Trivia

Denzel Washington trained for over a year with a boxing coach.

Wesley Snipes and Samuel L. Jackson vied for the lead role.

Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter was actually discharged from the military after four court martial incidents (after just 21 months' service).

Denzel Washington lost 60 pounds to play the lead role.

Joey Giardello sued the film's producers for libel over the depiction of his fight with Carter. The case was settled out of court and Norman Jewison agreed to make a statement on the DVD version that, "Giardello no doubt was a great fighter."