The Superfight - Marciano vs. Ali

The premise here is commonplace decades later, but using a computer to simulate fantasy boxing matches must have seemed like science fiction at the time, not only enticing radio listeners, but eventually audiences in movie theaters. Rocky Marciano would win the fantasy boxing tournament and that garnered a lot of attention, some of which was negative, as Muhammed Ali was displeased he lost before he even reached the finals. Ali would sue the producer for defamation and out of that court case, The Super Fight was born. Marciano and Ali would have their chance in the ring, both in the computer simulation and in a sparring session, to determine the ultimate greatest. The two would meet in the ring and the presentation was if the two were really boxing, but they’re just sparring and that is pretty evident. It is still wild to see the two legends square off like this and thanks to the simulation, it is at least a fairly accurate look at what might have been. The distribution concept here was quite remarkable, as the program was shown once in theaters, then the prints were collected and destroyed. Some owners tried to hang on to the prints to further cash in, but that didn’t last. The Super Fight was also shown once on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, then never shown in public again and the last surviving print was turned over to the Library of Congress, where it remained until 2005. Now fans can revisit or experience this curio for the first time, as Marciano and Ali put on a little clinic for the audience. The entire fight is available, complete with between round run downs by the computer simulation and after the main event, you can watch a feature length documentary on how this interesting premise was realized. The disc release also has 15 hours of the original radio broadcasts on the fantasy matches and some boxing expert interviews. This is a very interesting curio that has interest even beyond the squared circle’s fans, so it is well recommended.

Wow, this is a great two disc set and a must have for any boxing fan! These two legends really go at it and it is a rather intrigueing event. At first it seems impossible that a fighter like Marciano could defeat Ali because of his quick speed, reflexes, and being a technician of the ring and dynamics involved as far as lateral movement, slashing combinations, and ability to take punishment as he proved through his entire career. But, as one watches, they see a Marciano (who surprisingly showed up in great shape for this event) who is able to turn his physical disadvantages into advantages. As the fight progresses, the tide slowly starts to turn to Marciano's advantage (a lot having to do with his unyielding determination). His awkward style really begins to throw off some of Ali's timing, and ability to use his left jab and lean on an opponent. This fight (with all punches to the body being real, and the head punches only pulled back at times) was really a precursor to the first Ali-Frazier fight in many ways. Yet, unlike Frazier, Marciano does't bob up and down in front, where Ali nailed Frazier easily to the head, Marciano is clever by ducking underneath to his own right shoulder to avoid many punches. Anyway, this two disc set also features footage of each fighter during their times, and opinions from others who knew them. It also has reproductions of posters inside (albeit small), but is great to see this extravaganza issued so nicely on DVD! Let's face it, Ali and Marciano were two of the best to ever live, buy it and enjoy a hypothetical dream fight! If only there were more dream fights like this.

Professional boxing seemed like the best sport to let the computer decide who was the greatest heavyweight champion ever. Since the complaint - which still remains - is how fighters from different eras could be "evenly" matched up, it was a natural for some promoter to take the human element out of the equation with the emerging technology. A Miami-based boxing promoter made the idea a reality in the late 1960s with a series of radio "fights" between champs of different eras, with the results figured out through a computer, and the action transcribed for airplay. The success of that series brought the "Superfight" of Muhammad Ali v. Rocky Marciano. Neither fighter was active at the time - Ali was suspended due to his religious stance against serving in the military and Marciano had not been in the ring for many years. The participants met in a sparring session in 1969 where the action was choreographed and then edited for the "match." On January 20, 1970, boxing fans in 1,500 theaters in the U.S. and Europe witnessed the event, which actually had two different endings (one was only shown in several European markets). The movie also aired once on ABC's Wide World of Sports. The hype surrounding the movie included the publishing of a magazine with photographs from the sparring session and leaving the reader guessing on what would happen in the latter rounds. What was most surprising was the outstanding physical condition of Marciano; who had been retired for about 13 years. He was to tragically die in a plane crash months after the film was shot. More of a novelty piece for the boxing enthusiast, it showed how fans then had a unique interest in an emerging tool - the computer - as a means to determine the outcome in what remains a sport truly driven by the human psyche.