Laura Huertas Millán

Shadowboxing is a film project currently in development, rooted in a long-term investigation of English boxing as a site of struggle and resistance.

The film draws inspiration from the voices and social transformations that boxers have catalyzed, taking political stances that extend beyond the confines of the ring and turning their fights into platforms for advancing social rights. However, this project is not solely focused on boxing’s iconic figures. Rather, it seeks to highlight unique stories where boxing becomes a means of emancipation—whether collective, individual, material, or deeply emotional. The film engages with both amateur and professional boxers, posing a central question: Why do you fight? Their distinctive experiences, and the impact of their stories on broader communities, lie at the core of this work.

While this exploration delves into boxers’ emotional connections to the sport, the aim is not to glorify or aestheticize its violence. Instead, it seeks to reflect on the complex history of boxing and its multifaceted expressions of violence, capturing what Joyce Carol Oates poignantly described as “the most tragic of sports,” despite her own admiration for the fight.

My research will center on boxers, aiming to capture a diverse array of perspectives and insights without resorting to a unilateral interpretation of the practice. The film will engage with multiple viewpoints, particularly through interactions with practitioners in New York, a historic hub of boxing. This exploration involves immersing myself within these communities (as I also practice boxing while preparing this film) and continuing to reflect on themes of the body and violence.

I plan to continue writing my film Shadowboxing in New York, a city renowned for its pivotal role in American boxing and its rich history of struggle and diasporic displacement. In her essay On Boxing, Joyce Carol Oates observes that boxers often risk their lives in the ring, embodying the complex intersections of violence, class, and race. This resonates deeply with the history of American boxing, where fights frequently symbolize battles for economic survival. In New York, many boxers from marginalized communities not only compete for titles but also strive to improve their living conditions.

In this project, my focus is on the profiles of boxers and trainers who view boxing as a pathway to overcoming social and psychological wounds. Local gyms, particularly those that serve young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, become spaces for release and self-transformation. I intend to explore emblematic locations like Gleason’s Gym, where the rich history of boxing unfolds through narratives of liberation and resilience.

Gender dynamics are central to my approach. I will explore the role of women in boxing, examining how some female boxers challenge and redefine norms of femininity and masculinity within a sport often perceived as predominantly masculine. Boxing, as a practice, also provides a space for queer identities to find expression, where combat transforms into a dance—a notion captured by Oates, who described it as “part dance, courtship, coupling.” Additionally, New York serves as a fertile ground for movements that seek to reshape and redefine gender norms.

My project seeks to capture a multitude of voices, posing questions about what these individuals are fighting against. By revealing boxing’s potential to both expose and navigate systemic violence, Shadowboxing aims to weave together individual narratives and collective struggles that permeate the city.