"# Cat out green that could deal with weez' #" "# Homie quick like coupes, 'cause they feel the breeze #" "# And I'm Holly Grove's hear, the hood made me trill #" "# The hottest hot boy, baby, time reveal #" "# And I'm Momma's oldest boy, Papa's first seed #" "# But Papa's not real, he don't bleed what I bleed #" "# I'm nineteen strong, a kid with a kid #" "# And ain't too many people outdid what I did #" "# I rock bricks down, I rock ever town #" "# I puff the best 'Bro, pound for pound #" "# Now say round, the boy tough not bluff #" "# Yeezy weezy, young money squad up #" "# I do this for the penitentiar #" "# I stunt for y'all while I'm spending these dollars #" "# I like cells like four-corner blocks, #" "Knockdown!" "Knockdown!" "Another victory for Sweetwater!" "And now, for your entertainment pleasure... while we get ready for the main event... give it up for the Gat Boyz!" "# You in the ghetto #" "# We ain't got no hustlers here #" "# Get down and give me ten #" "# I don't know what you've been told #" "# I don't know what you've been told #" "# Motheruckin' rock 'n' roll #" "# Motheruckin' rock 'n' roll #" "# Blame it on the bullshit #" "# Blame it on the bullshit #" "# To the north, to the south to the east to the west #" "I saw Louis the night that he beat Braddock... won the title. 1937." "Louis hits him with a left and a right!" "And Braddock is down!" "Straight right hand to the jaw." "Christ, they could've counted to fifty." "He was the best heavyweight... that ever fought under the modern rules." "No discussion, the best." "Then the fucking government chased him about taxes." "Fucking IRS, fucking bureaucrat assholes." "Fuck it." "# I don't know what you've been told #" "# Motheruckin' rock 'n' roll #" "# Motheruckin' rock 'n' roll #" "# Blame it on the bullshit #" "# Blame it on the bullshit #" "# To the north, to the south, to the east, to the west #" "# To the north, to the south, to the east, to the west #" "# To the north, to the south, to the east, to the west #" "# To the north, to the south, to the east, to the west #" "in the west corner, weighing in at 230 pounds... wearing the green trunks with the gold trim... he's undefeated with eight wins and no losses." "Representing the State Prison at Loda... the great white hope, Vern Van Zant!" "# Let me tell you boys who you're messing with #" "Now in the east corner... he's also undefeated and defending champion, with a record of 67 wins and no losses... weighing in at 191 pounds... wearing the burgundy trunks with the black trim..." "Sweetwater's own, Monroe Hutchen!" "All right now, shit birds, y'all both know the rules." "I want a nice, clean fight, nothing below the belt." "You understand me?" "Let's box." "Now remember, brother convicts, if you learned how to act... they wouldn't have to fight inside of a cage." "And be on your best behavior, too... 'cause we don't want no incidents, all right?" "Now, let's see what the pride of Loda... has to offer against the great Monroe." "Give Hitler's cousin his lunch, baby." "It's all you, baby!" "It's all you!" "Yeah!" "Come on now!" "Come back from the rail--get back," "And there go the bell." "Here we go." "Monroe comes out and peppers him, with a nice left hand," "And another left hand," "Monroe's just feeling him out, popping him with a little left hand," "He going to shine that bald head up, for sure," "Move your feet!" "Oh, yeah, that's right!" "Yeah!" "Yeah!" "Beat the teeth out of his mouth, Monroe!" "Come on, man!" "A left and a right by Monroe!" "This guy hasn't tagged Monroe yet," "How in the hell could you be 6-6, 280, and look wobbly already?" "Ooh!" "He's down!" "He's down!" "He's already down!" "Vern Van Zant is down!" "We're not even halfway through the first round, and he's already down!" "Excuse me, sir, we just got some big news." "The word is, the Iceman's day of arrival is tomorrow." "E.T.A., 2 p.m." "Now, Vern Van Zant said he got those... brand-new tattoos just for this occasion." "Well, Vern, don't look like... the parry's gonna last too long for you." "This guy is a bum-- big, uncoordinated motherfucker." "Nine..." "Look at me!" "You OK?" "Box!" "Ah, here we go again!" "Monroe's on the hunt." "Vern, swinging and a-missing," "Ooh!" "And another left, right to the midsection," "Left and right uppercuts to the head!" "Right to the head!" "Right to the stomach," "This guy's just a-swinging and a-missing!" "Hits him with a left and a right!" "Monroe's just tearing his ass up," "Right in the face!" "Right to the head!" "Left to the midsection!" "Right to the head!" "Another left and a right!" "Oh, my God, he shined his head up!" "I told you, he's shinin' it up!" "One more time for Monroe," "Knockout!" "Knockout!" "One round, motherfucker!" "That's it!" "That's it!" "It's done!" "This fight is over!" "Monroe wins again!" "Spit it." "Yeah, but I got a little announcement for you." "Got a little announcement for you." "Little news bulletin." "Y'all been wondering when that day is coming." "Well, that day is tomorrow." "He's coming to Sweetwater." "The so-called undisputed... heavyweight champion of the world..." "George "Iceman" Chambers!" "What do you say to that, Monroe?" "You ready?" "OK, here we go." "Tape rolling." "Former world heavyweight champion," "George "Iceman" Chambers, now you'll be moving to a new home... going to live with murderers and thieves... in California's newly-built..." "Sweetwater Prison in the Mojave Desert." "How's all this going for you?" "I'll be OK." "I got a bad break." "I just gotta play this thing out." "Your lawyers have filed all the expected appeals, but realistically, what do you think of your chances, of getting out before serving, the full sentence of 6 to 8 years?" "I'm not supposed to talk about that legal stuff." "My people don't want me commenting on that." "Boxing experts tend to agree... that even as little as two years in a prison... without proper training could mean the end... for a boxer your age." "Now, you're regarded... as one of the greatest offensive fighters... in the history of the sport... an attacker like Dempsey, Joe Louis," "Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier," "Just exactly how damaging to your skills, is this prison stint likely to be?" "No damage." "I'll stay in shape, work out... watch what I eat." "I'll be fine." "But when an athlete is removed from competition" "That's where you're making one big mistake right off." "I'm not an athlete." "I'm a gladiator." "How do you define that?" "People play baseball." "Nobody plays boxing." "Iceman, last week after you were convicted, boxing's various so-called governing bodies... began stripping you of your title belts... stripping you" "Who they think they kidding?" "Everybody knows I'm the champ." "And I'm gonna be the champ till I quit." "This fight with Manfredy is meant to be, just a tune-up for George "The Iceman" Chambers, hopefully leading to the unification bout, with Montel Briscoe, undefeated holder of the WBC crown," "The two biggest names in boxing on a collision course, sometime next year, assuming the Iceman gets by the South American challenger," "It's round 1 and one to go, and it's all Iceman!" "He's stalking Manfredy, chasing the big South American," "Iceman with a right, another right," "Another right and a left to the body!" "Oh, and a right-hand uppercut, That staggered Manfredy!" "Iceman stalking him, He knows he's got him hurt," "Oh, body shots!" "Right, left to the body!" "Left hook and he's down!" "He's down!" "He's down!" "That's why they call him the Iceman!" "Well, Carlos Manfredy, gets a one-way ticket back to Brazil!" "George "Iceman" Chambers, remains undefeated heavyweight champion!" "And the big man on the block!" "Are you fighting Montel next?" "Just another sucker who's gonna get his ass whipped." "If the money's right, bring on Montel." "Nobody's running, nobody's ducking." "Nobody--l mean, nobody-- can stand up to what I got." "Does that include Montel?" "Oh, yeah, that damn sure includes Montel." "Mr. Lewis!" "Estimates are up to 300 million dollars... for the pay-per-view gate alone." "Any comment on that?" "Let's make the deal first." "But my first guess is you're a few million short." "And, Iceman, it's nine months till summer." "What's next for you?" "Well, first of all, I'm gonna go to L.A... you know, see some friends... then I'm gonna do a little partying." "Hey, hey...that's it." "I've done things in my life... maybe I shouldn't have." "I know that." "But I did not want to, and I told him "No."" "You'll be moving into a new home, going to live with murderers and thieves, in California's newly-built," "Sweetwater Prison in the Mojave Desert," "Without getting into legal strategy, let's discuss your trial." "You continue to maintain your innocence." "I didn't rape nobody." "I done a lot of wrong shit in my life... but I ain't no punk-ass rapist." "Look at me." "What I gotta rape somebody for?" "Psst." "Monroe." "You see him through the window?" "Big deal's got his own helicopter service... instead of coming in here on the bus." "He's the champ." "What's this shit?" "Don't think negative, man." "I don't want to hear that shit." "This is your house." "You own this place." "If this was my house, I could get up and leave." "He's here." "Just getting out of the helicopter." "Maybe you'd like to meet him, Mr. Ripstein." "I could bring him over." "You two could talk boxing." "I'll tell you when I want to talk to him." "Why couldn't your high-priced team of lawyers... convince a judge and a jury?" "Because I put people in body bags on TV... and get paid a lot of money for it." "Because I'm a big, bad, black motherfucker-- that's why nobody believes me." "I have received over 170 requests... for interviews with you, Mr. Chambers." "Networks, local TV, cable... ever newspaper organization in the country... foreign press, foreign TV-- you name it," "I have turned them all down," "Mr. Chambers, here is Sweetwater," "Maximum security, level five... state correctional institution... with nearly seven hundred prisoners." "We house only murderers, armed robbers, rapists, and those with connections to gangs, and other forms of organized crime." "The state is trying to spare lesser criminals... the contaminating influence of these more hardened types." "Now, we don't want any incidents that might add, to your already great difficulties, Mr. Chambers," "This is Mr. Mercker." "He's the senior prison officer, He's the head guard," "This is Ms. Early, our administrative officer." "She can arrange for religious counsel... or instruction, if you wish." "Whatever." "I need a CD player and some CDs." "Now, I'll give you a list." "My people on the outside will pay for it all." "Not possible for the first six months." "It's a privilege, has to be earned." "Any and all privileges, will depend upon your general conduct," "Mr. Chambers, you have been convicted... and sent here for the crime of rape." "That's a very serious mater," "If you'd take advantage, of this opportunity to apologize, to this woman and to sports fans, and the American public for letting them down-- heck, even the former president of the" "Man, fuck the president!" "I ain't apologizing-- not to you, not to her, not to nobody!" "And you lucky I got this damn gate between you and me... or I'd rip you a new asshole, you judgmental motherfucker!" "Another strong athlete in the joint!" "Welcome to Sweetwater, Chambers!" "If you need anything, champ," "I got you covered," "Hey, champ!" "Seen all your fights, man!" "You got a name?" "Mingo." "Mingo, move your shit, stay out of my way... and we'll get along just fine." "Hey, listen." "It's an honor to be cellmates with you." "I don't want no trouble, champ." "No trouble." "You just gonna stay out of my way." "He just thinks he's the king." "Because he's the heavyweight champ, he's the man." "Well, for some of us others, we have rights, too... and I had the right to say no if I didn't want to." "I want everybody to keep your distance." "I don't need to make no new friends... or hear no sad stories on why they're here." "I got my own sad story for that." "I ain't loaning' nobody no money... so you tell 'em don't even ask." "And I don't want nobody talking to me... unless I talk to 'em first." "You got that?" "Got it." ""Leave the champ alone."" "I know boxing." "I seen a lot of fights." "You're a good champeen," "Who the hell are you?" "This is Mendy Ripstein." "He's a very important man in here." "Ripstein," "Yeah, my manager, Yank Lewis, he told me to say hello." "I don't remember him." "He said you two were friends in Miami... about twenty-five years ago." "I didn't have any friends in Miami." "A lot of people, they say they knew me from the old days." "They're full of shit." "You're a good champeen... but we got a champeen right here... and he can kick your ass." "Kiddin' me." "I watch all your fights." "You're not as good as you were." "You're just looking for one big punch." "You're not throwing combinations." "You're not using as much head movement on defense." "Yeah, right, old man." "I'm just knocking motherfuckers out." "Who's the punk in here you got in mind?" "Oh, did I hurt your feelings?" "Fuck you." "Heh." "Monroe." "Name's Monroe Hutchen." "Mr. Ripstein thinks he can whip up on you, man... but no offense." "Not trying to cause any trouble here." "# Hey, yo, it's real in here #" "# All of these contenders know just how it feels in here #" "# When you're trin' to be the top boss #" "# Put your gloves on, then #" "# This here be the sport of men #" "# Everybody wants a shot at me #" "# One word, you get knocked out #" "# Rocked out the box #" "# Only men leave a place like this #" "# Hardcore, I'm in your face like this #" "# Tell your mama that you'll never come home #" "# Tell your mama that you'll never come home #" "Which one of these suckers in here is Monroe Hutchen?" "He's over there in line, wearing a white cap." "What's happening, Mo?" "Yeah." "Brought in some big guys in here." "He beat 'em all." "It ain't only about being big." "You gotta have skill, son." "You Monroe Hutchen?" "Yep." "I guess you know who I am." "Are you the champion in here?" "Yeah." "Not the heavyweight champ." "Champion... heavyweight or any other kind they got." "I didn't even know they had boxing in a place like this." "Well, it's a special program." "We only get bouts ever six months." "Mostly we fight guys from other prisons." "How long you been on top?" "Ten years." "Ever since I got in here." "Damn." "Brother, that's a real fine record you got." "I gotta congratulate you." "Yeah!" "You want some of this?" "Yeah!" "Come on!" "I'm gonna win." "Come on!" "What?" "Ain't no champ in here but me!" "I'm giving you another chance." "I'm inclined to overlook what happened this afternoon, and not make it a par of your official record," "Look, let's get something straight, Mr. Warden." "I'm not just some convict doing five to ten." "I'm a real big deal." "Not only am I heavyweight champ..." "I'm close to being the most famous man in the world." "So if you think you're gonna lean on me... like these punks you got in here... you better think again... because if anything happens to me... it's gonna be on the 6:00 news worldwide." "There's gonna be a whole lot of people... askin' a whole lot of questions... and you and your little crew here better know that." "Just my luck he got sent here." "Iceman, my ass." "He's just another goddamn thug." "One who happens to be a world champion... and a potential public relations nightmare." "Mr. Hutchen." "You know the little problem... you had with the Iceman yesterday?" "Got you in some trouble." "Heavyweight champ." "Man gave me a cheap shot." "Yeah, I know," "By the court and the higher powers, you contributed to a situation that threatened violence." "One thing you ought to know by now, Monroe," "Life ain't fair, Not fair at all," "The warden understands, what he's doing is unfortunate, but unless Mr. Hutchen and the Iceman are separated, there will be enormous pressure, for another physical confrontation," "Nobody likes this... but Mr. Hutchen's presence is an incitement to violence... and he will be kept in there until such time... as we can make arrangements for his travel to another facility." "OK." "Hey, Monroe." "Take care of yourself in there, Monroe." "Sergeant Marinez to the hill tower," "Sergeant Marinez to the hill tower," "Sergeant Marinez to the hill tower," "New duty roster just got posted." "You're working in the kitchen with me." "Look, since we're gonna be stuck together... what you in here for?" "You know, champ, I don't mean to be... telling you what to do or anything, but... it's not considered polite to ask why we're here." "Kinda violation of the ethics." "You know, the code?" "Yeah." "People take it as disrespect." "Yo!" "You keeping in shape, Mr. Iceman?" "Who's this chump?" "Call him Ratbag." "Runs with Monroe." "Shit." "Thinks he's his manager," "Ratbag?" "Ratbag." "OK, Ratbag, what you in here for?" "Me?" "Yeah, you." "Arson." "Nothin' up close and personal." "You hit people much?" "What do you mean?" "You know, punch people." "When you were a kid or since you been in here." "Sometimes." "Not much." "I never was the physical type." "You want to hit me?" "What, are you kidding?" "You can say you did it." ""I punched the heavyweight champ."" "You can tell people all about it." "It might even make you... feel good about your little punk-ass self." "I don't want to hit you, Iceman." "Shit!" "Sure you do!" "You don't even like me." "Come on, man." "Go crazy." "Let one go." "If I hit you just this once, will that end it?" "I won't have to hit you anymore?" "All you gotta do is hit me one time... and I'm telling you, man, it'll make you feel good... and it ain't gonna hurt me none." "Aright." "Just once." "Just to satisfy whatever weird trip you're on... and show you that I'm a good guy... trying to do what you want." "Right." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Unh!" "Ohh!" "Yeah, baby!" "Oh, yeah!" "Yeah!" "I hit the Iceman!" "Yo!" "Yeah!" "Thank you." "You still feel good, Ratbag?" "Yeah." "I guess so." "You're not mad, are you?" "Ohh!" "Damn!" "No, I'm not mad at you." "Now, you go tell Monroe what I said." "Ain't but one champ in here!" "And it ain't some nickel-and-dime convict, beating up on fools in prison!" "Get that bitch outta here." "# Yo, assemble the criminals #" "# With subliminal brought to the forefront #" "# Hey, ain't nobody know I'm in here #" "# Check me, you'll learn to respect me #" "# Homeboy, don't correct me #" "# I'll call you out, step on necks #" "# Man, I'm better, stand over #" "# Took out them cocky, wanna be Rocky #" "# Niggers that ran up from the outside #" "# The inside my metal cell #" "# Who the hell wanna star bitching #" "# Get across in the kitchen #" "# End up in the infirmary #" "# On close watch, talk shit #" "# That ass will get muted #" "# Fuckin' with the undisputed #" "I ain't gotta spend my time makin' potato salad." "Where I come from... we didn't have any kind of salads." "Where's that?" "Indian country." "Oklahoma." "Hmm." "Look, man, I know I'm not supposed to ask... but what you in here for?" "I stole some rich guy's Mercedes in L.A." "I got a Mercedes." "Three of 'em." "Mr. Hutchen." "It's Darlene Early, the G.A.O. General administration officer." "I need to do the interview and paperwork... for your transfer to Folsom." "How are your spirits?" "I want you to know..." "I'm not in favor of solitary confinement." "Not for you, not"