Boxer is one of the main characters of Animal Farm, and he represents the working class of the Russian Revolution, and how they worked hard for a better life.

In the film, he is recognized as the kind and hard-working horse on the farm, despite being abused and bullied by Jones. He is best friends with Benjamin, but in the film this role has been taken over mostly by Jessie. He devoted all of his life trying to build (and soon remake) the windmill, and soon caused him his death. His death triggered Jessie's mind to evacuate the animals out of the farm, and lead them to safety.

Boxer's tragic death to Napoleon is just something he can get money to buy whisky out of, making him very corrupt.