A persisting theme throughout the six episodes is one of family; that sense is felt between Esteban (Gael García Bernal) and ex-wife Irasema (Eiza González) and their two boys, the peculiar familial relations between Andy and his mother, as well as the non blood-related, yet strained family found between the three leads, which goes through all the highs and lows of any family. While many dub the series as a boxing show, I think that descriptor is inaccurate. When I described the series to friends who I was trying to convince to watch it, I described it first and foremost as a family drama – the boxing comes second. The family drama tests these close relations throughout its multi-hour runtime, creating a sense of heightened emotions and gives the fantastic cast plenty to work with.

The strongest aspect of the series is certainly the star-studded cast, or rather the performances they give. Gael García Bernal delivers a soul-tearing display of a once accomplished boxer now dealing with the physical and emotional tolls the sport cruelly afflicts many of its sportspeople with. While the series does rest on the shoulders of Bernal, he by no means is alone in carrying it. The performer that perhaps shocked me the most was that of Diego Luna, who puts on a surprising display of his range, departing

from the typical honorable action hero in Andor, to a slimy, money-hungry boxing promoter with a hint of morals. Luna has clearly done his research, with his character clearly based off Hall of Fame promoter Oscar De La Hoya, from the way his clients describe his business methods, to the way he is fixated on his appearance, featuring clear botox enhancements.

In short, fans of boxing dramas and the Rocky movies will get exactly what they’re looking for – a macho series centered around a boxer who wins some and loses some, combined with fantastically choreographed action setpieces in the boxing ring and homages to the modern day boxing culture, but will also be surprised by the drama aspects of the show, accompanied by strong performances, touching moments, and family matters that will engrave the series in the memories of viewers for generations.