Music and Lyrics by Drew Brody
ARI
NO DOUBTS
NO DOUBTS
YOU KNOW YOU’LL GET A KNOCKOUT
SO FORGET ABOUT THE CROWD
AND STAY CALM.
FIGHT TO WIN –
LET THE SHOW BEGIN.
DENNISON
I’M A MONSTER! I’M GONNA FUCK YOU UP
I’M GONNA WIPE THE FLOOR WITH YOUR SORRY MUG
YEAH YOU’RE QUICK BOY, BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE.
ONE HIT FROM ME AND BYE-BYE!
ELI & LINCOLN
NO DOUBTS. NO – DOUBTS.
YOU KNOW YOU’LL GET A KNOCKOUT
SO FORGET ABOUT THE CROWD AND STAY CALM.
FIGHT TO WIN –
ARI
AND PROTECT THE CHIN.
ENSEMBLE
HE’S STARTING TO RISE.
ONE STEP AT A TIME..
UNSTOPPABLE, UNDEFEATABLE
MOE GREEN
TONY, IT’S MOE. I KNOW YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU
COULDN’T GET A FIGHT FOR SIX WEEKS, BUT PLEASE MAN –
I’M ON MY KNEES. I GOTTA KID WHO NEEDS A FIGHT,
I GOTTA FEELING THAT IT MIGHT BE THE
KIND OF THING THAT GETS THE PEOPLE TO THE RING.
THE JEWS ARE GONNA FLOCK TO SEE THEIR NEW BOXING KING.
IF THERE’S ONE THING THIS KID’LL DO IT’S MAKE NEWS.
DON’T FORGET – BOXING STARTED WITH THE JEWS!
OLIVIA
RINGSIDE. I LIKE TO BE RINGSIDE.
I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW HARD I’M FALLING FOR HIM.
HOW MUCH I THINK ABOUT HIM. OH GOD IT FEELS LIKE A SIN.
HAVE I GONE OUT OF MY MIND? CAN I BELIEVE WHAT I SEE?
I LOOK IN THE RING, THAT BOY IS FIGHTING FOR ME.
I’M IN LOVE, I’M IN LOVE, I’M IN LOVE.
THAT BOY IS FINE. FINE. OH, HE’S FINE!
AND IT’S EXCITING JUST TO WATCH HIM
WITH HIS PASSION AND HIS BODY
AND TO KNOW THAT THAT FIGHTER THERE IS MINE.
ENSEMBLE AND OLIVIA
HE’S STARTING TO RISE.
ONE STEP AT A TIME.
UNSTOPPABLE, UNDEFEATABLE
DOLORES
I could never let my son fight. I would be so
afraid he would get hurt.
JO
The Rabbi says there hasn’t been a great Jewish
boxer since Max Baer. In the 40’s!
EDIE
Since when did the Rabbi become a boxing
historian?
JO
Are you joking, Edie? Boxing is all anyone at
the Synagogue talks about anymore.
DOLORES
Ari’s been training in that basement for almost
twenty years, Edie. He belongs to all of us.
ELI
BREATHE IN. REAL HARD.
LINCOLN
DON’T LET HIM CLINCH ON YOU
PUT ALL HIS WEIGHT ON YOU
HE’S TRYIN’ TO FRUSTRATE YOU
ARI
IT’S WORKIN. I’M HURTIN.
MY NOSE WON’T STOP BLEEDIN
THE BLOOD IN MY THROAT
IS MAKING ME CHOKE
ELI
SPIT IT OUT. ONE MORE ROUND
DON’T GIVE UP. STAND YOUR GROUND
WHEN YOU HIT, HIT HIM HARD
LINCOLN
YOU’RE BEHIND ON THE SCORE CARDS!
ELI
WORK THE RIGHT EYE. IT’S ABOUT TO POP
LINCOLN
YOU WANNA LET YOUR PEOPLE DOWN?
YOU WANT THE FIGHT TO STOP?
ARI
NO!
ELI
HOOK, SLIP, HOOK. REAL QUICK. REAL CLEAN
LINCOLN
YOU DICTATE WHO’S THE BOSS. YOU’RE MY KILLING MACHINE.
YOU THINK LONG YOU THINK WRONG. YOU STAY STRONG!
ELI
YOU BELONG
WITH THE BEST.
LINCOLN
FUCK THE REST!
IT’S A TEST OF YOUR HEART.
POUND YOUR CHEST. TEAR APART –
ELI & LINCOLN
MAKE AN ART OF THE SPORT
AND IF NOT, JUST RESORT
TO HIS SHORTS!
ELI
MAKE A BLOW THAT’S TOO LOW.
LOSE A POINT, MAKE YOUR POINT!
LINCOLN
Now get in there and kill him! Last round baby!
ENSEMBLE
HE’S STARTING TO RISE.
ONE STEP AT A TIME.
UNSTOPPABLE, UNDEFEATABLE
RABBI
And I would like to conclude tonight’s service with a special “shout out” as the kids say, to Ari and Eli Hoffman. Eli, we miss you! There’s so much here that needs fixing! And to Ari – who recently won his fifth consecutive fight, and who will be going for his sixth big win tomorrow night – I say – knock’m on his touchas!!
ELI
WHAT A RIDE. I AM SWOLLEN WITH PRIDE.
WE’VE GOT ALL OF THE JEWS IN THE WORLD ON OUR SIDE
AND NOW ARI’S PROVIDING FOR FAMILY THINGS.
WE CAN ONLY THANK GOD FOR THESE SUDDEN BLESSINGS.
HE’S STARTING TO RISE
ONE STEP AT A TIME
UNSTOPPABLE, UNDEFEATABLE
REPORTER
YOU JUST WON YOUR SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE WIN.
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
ARI
LIKE A CHAMPION.
REPORTER
WHO’S NEXT ON YOU RADAR, ARI?
ARI
KARVER. KARVER. KILLER KARIM.
I WANT THE BELT. I’M THE TOP WELTER-WEIGHT IN THE STATE.
SO TELL ME… WHY SHOULD I WAIT? IT’S FATE.
REPORTER
After this article gets published, a lot of
people are going to take an interest in you –
ARI
Good.
REPORTER
– because you’re Jewish.
IS THAT A LOT OF PRESSURE?
ARI
IT’S A LITTLE BIT OF STRESS, SURE.
TO GET THE TITLE FIGHT I NEED THE POPULARITY
DON’T CARE WHO MY FANS ARE, AS LONG AS THEY’RE THERE, SEE IF
JEWS, OR BLACKS, OR CHINESE GET BEHIND ME,
I WON’T LET THEM DOWN, I WILL WEAR THE CROWN PROUDLY.
LOVE THE ATTENTION AND LET ME JUST MENTION
MA’AM, THIS IS WHY GOD DESIGNED ME.
MOE GREEN
I’M JUST TALKIN’ LINCOLN. PEOPLE ARE CALLIN’ HIM
THE NEXT MAYWEATHER! I’VE NEVER SEEN A NON-CONTENDER
RENDER AFFECTION LIKE MY LITTLE INVENTION,
LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
LINCOLN
BUT SHOULD WE GIVE HIM KARIM? I MEAN YOU
TALK ABOUT PRETTY BOY FLOYD- YOU RECALL,
HE WENT 18 BOUTS BEFORE HE WON A WORLD TITLE.
MOE GREEN
LINC, LEON SPINKS BEAT ALI! ALI!
ALI! FOR CHRIST’S SAKE! AFTER ONLY EIGHT FIGHTS.
WHILE KARIM IS STILL THE CHAMP, I’M IN A UNIQUE POSITION.
I MANAGE THEM BOTH SO IT’S MY DECISION.
A COLLISiON OF CULTURE, RACE, AND RELIGION.
WE’LL BE BATHING IN MONEY, BUDDY. BATHING IN MONEY, BUDDY.
LINCOLN
YOU CRAZY! WE FIGHTIN’ EVERY THREE WEEKS.
SURE ARI’S ON A STREAK, BUT KARIM’S AT HIS PEAK!
HE’S A MONSTER. HE WILL FUCK HIM UP.
YOUR MONEY BATH IS FULL OF ARI’S BLOOD.
AND DONT’CHA KNOW MOE, YOU AHEAD OF YOURSELF.
HE’S GOTTA BE A RANKED FIGHTER ‘FORE HE GOES FOR THE BELT.
MOE GREEN
I’LL TAKE CARE OF THAT. YOU CAN FIX THE ATTITUDE.
I DON’T NEED YOUR FRICTION LINCOLN; I’D PREFER YOUR GRATITUDE.
DON’T SLOW ME DOWN WHEN I GOT MY MOMENTUM.
I HEAR MANHATTAN CLAPPIN’. I WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.
FAN 1
TICKET ANYBODY? GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY?
GOTTA TICKET- ONE TICKET? TWO TICKETS? ANYBODY?
FANS 1 & 2
ANYBODY GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY? GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY?
GOTTA TICKET- ONE TICKET? TWO TICKETS? ANYBODY?
FANS 1,2 & 3
ANYBODY GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY? GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY?
GOTTA TICKET- ONE TICKET? TWO TICKETS? ANYBODY?
TRANSITION:
LINCOLN
DON’T LET HIM FIGHT YOU ON THE OUTSIDE!
GOTTA STAY INSIDE – PACKED TIGHT!
THIS GUY IS BIGGER BUT YOU’RE SMARTER THAN HIM.
DON’T STEP BACK. ATTACK. MAKE ‘EM FALL BACK!
THIS IS FOR THE RANK!
COME ON! GIT’M! GIT’M!
THIS IS FOR THE RANK!
COME ON! GIT’M! GIT’M!
ELI
Finish him!
ALL
HE’S STARTING TO RISE.
ONE STEP AT A TIME.
UNSTOPPABLE, UNDEFEATABLE
OLIVIA
HAVE YOU SEEN THE PAPER TODAY, EDIE?
ARI IS FRONT PAGE AGAIN
“THE JEWISH EXPLOSION IS CAUSING COMMOTION.”
HIS DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE
AND I GO TO EVERY FIGHT. WHY DON’T YOU?
EDIE
DON’T START UP WITH ME TODAY, OLIVIA.
YOU KNOW I CAN’T WATCH HIM FIGHT.
AND WOULD HE BE IN THE NEWS IF HE WASN’T A JEW?
SOMETHING JUST DOESN’T SEEM RIGHT.
I DON’T WANT TO RAIN ON THIS FAMILY’S PARADE,
BUT IT’S MY BOY IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
HE’S CHANGING AND FOR THE WORSE.
YOU MAY BE THE SPICE OF THE MONTH,
BUT I’M THE ONE WHO GAVE BIRTH.
REPORTER 2
I HEAR YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A TITLE FIGHT. IS IT TRUE?
ARI
OF COURSE IT’S TRUE. I’M OVERDUE. IS THAT NEWS?
REPORTER 3
IT’S BEEN SAID YOU’RE THE NEXT BENNY LEONARD. DO YOU AGREE?
ARI
LET’S WAIT AND SEE. LOOK– ALL I KNOW IS WHAT YOU KNOW:
I’VE GOT TEN WINS IN AS MANY MONTHS
AND IF ANYONE THINKS THEY’RE TRUMPING ME THEY’RE WRONG!
I GOT FISTS BLESSED BY HEAVEN ABOVE
AND I PITY ANYONE WHOSE IN THE PATH OF MY GLOVE.
REPORTERS
MR. HOFFMAN, WAIT, MR. HOFFMAN!
MR. HOFFMAN, WAIT, MR. HOFFMAN!
REPORTER
Mr. Hoffman, speaking of heaven above, some of
your critics say you’re exploiting your Judaism
for publicity? How do you respond?
ARI
YOU KNOW, I’M GLAD YOU’RE ASKING
CAUSE I BEEN MASKING A SECRET FOR YOU. I’M A JEW,
I’M NOT AFRAID TO SHOW IT.
I’M NOT AFRAID AND EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW IT.
IT’S NOT FOR PUBLICITY. IT’S FOR THE WORLD TO SEE
I DID THE BEST THING I COULD DO –
I GOT A TATTOO!
NOW THAT I’M MARKED WITH THE STAR OF MY PEOPLE,
MY SUCCESS WILL BE UNBELIEVABLE.
NOW I’VE GOT WHAT ALL THE OTHERS LACK:
GOD’S GOT MY BACK…
(Simultaneous):
ENSEMBLE
HE’S STARTING TO RISE!
ONE STEP AT A TIME!
UNSTOPPABLE, UNDEFEATABLE x6
ARI
GOD’S GOT MY BACK
EDIE
IT’S MY BOY IN THE SPOTLIGHT, AND HE’S CHANGING…
REPORTERS
MR. HOFFMAN, WAIT, MR. HOFFMAN! MR. HOFFMAN! MR. HOFFMAN!
OLIVIA
THE JEWISH EXPLOSION IS CAUSING COMMOTION!
KARVER & FANS
THIS IS FOR THE (MY) BELT! COME ON! GIT’M! GIT’M!
ELI & LINCOLN
NO DOUBTS. NO – DOUBTS. YOU KNOW YOU’LL GET A KNOCKOUT
SO FORGET ABOUT THE CROWD AND STAY CALM. FIGHT TO WIN.
MOE GREEN
I HEAR MANHATTAN CLAPPIN’. I WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN!
OLIVIA
RINGSIDE! I WANNA BE RINGSIDE!
FANS 1,2 & 3
GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY? GOTTA TICKET ANYBODY?
GOTTA TICKET- ONE TICKET? TWO TICKETS? ANYBODY? (X4)
ELI
HOOK, SLIP, HOOK! REAL QUICK REAL CLEAN!
LINCOLN
HE’S A MONSTER. HE WILL FUCK HIM UP.
YOUR MONEY BATH IS FULL OF ARI’S BLOOD.
ARI’S QUICK BUT HE CAN’T HIDE!
ONE HIT FROM THE CHAMP AND BYE-BYE