PROVIDENCE, RI –  "Paz-tastic... Fantastic!" is how five-time boxing world champion Vinny Pazienza described his new movie, “Bleed For This.”

The Cranston-raised boxer walked into his red carpet event Thursday night at the Providence Place theater, side by side with numerous famous movie stars.  The premiere garnered more than a thousand audience members packed into three separate theaters.

"My life… this is the whole culmination. And it's pretty cool,” Paz told ABC6 News.

The movie features lead actor Miles Teller, who plays Vinny, a Providence boxer and true fighter who overcomes a broken neck to make it back into the ring.

"We knew that we were representing an entire state in a lot of ways, so there was a lot of pressure there - to get the accent right. And then the boxing was really tough,” said Teller.

"He could have been a crossing guard and I would have made this movie,” explained director Ben Younger. “The fact that he cared about something so much that he risked paralysis to come back for it."

Vinny's incredible comeback was accomplished with the help of his coach, played by Aaron Eckhart.

"What does it mean to you to be part of this cast?" asked ABC6 News reporter Kirsten Glavin.

"It’s great. As an actor you want to work with the best people possible because when you work with people better than you, you become better yourself,” answered Eckhart.

He explained that the small state of Rhode Island, actually played a big role in the movie.

"All of Cranston and all of Rhode Island helped us make this movie. Without them, we couldn't have had the authentic experience that we put on film today."

All stars said the movie is a must-watch for Rhode Islanders, but also for audiences across the country.

"To be coming out on 2,000 – 2,500 screens next Friday is huge,” producer Bruce Cohen said.