Alek is an immigrant from the Soviet Union who was a talented boxer in his day, but he was not allowed on the Soviet national team because he was a Jew. Depressed and discouraged, he meets two young amateur boxers. As their coach, he trains them for glory.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Klaus Maria BrandauerAlek Neuman | Alek Neuman |
 Adrian PasdarTimmy Boyle | Timmy Boyle |
 Wesley SnipesRoland Jenkins | Roland Jenkins |
 Ángela MolinaElena Gitman | Elena Gitman |
 Elya BaskinKlebanov | Klebanov |
 Rainbow HarvestBrenda | Brenda |
 Daniel O'SheaVinnie (as Dan O'Shea) | Vinnie (as Dan O'Shea) |
 John MahoneyLinehan | Linehan |
 Adam NathanGrisha | Grisha |
| JJaroslav StremienMalinovsky | Malinovsky |
 Michael BeachSonny (as Mike Beach) | Sonny (as Mike Beach) |
 Bill CobbsDishwasher at Klebanov's (uncredited) | Dishwasher at Klebanov's (uncredited) |