Champion to convict to coach: this fallen boxer fights for his soul in Russia's underground.
Season 1 • Episode 10
LatestVictor is a world boxing champion, the idol of millions of fans, a star. Everything changes in an instant when, by a ridiculous coincidence, he becomes the culprit of an unintentional murder. After liberation comes the realization that there is no more fame, no more money contracts. In the absence of work, Victor agrees to participate in underground battles. However, no one expects him to win here either. Only his father remembers his glorious sporting past, and the twelve—year-old boy Kirill is a boarding school student with autism. Victor begins to train the boys from the orphanage, trying to change them and himself for the better. He will have to recreate himself, emerge victorious from all the troubles and remain human at the same time. The latter is especially important, because his boys are now looking up to him.
Acting
Shirikov's physical transformation hits harder than any punch.
Direction
Andreasyan brothers balance brutal realism with tender hope.
Production
Moscow's gray underbelly feels authentically suffocating.
Creators
Gevond Andreasyan, Sarik Andreasyan, Evgeny Tatarov
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The series reflects post-Soviet Russia's struggle with celebrity culture and masculine identity crises. Underground fighting rings exploded in popularity during 2010s economic downturn.
Shirikov trained with actual Moscow homeless boxing clubs for six months; director Tatarov originally conceived this as a feature before expanding to series format.
RU
