Vinny Paz and Miles Teller - Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The Brenden Theatres inside the Palm Casino Resort hosted the red carpet premiere of the new movie, 'Bleed for This', the true story of one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, on Thursday evening, November 17. 'BLEED FOR THIS' stars Miles Teller (Whiplash, Divergent) as Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, a boxer from Providence R.I. who shot to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves Vinny with a broken neck, doctors tell him he may never walk again. With the help of renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart), Vinny becomes a legend when he not only walks again, but miraculously returns to the ring to reclaim his title belt.
By Judy Thorburn
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
Vinny Paz
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Miles Teller
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Vinny Paz is honored with a star on the Brenden Walk of Fame
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Prior to the screening, there was a red carpet where arrivals included the star of the film Miles Teller, real life boxing champion Vinny Pazienza, ring announcer Michael Buffer, Frank Stallone, former IBF heavyweight champion Tony Tucker, boxing pros Mickey Bey, Lavelle Robinson, Livingston Bramble, Mia St. John and Latondria Jones. Celebrity journalist Robin Leach also was on hand to present Vinny Pazienza with a star on the Brenden Walk of Fame, located in the lobby of the Brenden Theatres. Modeled after the “walk-of-fame” found on Hollywood Boulevard, the Brenden Walk of Fame features stars for Michael Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne Johnson, Hugh Hefner and Shaquille O’Neal.
Johnny Brenden
Photo credit: Stephen thorburn
Michael Buffer
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mia St. John
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Cam Glinton
Photo credit: Stephen Thotburn
Frank Stallone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Joe Cortez
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Immediately after the film ended, there was a Q & A in the theatre with Vinny Pazienza and Miles Teller, who answered questions from people in the audience.
When asked who his hero or inspiration was, Vinny replied, “My hero was Mohammad Ali. I saw him when I was five years ago and fell in love with boxing. Dad called me a champ since I was five.”
Vinny said that in his career as a champion boxer, “It was not winning the 50 fights. It's me entertaining millions of people. That's what I am most proud about. I got my will and determination from my parents. My dad was a beast and once my mom once broke her leg on the street and yet walked 2 blocks to come home and make dinner before telling my dad to take her to the hospital”.
Miles said “ In reality it was just 5 days after coming out of the hospital (with a broken neck) that Vinny went downstairs to his parents basement and began working out with weights. Vinny added, “It was one year from the time I broke my neck to back fighting.”
Vinny then went on to say, “Miles did an unbelievable job. Its hard to fight and act like me.” Miles added, “I gained gained 15 lbs to prepare for my fight against Roberto Duran.”
Whether you are a fan of boxing or not, one thing is for sure. 'Bleed for This' is more an inspirational story about courage, fortitude and unyielding determination to fight back when the odds are stacked against you. Now retired from fighting,Vinny is hoping to score a win at the movie box office with this biopic.