Intrigue

The Third Man in the Ring Docudrama is an introduction to the upcoming feature film of the same name, "Third Man in the Ring", now in pre-production that was inspired by a true story. Screenplay was written by Barbara and Jim Maggio. Music and Video Composition was created by Morgan Paul.

THIRD MAN IN THE RING is a film about a man beset by conflict in every facet of his life, conflict in his professional life, conflict in his marriage, and conflict with his friends and relatives. THIRD MAN IN THE RING will capture fans of boxing, organized crime and life itself with the flavor of Raging Bull, The Godfather and Days of Wine and Roses.

This story is about a man, Teddy Martin, who sets his goals high in an attempt to win the love and respect of his wealthy girlfriend, Dolly, and her family. It is also the story of a man who becomes a celebrated professional fight referee and a mob associate and will show the treachery of the mob when you refuse to play ball with them.

Teddy takes up prize fighting as a means to earn the right to court Dolly who eventually becomes his wife. After years in the ring, he encounters tougher competition. The punishment he suffers takes its toll. Teddy realizes its time to end his prizefighting career. But Teddys love of the boxing game is so great that he seeks out opportunities to coach and referee amateur boxing. Teddy takes a job with the New York Central Railroad to provide a steady income. It is in the railroad yard that Teddy begins his second career as a bookmaker and loanshark.

The mob soon learns of his activity at the St. Johns rail yard and makes him a lucrative offer to run a large bookmaking operation. In THIRD MAN, we will follow Teddy as his fortunes thrive, and he wins the hand of the love of his life. In a curious irony of fate, Teddy becomes the rich man as Dollys familys fortune disappears with the end of Prohibition. Despite Teddys generosity, this reversal of fortune remains a sore point with Dolly throughout their marriage.

THIRD MAN will depict Teddys rise in the world of boxing to become the youngest professional referee in New York States roster of referees. When we meet Paulie Carbonara, we meet the man who controlled boxing in the 40s and 50s. Paulie is known as the Underworlds Overlord of Boxing and is a convicted mobster. Paulie assumes that because of Teddys mob association, he is obligated to do his bidding. When Teddy refuses, Paulie plots his revenge. This act of revenge opens a window into Teddys association with the mob and has severe consequences. Consequences that start the long, slow slide in Teddys fortunes and eventually leads to the destruction of his marriage, the loss of his moneymaking source, the loss of his daughters admiration, and the loss of his own life force.

Despite these tragedies, THIRD MAN eulogizes Teddys life, first by his boxing peers and then by his daughter as he is inducted into a Boxing Hall of Fame.