New Boxing Movie Based On Book By South Jersey Author
by Kristen Johanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new movie comes out Friday called 'Hands of Stone,' based on the life of boxing legend Roberto Duran.
It was a story first told by a South Jersey native.
Author Christian Guidice of Haddonfield first released his novel in 2006, profiling Roberto Duran.
"He had defense, he had offense, he had movement, he had power," said Guidice.
Guidice first fell in love with boxing when his dad took him to matches in Atlantic City. It blossomed into a career.
"I graduated from Villanova, and then went to Temple University to get my masters, and started to cover Philly boxing," recalled Guidice.
Eventually he traveled to Panama to interview Duran, his family, and friends and wrote the book 'Hands of Stone.'
"I had to go back to Temple to learn Spanish, and then go back there," said Guidice.
He then learned through the internet that a movie by the same name and similar plot was being released, starring Robert De Niro.
"My book is the only one out there on Duran," said Guidice, but he hopes the film attracts fans.
"It's a little bitter-sweet, but maybe it will draw more people to the book," he said.