Champion (1949) is an American drama based on the short story written by Ring Lardner about boxer Michael "Midge" Kelly (Kirk Douglas), and is considered one of the best boxing movies of all time. The story reveals how Midge's successes in boxing lead to failures in his life outside the ring. His struggle began when he was hitchhiking with his brother Connie (Arthur Kennedy) and was hustled unprepared into a pro boxing match. Though he's severely beaten, manager Tommy Haley (Paul Stewart) finds him promising. Arriving in California, he seduces a lovely young waitress, Emma Bryce (Ruth Roman), which leads to a shotgun marriage. Gaining fame, wealth and glory leads Kelly to eventually alienate everyone who's helped him until he finds himself completely alone. Will his sacrifices for being famous be worth it in the end? Champion won the Academy Award for Editing and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay.moreless