Victor Ortiz Steps Back Into The Ring For "Southpaw"

Former world welterweight champion boxer-turned-actor Victor Ortiz has joined the cast of
director Antoine Fuqua's boxing drama "Southpaw" says Deadline.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a left-handed prizefighter who wins a title but suffers a tragedy soon after and must put his life back together.

Ortiz plays Ramone, a flyweight kid from the streets with real sparring potential.

Rachel McAdams and Forest Whitaker also star in the film

 Last year--Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner were under consideration for the lead role--and before that rapper Eminem was poised to step in the ring

The script was penned by Sons of Anarchy creator/exec producer Kurt Sutter.

Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Alan Riche, and Peter Riche will produce the movie.

The film just began shooting in Pittsburgh.