BRANDON "THE CANNON" ADAMS: Redemption Road {dir}
This one was personal and a reminder of just how much storytelling can change lives. I met Brandon through his brother Terrell who I had been training with at a local boxing gym in Los Angeles. Terrell, a very talented fighter himself, showed me some of Brandon’s professional bouts on ESPN and explained how certain struggles, both personally and professionally, were holding his brother back from "greatness." I knew I could help.
I spent a lot of time with this exceptionally talented, hilariously charismatic, and totally committed family man. We trained together. Shared stories. Broke bread and watched our kids play together. We connected on a real level and my respect for the man behind "the Cannon" persona grew as we worked to get his dream back on track.
We needed to tell his story. To shed light on how a false steroid-use accusation and a dangerous last-minute weight cut had hindered his rocketing accent toward boxing's elite. We endeavored to make a film that conveyed his spirit and gave us the presentation we needed to run a successful crowdfunding campaign to support a "people's champ."
Raising over $50,000.00, we garnered vital support to sustain Brandon's training as an independent fighter. Then the unthinkable happened. The film caught the eye of Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television, ESPN, and MGM.
Brandon was invited to join the season 5 cast of The Contender, which is boxing biggest reality TV series. Brandon went undefeated and became the Ultimate Contender, beating Shane Mosely Jr. to capture the belt and the six-figure purse.
Onward the brave.
For more about the show: "The sweet science is front and center in The Contender, the pioneering boxing competition series produced by Mark Burnett and his longtime executive producer Eric Van Wagenen. In their emotionally compelling journeys, sixteen boxers push themselves to the limit, telling stories of their families and hardships, as well as testing their strength and endurance all while vying for a six-figure purse and the title of the ultimate Contender. Featuring undefeated champion Andre “Son of God” Ward as host and the inimitable Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson as trainers and mentors, The Contender gives a unique insight into the life of a fighter – in and out of the ring."
I spent a lot of time with this exceptionally talented, hilariously charismatic, and totally committed family man. We trained together. Shared stories. Broke bread and watched our kids play together. We connected on a real level and my respect for the man behind "the Cannon" persona grew as we worked to get his dream back on track.
We needed to tell his story. To shed light on how a false steroid-use accusation and a dangerous last-minute weight cut had hindered his rocketing accent toward boxing's elite. We endeavored to make a film that conveyed his spirit and gave us the presentation we needed to run a successful crowdfunding campaign to support a "people's champ."
Raising over $50,000.00, we garnered vital support to sustain Brandon's training as an independent fighter. Then the unthinkable happened. The film caught the eye of Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television, ESPN, and MGM.
Brandon was invited to join the season 5 cast of The Contender, which is boxing biggest reality TV series. Brandon went undefeated and became the Ultimate Contender, beating Shane Mosely Jr. to capture the belt and the six-figure purse.
Onward the brave.
For more about the show: "The sweet science is front and center in The Contender, the pioneering boxing competition series produced by Mark Burnett and his longtime executive producer Eric Van Wagenen. In their emotionally compelling journeys, sixteen boxers push themselves to the limit, telling stories of their families and hardships, as well as testing their strength and endurance all while vying for a six-figure purse and the title of the ultimate Contender. Featuring undefeated champion Andre “Son of God” Ward as host and the inimitable Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson as trainers and mentors, The Contender gives a unique insight into the life of a fighter – in and out of the ring."
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