Micky Ward, the real life boxer played by Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter, is in hospital after he was attacked by a dog.

Ward was portrayed by the actor in the critically-acclaimed film, which told the story of the legendary fighter's sporting success.

But despite his boxing past, Ward was no match for an aggressive stray dog who approached him as he was walking his own pet pooch in Massachusetts on Wednesday.

Ward tried to stop a fight between the two animals, but the stray turned on him and left him with serious bites on his arm and fingers, according to TMZ.com.

He was hospitalized for treatment and is expected to stay under doctors' care until Sunday.