Southpaw isn't technically true, but it is inspired by rapper Eminem. Kurt Sutter even wrote the film with Eminem in mind to play Billy Hope, a spiritual successor/unofficial sequel to 8 Mile.

"Southpaw - The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott," a new edition of ESPN E60, tells the story of Abbott's accomplishment against Cleveland on Sept. 4, 1993, at Yankee Stadium, how the Flint, Michigan ...