Jackman plays a down - on - his - luck former boxer who's out of work. (movies.com)
Bale, the star of Nolan's «Batman» franchise, is a strong favorite to win supporting actor as former boxer Dicky Eklund, who helps his half - brother to a title shot after his own career unraveled amid drugs and crime in «The Fighter.» (csmonitor.com)
Charlie is a down - and - out former boxer turned sleazy fight promoter on the underground robot boxing circuit in a world where machines have replaced humans as prizefighting combatants. (nytimes.com)