Champion was based off of a short story by sports columnist and short story writer Ring Lardner.
Champion is a 1949 American film noir drama sport film based on a short story by Ring Lardner . Ringgold Wilmer `` Ring '' Lardner ( March 6 , 1885 -- September 25 , 1933 ) was an American sports columnist and short story writer best known for his satirical writings about sports , marriage , and the theatre .