Owing its existence to much better films made before it, Fighting is a dour and lethargic fight flick that couldn’t punch its way out of a paper bag.  

Essentially a remake of the unintentionally hilarious but spirited Van Damme actioner Wrong Bet, Fighting continues the never ending trend of filmmakers ripping off John Schlesinger’s 1969 classic Midnight Cowboy, in its pairing of an out of town young buck and a grizzled NYC swindler, with both set on making big money.

Channing Tatum stars as Shawn, an Alabama boy with a mean right cross whose hustling escapades finds him in the New York City underground fight circuit.

Proving that life is still hard for a pimp is Terrence Howard, who co-stars as Shawn’s agent Harvey, setting up big money bouts so Shawn can knock them down.  

Appropriately violent fight scenes with varied opponents follow, and are made purposely sloppy to heighten realism, coming off more UFC than movie magic.

Director/co-writer Dito Moniel, who wowed with his 2006 debut A Guide to Recognising Your Saints (which also starred Tatum), has tried his best in creating a seedy underworld filled with hustlers out to “make some money”. In fact, Moniel does it a little too well, creating a bleak existence that neither titillates nor endangers.

That his choice of lead in Tatum looks like he is ready to fall at sleep at any minute, mumbling his dialogue save for the odd “dramatic moment”, does not help matters.  

Fighting could have been a half way descent film if it wasn’t a drowsy retread of other fisticuff tales, which packed some wallop in there punches.

Sure, its hip hop soundtrack is thumping and the trash talk never ends. But something is missing in this fight: heart.