Nick Benko:
The people, Eddie, the people! Don't tell me about the people, Eddie. The people sit in front of their little TVs with their bellies full of beer and fall asleep. What do the people know, Eddie? Don't tell me about the people, Eddie!
Eddie Willis:
I didn't come here to work out!
Nick Benko:
The fight game today is like show business. There's no real fighters anymore, they're all actors. The best showman becomes the champ!
Nick Benko:
Don't fight it, Eddie! What are you trying to do, hold onto your self-respect? Did your self-respect help you hold your job? Did your self-respect give you a new column?
Reporter:
What gives, Eddie? I looked up Toro in the book. There's no record of him in South America.
Eddie Willis:
He knocked out thirty-eight guys in a row. None of them went over three rounds. You believe that one and I'll tell you another.
First Reporter:
Can he box?
Eddie Willis:
No Gene Tunney.
Second Reporter:
Can he punch?
Eddie Willis:
Not like Jack Dempsey.
Third Reporter:
Well, what's he got besides just being big?
Eddie Willis:
He's got an iron jaw and a cast-iron stomach. Not a man alive can hurt him.
[
Willis tells Toro to throw his fight with Buddy Brannen to avoid getting hurt]
Toro Moreno:
I don't know, I don't know. What would people think of me?
Eddie Willis:
What do you care what a bunch of bloodthirsty, screaming people think of you? Did you ever get a look at their faces? They pay a few lousy bucks hoping to see a man get killed. To hell with them! Think of yourself. Get your money and get out of this rotten business.
Eddie Willis:
Money's not evil in and of itself. The purpose for which it's used is the determining factor.
Eddie Willis:
Powderpuff punch and a glass jaw... that's a great combination!
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