The Ring with the Red Velvet Ropes - Recap

Jim Figg has just soundly defeated Big Dan Anger for the heavyweight boxing championship. While celebrating with his manager, Figg is met in his dressing room by Anger, whose face Figg has just beaten to a bloody pulp. Anger tells Figg that he really isn't the real champion, but Figg shrugs it off as sour grapes, and they'll talk rematch later. Seconds later, Figg's manager Max tells him that Anger was just rushed to the hospital for his injuries from the fight. Figg replies that's impossible as he just spoke to Big Dan not two minutes ago.

Figg goes to take a shower; when he comes out, he sees that he's not in his dressing room, but instead a well-furnished bedroom. He is told by the valet, Hayes, that he is the "guest" of Roderick and Sandra Blanco, and he will meet them shortly. Hayes mysteriously disappears and Figg hears a familiar pounding noise from the ceiling, the sound of someone working out with a punching bag. He looks out the window to discover that the house is on a cliff overlooking the ocean.



Figg meets Sandra first, and tells her that the police will do an all-out search for him once word gets out that he's disappeared. She appears unconcerned, and says that she and Roderick watched the game in their home despite the fact it wasn't televised. Sandra notes that Jim is the best fighter they've had there in ten years, and he points out she doesn't look old enough to have been married that long.

When Jim tries to call out, Roderick appears and introduces himself to Figg, "suggesting" that the two of them have their own heavyweight match. Roderick also explains that he has had private matches with the previous heavyweight champions over the years and has beaten them all, and the champions have never told. He beat Big Dan four years ago, and the boxer never told anyone while continuing to be the champion. Roderick closes the deal by telling Figg that while all his needs will be met, he will not be allowed to leave until they have met in his private gym, winner take all. As he leaves, he tells Jim that winner take all, but refuses to answer exactly what "all" means.



Later Jim tries to call out only to discover that the phone only connects to the household staff. Hayes explains that there is no outside line.that night, Sandra goes into Figg's room and suggests that he throw the fight for his own good, and makes a pass at him. Figg responds that he's never thrown a fight, and won't start now. Sandra warns that the stakes are different time. She kisses him and leaves. Later, Jim shoots pool and Sandra asks if he's going to lose, but he refuses to say anything.



Figg and Roderick have their match in a ring with red velvet ropes. The household staff have gathered to serve as audience. The fight begins and Roderick knocks Figg down. With his superior speed, Figg gains the upper hand and takes control of the fight, eventually beating Roderick senseless and knocking him out. After counting him out, the referee announces that Roderick is dead. Figg turns the body over to see that Roderick's body has changed from a handsome, athletic figure to a withered, shriveled corpse, at least 150 years old. Hayes explains that Roderick won the title in 1861, defeating the previous champion, and has held it ever since... until now.



Now that he's won, Sandra reminds Jim that he now has everything, including her... as long as he continues to win.

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