50 Cent’s new show “Fightland” rides a wave of boxing nostalgia | CNN

The new Starz drama is set in the underworld of British boxing and boasts a cast of talented British actors including Howard Charles as Maduka “Duke” Kilroy who climbs to the top of the sport before tragedy strikes, motivating him to seek revenge against those he believes are responsible. But for some in the US the hook might be rapper turned Hollywood power player Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who serves as an executive producer. It’s a world Jackson is familiar with. In 2012, he got into boxing promotion with his company SMS Promotions before it dissolved in 2015 after filing for bankruptcy. Jackson has thoughts on why boxing holds such a central place in culture. “I think it goes all the way back to Rome,” he said in an interview. “It’s the gladiators, it’s our modern-day version of it.” Jackson believes audiences are attracted to the discipline it takes to be successful in the sport and noted that “it’s the only sport that you can’t pass anyone the ball.” American culture has long loved a boxing storyline. “Fightland,” which premieres Friday, comes as buzz begins to build around the Sylvester Stallone bio-pic “I Play Rocky.” The film stars Anth