born in Ohio, with his father Lenny also a former boxer.
After a loss in a thrilling battle with all-time great Alexis Arguello in 1981, Mancini won the WBA Lightweight belt in 1982 with a stunning first round stoppage of Arturo Frias.
Mancini made five defenses of the world title between 1982 and 1984, eventually losing his strap to Livingstone Bramble.
His reign as champion included a tragic fight with South Korean fighter Duk Koo Kim.
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Kim sadly died after being stopped in the 14th round, succumbing to his injuries five days later.
The fight led to radical changes to safety in boxing, including shortening title fights from 15 rounds to 12 rounds.
Mancini retired in 1992 after a 34 fight career.
He auditioned for famed director Quentin Tarantino for the 1992 film Reservoir Dogs, reading for the part of Mr Pink and being called back three times (a role that eventually went to Steve Buscemi).
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Mancini told Boxing News in 2024: “An actor knows when he does well or when he stinks the joint out’
“I was right on it.
“Tarantino said to me: ‘That was great, but I can’t give you the role.’ I asked him why and he said: ‘People will sit there and say: ‘That’s ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini’ and it will take away from the film.
“I was angry. I wanted to know why he brought me back three times and he said: ‘I wanted to meet you and thought you would fall flat on your face. But you were great.”
Despite this setback, the former boxer has since appeared over 30 movies.
He created his own production company, which he created so that he “would always get a good role.”
He has also appeared in The Good Son, a documentary about his life and career, featuring contributions from actors Mickey Rourke and Ed O’Neill.
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