Fellowship of the ring

Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry talk to LYNN RUSK about their new boxing biopic Giant, exploring the relationship between world champion Prince Naseem Hamed and his coach Brendan Ingle

- LYNN RUSK

Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry talk to LYNN RUSK about their new boxing biopic Giant, exploring the relationship between world champion Prince Naseem Hamed and his coach Brendan Ingle

ter that to a certain extent, you face trials and tribulations that you have to overcome.

“It was really surreal for me to actually meet him, talk to him about it and see how much of it shaped his identity.”

Pierce adds: “For Brendan, an Irishman and an immigrant, and Hamed, from a Yemeni family growing up in Sheffield, they were somewhat outsiders and they had to carve their own paths to glory.

“I think we both have empathy for these men. We're both very proud to play these great heroes of the boxing world. But not only that, they were heroes unto themselves, as men who did good things, who wanted to entertain through boxing.”

The film also explores the breakdown of Brendan and Naseem’s relationship and the decline of Naseem’s career.

“It is heartbreaking to not see them reconcile,” says Amir. “I think they both wore their hearts on their sleeves, and throughout that whole process, they were very public about it. They were two men who were really well-meaning, it’s just a shame that it didn’t have that moment to make peace.”