A superstar boxer from South Africa faces intense physical and spiritual hardship when he pursues a career outside his home country. 

SYNOPSIS:

Year 2006. Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa. Glowing lights. Roaring crowd. Pristine boxing ring. CHRIS “THE HEAT” VAN HEERDEN smashes into his opponent Lucky Mavimbela. He plops onto a stool between rounds, gearing up for next action-packed round.

Summer of 1997. Chris runs around his childhood home. After finishing, his father, DANIE VAN HEERDEN, hands a few of Chris’ brothers pocket money. Soon afterwards, Danie asks Chris to assist him in their home gym. Although very much jealous of his siblings playing outside, Chris helps his father. Later that day, Danie tells Chris he would like to reveal something to his son, but not until he’s eighteen.

On Chris’ 18th birthday, Danie explains to Chris he has been living through his son, pushing him hard because he saw himself in Chris. Danie reveals he will support Chris whether he pursues an education with accounting or a professional boxing career. Chris visits a local doctor who performs preliminary tests for his pro boxing license. Doctor breaks the news that Chris came up positive for diabetes. Before bed, Chris prays for the very first time to Jesus to heal him so that he can be a living testimony to the power of Christ.

After a third series of tests, the doctor clears Chris for all diseases. Gaining his license, Chris spars veteran fighters at a local gym. He gets beat repeatedly, losing the ability to breathe through his nose. Chris contemplates whether boxing is for him. The day prior to a nasal surgery, Chris prays to God. During surgery, a supernatural event occurs which leaves the doctors baffled.

Chris builds on his fighting ability, winning his first professional fight against Lucky Mavimbela. He goes on to fight several boxers, which includes winning the IBO world title over Kaizer Mambuza after 12 rounds. After the fight, an entertainment mogul invites Chris to the United States to train and box. Arriving in USA, Chris feels alone amongst all the strangers.

Chris learns through an email he has lost his IBO world title due to vacating South Africa. Adding insult to injury, he cannot box without proper immigration paperwork. His funds begin to drain dry. He doesn’t have much to eat. Chris hangs out with others in revelry, forgetting Jesus in the process. Stopping inside an alley, he prays to Jesus in self-pity. Later that night, Chris receives a phone call from a friend he recently made. The friend agrees to pay for a late dinner at a restaurant.

Visa paperwork for Chris comes in the mail the next day. Chris must come up with five thousand dollars for a training camp. After feeling compelled to give a homeless man some money, Chris stumbles into an acquaintance. The man agrees to fund Chris the money he needs. Chris fights Cecil McCalla in Madison Square Garden for the IBF International Welterweight Title and pulls through victorious.

When Chris signs on with a new promoter, he reluctantly agrees to go up against Errol Spence, Jr. Due to his trainer not being present at the match and mentally unprepared, The Heat loses the IBF title to Spence. Chris prays in his room to understand his path. He begins to train with JOHN CHALIA, a pro boxing coach. At a party post-fight, a man advises Chris not to speak as much about God. Chris reproves the man.

Chris flies to South Africa to surprise his family. During his stay, he engages in the first fight in South Africa since being stripped of his title. Chris battles Shaki Sikukutu in the same arena he had his first professional fight. Chris overcomes with winning the match. Later in the week, Chris and his father relax at a beach, enjoying one another’s company.

Later on when Chris is back in the United States he receives a phone call. He learns his father has been murdered. At the funeral, Chris talks to a group in the church building about what his dad meant to him.

In final scene, Chris approaches the fighting ring. People clamor and clap. The bell dings. Chris pounds into the opponent as he’s done on more than one occasion. He now fights not only for himself but also his father.

THE HEAT