His career, like many others, was filled with vitriol and controversy, but upon news of his terminal struggle with liver cancer only a few days ago, the public and his contemporaries were quick to set aside their criticisms and differences in honoring this boxing legend.

In the wake of Smokin’ Joe’s passing, we offer up eight film fighters who’s fictional careers weren’t as rich and interesting as Frazier’s.

Rocky

Not going for subtlety here, folks. Rocky is one of the most beloved characters, not just in boxing movies, not just in American film, but possibly in American culture. As such, he gets the first spot on this list. If you don’t know why, please run, don’t walk to the video store (if one still exists by the time you read this) and rent Rocky I-IV.

The man trains by chopping wood and punching meat. He’s tenderizing as he trains! Also, he ended communism in Rocky IV, so we all owe him a pretty big debt of gratitude.

Jake LaMotta

Raging Bull’s Jake LaMotta is not a likeable character, but he sure is an enthralling one. His rage, coupled with his complex and flawed relationships with his own family, makes him a ticking time bomb who lives up to the title of the film. Based on the bio of Jake La Motta (notice the space), the film was widely praised, though the violent content served as something of a turn-off for many moviegoers.

Beyond that, Robert De Niro’s weight gain for this film remains the gold standard for physical transformations for a role (besides Fat Mac from Always Sunny, of course).

Swank has fired her long-time manager, Jason Weinberg, as well as a few CAA agents from her team. Jeez, you get your client a gig saluting ONE brutal dictator and this is the thanks you get? Hollywood.

Many feel that the blame should fall on Swank herself, who claims she had no knowledge of the leader’s human rights record. However, the Human Rights Foundation disputes this, claiming that they had sent her a notice pleading with her not to attend, to which Swank’s manager replied that she had no plans to attend the event. But it seems that he underestimated her love of birthday cake.

Sounds like a mess but perhaps these firings were long overdue. Ask yourself which is worse: sending your client to serenade a violent mad man, or sending your client to star in The Reaping? (The Independent)

Had he done that, I would officially sign on as a boxing fan for life with no questions.

8. Jerry Mitchell – Three O’Clock High

Sure, everyman protagonist Jerry was completely bullied by Buddy Revell, but Jerry ends up knocking out Buddy with the use of some brass knuckles tossed back to him by his sister. Lame.

A schoolyard fight is binding contract in which both parties agree there will be no dirty fighting. Granted, Jerry wanted nothing to do with this fight at all, but he showed up, which demonstrates a tacit adherence to the rules.

7. Ivan Drago – Rocky IV

This may sound a little quaint of me, but…THIS GUY USED STERIODS! He also killed Apollo, but I don’t lay blame on Drago for that. I mean, who REALLY stops at the bell when they’re boxing? Maybe the losing boxer, but you keep going. Drago was also a communist, which I view as a manner of political cheating, but we’re really just looking at the fighting and boxing here, so I won’t dwell on my political beliefs.

We see Drago getting injected with a mysterious substance during the training montage, which is disheartening because we know that reputable American athletes would never use steroids because of both the health risks and the unfair advantage they create.