The Fighting Wagners

Synopsis

Pasquale Sarubbi, an Italian immigrant, has fought many years for acceptance on Irish dominated streets. He lives with his wife Tressa and their six children at 32 Thompson Street. AYer struggling for seventeen years, he opens a cobbler shop in Greenwich Village. His first born, Anthony (age 16) pummels an Irish kid in front of Pasquale’s shop. Pasquale breaks up the fight and then tries to convince Anthony to be quiet and acceptance will follow. Anthony vows that will never happen. He won’t lay down for anyone. Anthony and his father become rivals on this subject. Joe Val, a boxing trainer at S@llman’s gym, observes Anthony during this street fight. He invites Anthony to come to the gym to demonstrate his ability. Anthony is defiant and reluctant at first. He then concedes aYer mee@ng Red Dawkins, a boxing trainer known for grooming champions. He is also Joe Val’s nemesis. They have a tumultuous history which led to the demise of Joe’s figh@ng career. During prac@ce, Joe shares his story with Anthony how Red brutally beat and disfigured him because he exposed one of his boxers who impersonated an Irish boxer. Anthony’s determina@on to fight intensifies. Joe’s @reless e?orts to train Anthony births a Bantamweight contender now known as Young Wagner. AYer a series of wins and notoriety, Anthony leads his brothers: James, Phillip and Bobby into the ring. Thus, the Saga of The Figh:ng Wagners begins. During a trip to a boxing camp, James refuses to prac@ce. The upheaval between Anthony and James escalate. Anthony develops a special rela@onship with his cousin, Alfonso, son of his Uncle. James seeks advice from his Uncle, who owns a bakery shop on Sullivan Street. He wants to open a restaurant not join his brothers in their pugilis@c escapades. This creates tension between them. Anthony’s love interest is Juliet Boyle, cousin to Paddy Boyle. Paddy has a vehement passion to fight in the ring under Red Dawkins. Red never grants him the opportunity. Red asks Paddy to coax Juliet into preven@ng Anthony from figh@ng John Coulon in the @tle fight for the Bantamweight championship. This a;empt fails. James no@ces Juliet running down the street. She tells him what happened. James brings Juliet to his home so his mother could take care of her. James finds Paddy and gives him a bea@ng. That same night, while Anthony is prac@cing at the gym, he is told to go home. He had no idea what happened. When he arrives home, James tells Anthony about the incident and their rela@onship is mended. Unbeknownst to Juliet (his now girlfriend), his brothers and parents, Anthony’s health begins to deteriorate. It is Alfonso who discovers this illness. Their rela@onship becomes tainted. Title fight: John Coulon vs Young Wagner. Pasquale visits Anthony in the locker room before the fight. He has become aware of his son’s ill health. He tries to discourage him from figh@ng and before he leaves, he hands Anthony boxing shoes he made. Bobby takes the place of his brother for this @tle fight. Although he loses to John Coulon, he makes an announcement that he fought under his real name, Bobby Sarubbi. This is the beginning of Italians using their own name in the ring. AYer the fight, Anthony passes the boxing shoes to Bobby symbolizing he carry on the boxing name.