Original subtitles

Arliss (narrating): For most of us,

the dream of becoming a champion

remains a fantasy.

But for a special few,

it is very much a reality.

We cheer them.

We live through them.

Athletes are our last warriors.

My job is to make their dreams come true.

My name is Arliss Michaels.

I represent athletes.

These are my stories.

♪ Don't know what it is that makes me love you so ♪

♪ I only know I never wanna let you go ♪

♪ 'Cause you started something, oh, can't you see ♪

♪ That ever since we met you had a hold on me ♪

♪ It happens to be true ♪

♪ I only wanna be with you ♪

♪ I just wanna be beside you everywhere ♪

♪ As long as we're together, honey, I don't care ♪

♪ 'Cause you started something, oh, can't you see ♪

♪ That ever since we met you had a hold on me ♪

♪ No matter what you do ♪

♪ I only wanna be with you ♪

♪ ♪

Hi, and welcome to "Jock Chat." Thanks for joining us.

Our guest on today's program:

middleweight champion Sucre Rey Santos.

Arguably one of the most popular athletes in the entire world,

and it's nice to have both you and your wife on the show with us.

And with the success you've had,

the passion with which you fight,

what is your motivation?

I fight, not for myself.

I fight for the Guatemalan people.

Just go look at my house.

It was built by Guatemalans.

All the art on the walls is Guatemalan.

Everything about me is Guatemalan.

- Right, Candy? - (giggles)

Must be from the Guatemalan Valley.

Quiet.

Arliss (narrating): People wonder exactly what it is sports agents do.

My job is to cover every contingency,

so that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Nowhere is this more critical than in the world of boxing.

I first met Rey Santos

when he was fighting in the Olympics

for his beloved country.

(crowd cheering)

Though he lost in a controversial decision,

he won the hearts of his people.

(crowd booing)

(singing Guatemalan national anthem)

Arliss (narrating): Sucre Rey turned a minus into a plus.

Impressed, I became his agent,

vowing to help him achieve his goal:

to be champion of the world.

It's time to tango!

(bell dings)

Arliss (narrating): He avenged his only loss

by battling his way up the ladder,

gaining a reputation for style,

and the nickname "The Guatemalan Gentleman."

Please! I beg you, stop this!

No?

Please! I beseech you!

Okay!

Arliss (narrating): Finally, he achieved his goal.

Whoo!

- Viva Guatemala! - Viva Guatemala!

Arliss (narrating): Now champion, he stood for clean living

and pride in his native land.

- Guatemala! - Guatemala!

Arliss (narrating): He was a Guatemalan icon.

The most beloved figure in the third world.

(grunting)

Then, a new challenger from Guatemala

burst upon the scene.

He was young, wild...

- and dangerous. - Yeah!

His name was Lupe Ochonez,

but he was known far and wide as "Cojones Ochonez."

Sucre Rey?!

Lárguense todos.

Go on!

Arliss (narrating): He was an untamed lethal maverick.

A bout between him and Santos

would be the ultimate struggle for machismo.

The payoff would be astronomical.

There was only one obstacle.

Sucre Rey wouldn't fight him.

This is the fight the people want to see.

No fight has been more anticipated

than the Ochonez-Santos match.

So, why isn't it gonna happen?

A warrior should have a hero's soul.

This man is not worthy to be champion!

Arliss (narrating): You had to be impressed with Rey's integrity.

Shit!

Arliss (narrating): I knew his pride wouldn't allow him to take the fight

so it appeared it was not to be.

But then, fate intervened.

(muttering in Spanish)

What's going on here?

My man wants to say something to your man.

Oye puta!

(speaks Spanish)

(speaks Spanish)

(speaks English)

Chinga tu madre!

- Chinga tu madre?! - Chinga tu madre?

You want your fight?

You shall have it!

Guys! Guys! Watch it!

Interviewer: Somebody get security.

- Somebody call security. - Where's security?

Arliss: Get me security!

Arliss, careful! That's your best suit!

How did this happen?! How'd this happen?

- Hey, hey, back off! - You want a piece of me?

You gettin' all of this? You're gettin' all of this, right?

Arliss: You know, I must have good karma.

Rita: Good karma?

Here I am, trying to set this fight for years,

and suddenly, it just falls into my lap.

- Good karma. - Good karma.

Well then, Maharishi,

I guess now is as good a time as any

to ask you for a raise.

A what?

A raise, you know. More money.

Sharing a good fortune is the best way

to ensure more good karma.

How much good fortune?

Well, I was thinking about $200 a week?

$200 a week? That's a hefty raise.

And it's been two years since I've had one.

That soon?

- Aren't I worth it? - (neck cracks)

Absolutely.

But you've come at a bad time.

(neck cracks)

We're still operating under last year's budget.

Haven't I taught you that the best time to negotiate

is at the beginning of the new fiscal year?

Just give me the bottom line.

My projections show that the Santos-Ochonez bout

will the highest-grossing prize fight in history.

Tickets will start at $5,000 for ringside.

$5,000 a piece?

(exhales sharply) They've already sold out.

The casinos gobble them up

and give 'em to their high rollers.

What about the average fan?

I saved a few seats at $500.

Good. 'Cause we can't forget about the little guy.

How are we doing on ancillary markets?

Phone's been ringing off the hook.

We have tie-in interest with everyone from Taco Bell

to Pac Bell.

Naturally, every celebrity in Hollywood wants one.

- Comped, of course. - Of course.

All in all, we're looking at a possible $80 million gate.

Meaning for AMM?

Somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 million.

Eight million bucks?

- That's a hell of a neighborhood. - Boss!

What are you gonna do with all that money?

(Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" playing)

(sighs deeply)

The Gulfstream Three.

The creme de la creme of private transportation.

A truly magnificent airplane.

Now, what are you asking for her?

Normally $14 million,

but certain international events

dictate that I offer to part with her

for the ridiculously low sum of $10 million.

$10 million.

That is ridiculous!

Alas, I didn't bring that much cash with me.

Usually we carry it, but we just got back from Disneyland.

Perhaps you would wire a deposit?

Say $2 million?

Non-refundable, of course.

A non-refundable $2 million deposit.

(sighs) You know, I'm afraid I'm just not...

Before you answer,

why don't you take a look around inside?

♪ ♪

(Arliss snickering)

(toilet flushes)

Arliss!

Ooh! Take a look at this!

Hey, hey, hey, just be very careful! Don't touch anything!

You break it, you buy it!

Look, ordinarily, I wouldn't put my two cents in,

but I gotta tell ya.

This is a bargain!

At $10 million? It's a steal!

Maybe we should buy two.

But, Boss, I mean, it's...

Whew!

It's a great plane!

It's a Gulfstream!

You can't get cold feet now.

Kirby...

I know it's a great plane.

But I didn't get where I am by being fiscally irresponsible.

Maybe with the owners' money but not with mine.

You remember that classic Tom Cruise movie?

"Risky Business"?

Classic, yes. From the Golden Age of Cinema, 1982.

You are Tom Cruise!

I'm Tom Cruise?

You know, whenever Tom had a decision to make,

he would say,

"What the fuck!"

Well, that's what you gotta say.

What the fuck!

Kirby, Kirby...

Look at this.

You belong here.

So what? It's two mill down.

I mean, listen to what Stanley said.

The fight's gonna take in at least $8 million.

That covers it!

I do look good, don't I?

Good?!

You're Tom Cruise!

I'm Tom Cruise?

- What the fuck? - Were you thinking?!

It is a totally justifiable business expense.

(scoffs) You can't give me a $200 raise,

but you can spend millions on an airplane?

(stammering) It is not an airplane!

It is a Gulfstream.

The creme de la creme of private aviation.

It makes a statement!

Oh, yeah, and it's saying...

you are an asshole.

Rita, did you ever see the movie "Risky Business"?

What?

I'm Tom Cruise.

(scoffs)

Well, yeah, it must be Tom Cruise

from "Interview With A Vampire."

Because you suck.

Stanley: It's all done!

I wired the Sheik the deposit.

Balance is due 30 days after the fight.

I...

I feel...

♪ I feel pretty ♪

♪ Oh, so pretty ♪

♪ I feel pretty and witty and gay ♪

Kirby: Boss?

♪ ♪

Um...

Reporter: As you can see on this tape,

Ochonez is out of control.

Again, for those just tuning in,

Lupe Cojones Ochonez was arrested today

for drug possession and assault,

earlier in Lodi, California.

Charges have been brought against Ochonez,

and we understand he's being held without bail.

This puts the upcoming Ochonez-Sucre Rey Santos bout

in jeopardy.

It's gotta be a set-up!

Ochonez (on TV): Fuck you!

It'll probably be thrown out before the judge can say...

Guilty.

I hereby sentence you to serve no less than five years

in the State Penitentiary.

Two...

million...

dollars.

Non-refundable.

How did I allow this to happen?

I guess now isn't a good time

to bring up that raise, is it, Mr. Cruise?

Leave me alone.

Leave me.

Let me wallow.

Rita: Wallow away.

(whispering) He's just right over there.

Oh, Rey. Rey, I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

Arliss, do not feel bad.

It is a judgment from above.

He's being punished by God.

But why did he have to include me?

What did I do?

Kirby: Hey, boss.

Here's a copy of that wire transfer for your files.

Oh, good, I'll put this right next to my Crazy Eddie stock.

Kirby: Hey, Rey.

Sorry about Ochonez.

Do not be!

Yeah, I-I wouldn't pay any attention to what he's been saying.

What did he say?

Oh, Rey, Rey. As your friend, whatever it is, forget it.

No, you tell me!

Well, he's been saying that, um...

your mother's not really from Guatemala,

but that she's from Suriname.

Suriname?

Where the hell is Suriname?

That pig!

Maybe you don't see the anti-Guatemalan

sentiment around the world, but we do!

You know, this... This guy Ochonez

is really starting to piss me off!

You know, part of me wishes you could just go into prison

and just kick the shit out of him!

Rey: Si!

A prison should not be a sanctuary from justice.

Yes, yes!

I agree. He must be stopped.

But how?

Behind prison walls, he is safe to tell his lies.

There must be a way to teach him the lesson he deserves.

Yes! There must be.

But how?!

The only way would be

to actually put the fight on in prison.

(scoffs) Forget that idea!

Wait a minute. What if you could?

Could what?

What if you could set the fight up in prison?

You're not serious!

Kirby: That's ridiculous!

That is the stupidest idea I've ever heard!

Kirby! Kirby! Kirby! Kirby...

the man's in pain.

Let him vent.

You have an expression here, don't you?

If you can't bring the people to the party,

then you bring the party to the people.

I can't believe I'm hearing this.

Are you truly that daring?

I'd fight him anytime, anywhere!

That man has not just disgraced me,

he has disgraced the Guatemalan people.

You set up the fight!

I will go to prison.

Arliss (narrating): At that moment, I wished all my clients were like him.

Still, there were those who said...

Bullshit. I don't care what you say.

I'm the warden here,

and it's not gonna happen in my prison.

I've got 500 convicted animals in here.

My point entirely!

So why not showcase what a sterling job you've done

crowding them all in together, huh?

The answer is no.

You could set precedent!

(alarm buzzes)

Goes against everything this country stands for.

When you go to prison,

you don't get to go on television.

What are you talkin' about?

Manson's just about got a recurring role on "American Justice."

Mister, this is a corrections facility.

It's not Caesar's Palace,

and unless you can get me a signed order from the governor,

you can kiss this half-assed idea of yours goodbye.

♪ ♪

Now, let me get this straight.

You want me to allow a convicted felon to fight for money.

I'm saying, look at it from Rey's point of view.

We owe it to him.

To his country.

To his people.

Arliss, aside from the fact that it's immoral,

unethical and contrary to every principle of the judicial system,

can you give me one good reason why I should allow this?

And the Latino population that so desperately wants to see this fight

represents 23% of the voting public.

♪ ♪

Ah, what the hell.

They kick me out of here...

(pen scribbling)

there's always Washington.

Governor...

speaking not for myself,

but for all boxing fans...

thank you.

(cell phone rings)

Excuse me.

What's that? Press already?

(laughing)

Hey, let me ask you a question.

What kinda plane do you use?

Oh, Gulfstream.

Gulfstream. And do you like it?

Oh, I love it. Especially the way it lands.

-Yeah. -And the takeoffs. Now, the way they go up...

(Rita clears throat) Excuse me.

(mouths)

What?

He wants to renegotiate!

Cojones wants to renegotiate?

The man is serving five to seven years.

What does he want to renegotiate? The calendar?

My man feels that since he can't spend the money,

he needs to have some sort of reconstruction of his deal.

What kind of reconstruction?

My client demands a private cell!

Private cell? No way.

Well, then he don't fight.

Fine, to hell with him.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait, wait, wait.

What's he serving? Five to seven?

Uh, which means...

He could get off in three with good behavior.

Okay, then what about if he gets a private cell for three years now,

and then we defer three years till next time?

Agreed? Agreed?

Okay, next.

My client demands a dish.

- A what? - Spider: A dish!

What kind of dish?

A satellite dish.

They ain't hooked up for cable.

There's no way we're gonna give a convict a satellite dish.

Wait, wait, wait. You just heard him. They're not hooked up for cable!

Okay.

Anything else?

My client demands that the prison laundry

start using a fabric softener.

A fabric softener?

He says the detergent they use chafes.

Oh, this is outrageous!

- That's what he says! - Okay! Wait, wait, wait!

And if he gets a fabric softener,

then what's he gonna say?

I'm gonna do to him...

what society did to me!

This is not just for me.

It's for my people.

Announcer: The Battle in the Big House.

And the only safe seat is on HBO.

(bell dings)

Arliss (narrating): Sucre Rey trained harder than ever.

He was focused.

Possessed.

A man on a mission.

Ochonez, too, trained with a fire in his belly.

(belches)

Writing a guest column for "USA Today."

I'm going to shit-fuck him up.

(laughs) And I'm gonna bust in his face open

so it looks like his culo. (laughing)

And then, I'm gonna break his nose,

crack his skull like an egg,

and eat his brains.

(laughing)

Are you getting this?

Arliss (narrating): Public interest skyrocketed.

But was this a fight about merchandising,

or trinket sales?

No, this was a fight about pride,

and patriotism.

(clippers buzzing)

Everyone got into the spirit of the evening.

Scalpers had a field day.

Next!

Next.

Alright. Bend over, spread your cheeks,

and give me two good coughs, Mr. Goldthwait.

(coughs)

(high-pitched droning)

Uh, it's... it's my wife's watch.

It's a... it's a long story.

Okay.

Next!

Hello again, I'm Jim Lampley.

Welcome to the Battle in the Big House

between Sucre Rey Santos

and Lupe Cojones Ochonez.

To say this is an unusual venue

is an understatement.

But what a privilege for me to be working with Al Bernstein.

Al, great to be with you,

and there's a lot of excitement here.

There is for sure.

I was talking to some of the lifers, Jim,

and they said they haven't seen this much activity

since before Miranda.

Lampley: For sure.

Alright, both fighters ready to enter the ring.

Let's get a look.

Bernstein: Well, Ochonez is never known

as a shy boxer, that's for sure.

And he's showing us here,

he's about as fired up as he can get.

And Sucre Rey, he wants his revenge.

Lampley: Looks to be in terrific shape, Al.

It's time to tango!

Lampley: And here come the fighters into the ring.

Boy, you can see, Al, that despite the confining circumstances,

Ochonez and Sucre Rey are both excited about being in the ring.

- Bell! - (bell dings)

Lampley: Round One begins.

No feeling out process here, Al.

They wanna throw leather.

(cheering)

Referee: I want a clean fight! Come on, let's go!

Go, Rey!

(grunting)

(cheering)

Two! Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

(bell dings)

Lampley: Saved by the bell.

Fuck you! Fuck you!

Lampley: And he takes one right in the mouth.

Bernstein: Except for that counter right-hand,

Sucre Rey has had things completely his own way,

whether it's righty or lefty.

Boom! Boom!

Lampley: Once again the count.

Sucre Rey dancing in the neutral corner.

Ochonez up for more punishment.

(crowd cheering)

I think one more combination,

and this could be over.

He may not want to finish him off.

But rather extend the revenge punishment

across the full ten rounds.

Arliss (narrating): It seemed Sucre Rey had defended his honor

the only way he knew how.

- (bell ringing) - The fight was a tremendous success for everyone.

HBO received its highest ratings ever.

Crowd (chanting): Sucre Rey! Sucre Rey!

Arliss (narrating): But once again, justice did not prevail.

And the winner is Ochonez!

(crowd booing)

Arliss (narrating): Unlike the Olympics,

this time, Rey did not take it well.

Lampley: Ooh! Sucre Rey gets off a right hand

to the chin of the referee.

Bernstein: I can't believe that!

Things are getting hairy in here. There's the warden.

Now that's a good combination.

Arliss (narrating): Rey wound up socking the warden,

and was sentenced to 16 months in a federal prison.

It was a tough break for Sucre Rey.

But you can bet when he gets out,

I'll be the first one there to greet him.

I'm the champ! I got robbed!

Arliss (narrating): The important thing to remember

is never give up on a situation,

and you too may turn a minus...

into a plus.

♪ When I look at them ♪

♪ All I see are the pretty faces ♪

My name is Arliss Michaels.

I represent athletes.

These are my stories.

♪ How have I ever lived before ♪

♪ Without seeing such beautiful grace ♪

♪ Oh, how could I ever loved before ♪

♪ Without life's truest taste ♪

Woman: Ah, yes.

♪ When I look at them ♪

♪ All I see are the pretty faces ♪

♪ The birds are all singing ♪

♪ And flying back from southern places ♪

♪ How have I ever lived before ♪

♪ Without seeing such beautiful grace ♪

♪ Oh, how could I ever loved before ♪

♪ Without life's truest taste ♪

♪ When I look at them... ♪