You knew better than to pull that mess you pulled in my ring, son.
Eyes on the ring.
Brigades Tournament begins in eight weeks.
Training starts this Friday.
Brigades is the biggest event in this academy all year. You know why?
Because the boxing ring is the only place in this academy where everybody's equal.
Doesn't matter what your rank is, how many stripes you got,
the only thing that is guaranteed when you step inside these ropes:
You're gonna find out who you are.
This doesn't look like your room.
What are you doing here, Huard?
I'm training for the Brigades, sir.
All right, Huard.
Let's see how you're doing.
Sir?
Show me how you're gonna win the Brigades.
(Burton) Ding ding.
Don't worry, Huard. I'm not your company officer in here.
I'm just a guy looking to punch you in the mouth.
Well, you can take a punch. I guess we knew that already, didn't we?
You can actually land a punch, too.
- You're pretty good, Huard. - Thanks.
Against a 36-year-old out-of-shape lieutenant.
Not bad, Huard.
You know, most of the boxers in the Brigades are nationally ranked amateurs.
Think you're gonna beat 'em by hitting the bag for a couple hours?
I'll do what I have to.
Really? Without anyone training you?
You think you're gonna be the first plebe to get through here without anyone's help?
I don't need anyone's help.
No one thinks I'll make it anyway.
Who do you think convinced the board to take a chance on you?
This ain't the shipyard, Huard. You can't just will yourself through this place.
Sorry. I'll be done in a minute.
Here. Recent studies show that auditory retention surpasses that of visual retention.
OK.
OK. Turn off the light so I can get some sleep.
(Nance's voice) What is the latitude of Annapolis?
The latitude of Annapolis is 38.58º north.
Thanks.
- Ma'am. - Plebe Huard.
- Everything OK? - Yes, ma'am.
You know I'm training for the Brigades.
That's great, Huard. Good luck.
Maybe we could work out together.
Uh, no. I think I'm already in pretty good shape, thanks.
Ma'am.
I need your help.
What? Think you're gonna be all alone in that ring?
Come on. Come on.
- Let's go. - Come on.
- Damn it. - Come on.
Before you achieve, you must believe.
Let's go, Arkansas.
Come on, Huard. I've seen better footwork at Payless.
Come on, get back in there.
Better footwork at Payless?
- Jake. - What?
You're trying to get into Cole's weight class, right?
Yeah.
What's this?
Well, you're not gonna get there by just eating the stuff they serve you here.
What you need, my friend, is the patented Marcus Nance North Beach Diet,
which, I'm proud to say,
has been perfected after 18 years of dedicated research.
- So you're gonna get me to 185? - Hey.
I'm not only the president of the Marcus Nance North Beach Diet,
I'm also a client.
Come on, get down in the mud. Come on. Come on, buddy.
Up, up. Over, over. Go, Arkansas. Come on.
Let me see you run.
(Nance) How long have you been in the Navy? All my bloomin' life.
Just hook it over and we're done. Hook it over and we're done. Here we go.
What happened to all my ball machines?
- Come on, Huard. Dance for me. - Hit me once and you can talk like that.
- I have. I think I hit you about five times. - Ooh!
Make that six, Huard.
Three. That's three. Gimme one more.
That was for momma. Gimme one for daddy. Get up there.
How bad do you want it? How bad do you want it?
Not quite there, huh?
Come on. How bad do you want it?
OK, that's good. Stop.
I never could have done it.
What?
Made it through plebe year if I could see my home every day.
Well, if I couldn't see it every day, I probably would have quit a long time ago.
You know, my mom used to take me out here.
We had a Sunfish.
We'd park it down there.
She was the only person who ever believed I'd make it here.
She must be very proud of you.
She would be.
I'm sorry.
She's what's getting you through?
Well... She's what got me here.
But she's not the one who's getting me through.
Matt Cole, 197.
All right, Midshipman. You step down.
Anybody else for heavyweight?
- All right, I guess that's it, then. - (Nance) One more heavyweight.
- Huard, what are you doing? - Weighing in.
Jump rope contest is next week. My daughter's looking forward to it.
- Anybody else? - Sir.
You said the Brigades were open to all midshipmen.
I want to fight.
Fine. I'm gonna draw up a permission slip for your parents to sign. Hit the scales.
Jake Huard, 185.
Next up, heavyweight division:
Midshipman Loo versus Midshipman Huard.
- Let's go. - (crowd chants) Loo! Loo! Loo! Loo!
(chanting continues)
You both received your instructions in the dressing rooms.
I want you to keep it clean. Any questions?
Payback's a bitch, Huard.
You set the pace out there, Huard.
(bell)
Come on, Jake. One more.
Hmm? Come on, hit me one time.
One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten.
You're out.
What is the latitude of Annapolis?
- Who were the first three admirals? - How long have you been in the Navy?
Sir, the latitude of Annapolis is 38.58º north.
Sir, the first three admirals were Dewey, Porter and Farragut.
Sir, I've been in the Navy all my bloomin' life, sir.
My mother's a mermaid, my father's King Neptune.
Every bone in my body is a spar. And when I spits, I spits tar.
I's hard, I is, I am, I are.
All right. Everybody on your feet.
Everyone but Huard is dismissed.
How about some more up-downs, Huard?
What? I'm a plebe. I love rolling on the ground and freezing my ass off.
Y'all trying to make me proud out here tonight, huh?
- Oorah! - (plebes) Oorah!
Good. Time.
- Nicely done, Huard. - Thank you.
Good job. Your left hook's getting there.
- It's getting there? - Mm-hm.
- But it's not there yet? - Not yet.
- Really? - Almost.
- Why don't you show me? There. - OK.
- Not bad. - All right.
- Show me how to... - It's just... the little things.
Like, really get your weight behind it. You know what I mean?
Ooh! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry.
Oh...
- Jeez. - Let me see. No, it's OK. I'm sorry.
- Is it bleeding? - Uh-uh.
- Huh? - Mm-mm.
- I'm sorry. - That's all right.
- I'm OK. - No, I mean about...
About stopping.
Oh.
Well, why are you sorry? I was the one who stopped.
What did you say?
It was getting a little hot. I had to push you away.
You know what? I think I hit you over the head a little too hard there, Jake.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten.
You're out!
You OK?
Nice smile, Huard.
Can't wait to see what Cole does to it in the finals.
Good fight.
No way.
It's impressive, to be able to say you helped build something like this.
Take ten.
Hey.
The ship looks great.
Yeah, it might float.
So, I know you're probably busy, but...
I have a fight next week. Saturday.
It's the finals in the Brigades. It's for the whole academy.
We're still a little behind.
Yeah. I get it.
All right.
I guess I'll see you soon.
Yeah, sure.
- Take care of yourself. - All right. You too.
The required time for plebes is five minutes.
Failure to meet that requirement will result in separation.
There will be no retest.
Good luck.
(whistle)
Keep going.
This is nothing. You're there. You're there.
Put it over. Put it over. Hook it over.
Come on. You got it. Come on, duck down. You got it.
Come on, that's it. Let's go. Let's go.
That's it. You got it.
Come on, Twins. Show Whitaker. Show him. Let's go.
Yeah! That's it. Last one. Last one.
- (Loo) Nice! Good job, Nance. - Good job, man.
(Cole) Nance.
5:04. You're four seconds over.
Sir, give him another chance. He can make it.
5:04 is 5:04.
It's four seconds. You know how far he's come?
Hey.
They gave me the key to the city. You know that?
You think I have to give it back?
Hey, this isn't over. We can talk to Burton.
Remember how I told you about that bully I beat up in the fourth grade?
Mm-hm.
Truth is, he tripped when he hit me and knocked himself out on the pavement.
Next day, he kicked the crap outta me till I cried like a baby...
All right, come on, Arkansas. You can't do this to yourself.
I let 'em down. I let my parents down...
You didn't let anyone down. We're gonna work this out. It's gonna be fine...
Just stop it, Jake! OK?
It's over.
I don't belong here, OK?
You belong here.
I just need some time alone, all right?
OK.
All right.
Switch.
Thanks.
You're ready, man.
(whistle)
- Somebody jumped. - (whistle)
(man) He's still breathing. Go get some help.
(Loo) Jake! Get him off. Get him off! Get off, Jake. Get up.
- (Jake) You did this! - Jake, take it easy.
- You happy? - Cool off. Cool off, Jake, come on.
Take it easy. Just take it easy. It's not worth it, man.
Cool off, man. You gotta cool off.
So you're quitting?
What about your review board?
I hit my superior officer. We both know how it's gonna end.
I asked for more time to prepare my statement for the board.
Your appearance has been moved to Monday.
After the Brigade finals.
I'm giving you what you wanted all year, Huard.
Hey.
Doctor says you're gonna be all right.
Jake.
Yeah?
What time's the fight?
There are more important things than the fight right now.
Listen, Jake. We're both lucky.
We got second chances.
I'm not gonna waste mine.
Neither are you.
When you step in that ring, you have three rounds
to find out who you are.
Show 'em who you are, Mississippi.
(uproar)
(AJ) Hey, rivet!
Don't let me down. I got money on you.
OK. Here we go.
Good luck.
Here we go.
OK. Fighters to the centre.
OK, gentlemen. You received my instructions in the dressing room.
Obey my commands. Touch gloves.
Come on, Jake!
(bell)
- All right, let's go, Huard. - Come on, Jake.
(Whitaker) Wreck this guy, Cole.
Watch that jab.
(Ali) Come on, Huard. Step around.
This kid Cole is probably my best recruit in the last ten years.
(Whitaker) Playtime's over.
- He's gotta pace himself. - (Whitaker) Attack him!
- That's it. - He's gotta slow it down.
Here we go. Yes!
Put him down. Put him down!
- That's right. - Oh, my God.
(Whitaker) Where's your smile now, Huard?
One, two, three...
- (Loo) Take the count. ...four...
- Get up, Jake. ...five, six, seven, eight.
Attaboy, Jake.
Box.
(Whitaker) Here we go, baby.
Stick and move. Stick and move.
Put him down. Put him down.
Stay off the ropes, Huard.
Break. Break, break, break.
(Ali) Defense, Jake. Hands up.
(Loo) Get outta that corner. Get outta the corner!
(bell)
Break. Break!
(Ali) All right. Take a deep breath. Relax. You OK?
Relax, you got this. OK, come on.
Remember, you're boxing in there, not brawling.
Look at me, Jake. Look at me. I want you to watch him, OK?
Keep your hands up. Make him come to you.
(Whitaker) You hear that? You are dominating this fight.
You're the champ, OK? Two more rounds, baby. Finish off this prick.
- (Ali) All right? Do not charge him. - (Loo) Let's go, Jake.
Come on, Jake. Come on, let's go.
- (bell) - Box.
Be patient. Just let him come to you.
(Whitaker) Here we go.
- Put him down. - (Ali) Stay off the ropes, Jake. Come on.
How's your man Huard doing, Lieutenant?
Come on, Cole.
Come on, Huard. Let's go.
Move in on him, Jakey.
- Yeah, Huard. - (Whitaker) No, no, attack him.
- Get off the ropes. - Yeah.
Watch it. Watch out, Jake, you're leaving yourself open.
- Hands up. Hands up! - Careful.
(bell)
Touch gloves.
- (Ali) You've got this. - (Whitaker) Go, Cole. He's got nothing left.
(Loo) Let's go, Jake.
(Ali) That's it, Jake. Make him come to you.
- (Loo) Nice. Nice! - Nice, Jake!
- Cole, get outta there. - (Ali) Go! Yes!
- Yeah! Stay down. - Yeah, Jake!
- One, two... - (Whitaker) Get up, man.
You're the champ. Come on.
...five, six, seven, eight. - He wants some more!
Box.
(Ali) There you go! Step around.
Here we go.
You got him, Jake. This is your time.
- (Whitaker) Cole! Come on! - (Ali) Yes!
What the hell are you doing?
- Come on, Huard. - Work him. He's going down.
Just work the body.
Let's go. 30 seconds.
Go for it.
Come on, Jake.
He's getting tired, Jake. You've gotta go for it. Go for it.
(Ali) 20 seconds, Huard.
Come on, Huard. Yeah!
Keep your rhythm. Keep your rhythm.
Get outta the corner.
(Loo) Ten seconds, Jake. You gotta take him out now.
Come on, Huard.
- (Loo) Go after him, Jake. - (Ali) Go, go, go!
- (bell) - Break. Break.
(Loo) Great fight, Jake.
Yeah, that kid Huard's a tough kid.
- Go on, Jake! - That's my boy right there.
That's my boy.
OK. Fighters to the centre.
Fighters to the centre. Let's go.
- Out the way. - Let me get a shot.
Sorry, man.
I told you. Hell of a fight.
Yeah, number one, baby. Yeah, number one.
You did great.
(crowd chanting. "Jake! Jake!")
- Good job, man. - Good job, Huard.
- Good job, man. - Good job, Jake. Good fight.
(man) Midshipman Huard, please stand.
Mr. Huard, this review board finds you guilty of insubordination.
Sir, yes, sir.
However, based on the recommendation of your company commander,
this board has decided to retain you.
Your punishment will be 95 days' restriction and 95 demerits.
Punishment will commence immediately upon your return from summer cruise.
Is that understood?
Sir, yes, sir.
Congratulations, Midshipman Huard.
Thank you, sir.
Class of 2008.
Congratulations. You just completed your plebe year.
(all) Plebes no more!
Your summer leave starts...
- Now! - (all cheer)
Three more years, man.
I'll see you, man.
- Congratulations, Jake. - Thank you, ma'am.
- Any plans before your summer cruise? - Uh, yeah.
I think I might go over to Sir Frankie's and see if there are any escorts around.
- Really? - Yeah.
Save your money.
- Plebes no more. - Plebes no more.
- I'll see you at Sir Frankie's. - You got it.
Sir.
I want to thank you.
- For what? - For helping me with the review board.
It wasn't about you, Huard. That was about this academy.
Good luck out there.
Sir.
What do you think would have happened if that fight went another round?
You really want to find out?
Come join me in the Marines.