Weaker entry in the Blaxploitation genre, but still one of the earlier films and has genre staple Fred Williamson. Has the same generic scenes with mobsters, people beating each other up, nudity and the general genre clichés. But story line is simply boring. Boxing scenes add a bit of color and interest. Not worth watching unless you are a student of the Blaxploitation genre.

Rugged dock worker turned champion boxer B.J. Hammer (the almighty Fred Williamson in prime macho form) excels in the ring and rises to the top. However, things go sour when the local syndicate tells Hammer to take a dive in his next major fight. Director Bruce D. Clark, working from a compact script by Charles Johnson, maintains a constant brisk pace and makes neat use of the gritty urban locations while delivering plenty of rousing rough'n'ready fisticuffs and a generous sprinkling of tasty female nudity. Of course, Fred's smooth charisma and easygoing personality holds the picture together. The sturdy cast of familiar B-pic faces helps a lot: the lovely Vonetta McGhee as B.J.'s smart and loyal girlfriend Lois, the ever-reliable William Smith as vicious enforcer Brenner, Bernie Hamilton as helpful detective Davis, Charles Lampkin as slick top hood Big Sid, Elizabeth Harding as Sid's cheap floozy main squeeze Rhoda, Mel Stewart as tough venerable trainer Professor, D'Urville Martin as hip pool player Sonny, Stack Pierce as warehouse foreman Roughhouse, and John Quade as belligerent jerk Riley. The gorgeous Marilyn Joi burns up the screen in her film debut as a foxy exotic dancer. Robert Steadman's sharp cinematography makes cool and exciting occasional use of a hand-held camera. Soulman Solomon Burke's funky score hits the get-down groovy spot. Recommended viewing for fans of the Hammer.

Fred Williamson is B.J. Hammer, a cool cat who gets involved in a shady boxing career in one of his lesser blacksploitation movies. Williamson fans will still like it though as it moves at a fairly fast pace. Also stars Marilyn Joi (here billed as Tracey King) in her first film role. I guess if i could sum it up, it would be servicable enough, but instantly forgetable like Chinese food.My Grade:C-Where I saw it: Showtime ExtremeEye Candy: Nawana Davis (Mary/Breasts), Elizabeth Harding (Rhonda/full frontal), Marilyn Joi ("black magic" woman/breasts), Vonetta McGee (Lois/buns)

Let's be honest about this one. Only reason I watched this is because it's from the director of the notorious "Galaxy of Terror" (1981, a horror/sci-fi B-movie with LOTS of fun!!!!).Not being a fan of exploitation, even though I love extreme cinema, I have seen none or few blaxploitation films. Anyway, I think this could be characterized as such. It is a boxing/crime film with violence, nudity, boxing, lots of black people and fight-action. Soundtrack is mostly funky 70's stuff which I normally hate, but fit well in here and builds cozy atmosphere. Anyway, this movie is NO good, but it's got one single good thing in common with "Galaxy of Terror" : fast pace. Maybe after all its a decent film for a cheap genre, I don't know.recommended to blaxploitation fans and/or completists