“Southpaw” Directed by Antoine Fuqua, is a 2015 sports drama that follows the ups and downs in the life of Billy “The Great” Hope, who is the current light heavyweight boxing champion of the world and is undefeated in his 43-fight career. Everything seems perfect in his life, from his beautiful wife Maureen to their little daughter named Leila. However, things take a drastic turn when Maureen is shot and killed.
After the death of his wife, Billy’s life is in ruins as he hits rock bottom, resulting in a one-year ban from professional boxing, the loss of his home, and the loss of custody of Leila to social services. In an attempt to revive his career and get his daughter back, he trains with Tick Wills, who manages and motivates him to regain his place at the top of the game.
Audiences are bound to find the themes of tenacity and perseverance quite inspiring and sentimental, keeping them invested throughout the film. At the same time, boxing match venues and other interesting locations are raising questions about the actual shooting locations of ‘Southpaw’.
Where Was Southpaw Movie Filmed?
The “Southpaw” movie was filmed completely in Pennsylvania, New York, and Nevada, particularly in Greater Pittsburgh, New York City, and Las Vegas. According to reports, filming for the Jake Gyllenhaal starrer began in mid-June 2014 and seemingly wrapped up in August of that year.
Although most of the story takes place in New York, the film crew decided to dress Pennsylvania up as New York for most of the film.
Pennsylvania
Most of the key sequences for “Southpaw” were created in Greater Pittsburgh, a populous area in Pennsylvania centered around Pittsburgh. First, the exterior of the Saks Fifth Avenue store at 513 Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh was transformed into Madison Square Garden for the film.
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While the Grand Hall at The Priory Hotel at 614 Pressley Street is where Billy gives his speech about his childhood, at the William Penn Hotel at 530 William Penn Place, an altercation occurs between Billy and his rival that leads to Maureen being shot.
The property, formerly Carrick Boxing Academy, on the corner of Maytide Street and Brownsville Road in Pittsburgh, was converted into Wills Gym for the film.
Additionally, in the later stages of production, cast and crew members were spotted filming several key scenes in and around Shady Side Academy High School at 100 Benedum Lane in Pittsburgh, which doubled for the fictional private school, St. Alexander. Several other locations from the city of Pittsburgh appear in the film, including Smithfield Street and PNC Park at 115 Federal Street.
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Additionally, some important portions of “Southpaw” were recorded at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania at 711 Pratt Drive in Indiana. The courthouse scene in the movie may have been filmed at the Washington County Courthouse at 1 South Main Street Washington.
For social service scenes, the production team reportedly used the Auberle space at 1101 Hartman Street in McKeesport. The town of Brentwood also seemingly served as one of the filming locations.
New York
Some key sequences for “Southpaw” are believed to have been shot on location in New York, the most populous city in the United States. The first fight scene of the film between Billy and Jones took place at Madison Square Garden at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza in New York City.
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Although the exteriors were shot in Pittsburgh as mentioned above, it is possible that the interior scenes were drawn inside the iconic arena. Additionally, the scene where Billy fights Wills for the first time since training was reportedly filmed around St Mary’s Church at 440 Grand Street.
Nevada
For filming purposes, the production team ostensibly traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada’s most populous city. Billy’s final fight scene in the film may have been filmed at Caesars Palace at 3570 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Additionally, an outdoor shot of the venue at night can be seen in the film.
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