Back in the late 1960s, radio producer Murray Woroner organized a fantasy heavyweight tournament that included the legendary Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano. The results of each fight were determined by a computer, a novel and controversial method at the time. Surprisingly, Ali lost early in the tournament to James Jeffries, while Marciano went on to win the entire competition.
Outraged by the outcome, Ali filed a $1 million lawsuit against Woroner, accusing him of defamation for “letting a flat-footed slow fighter named Jeffries beat me.” In a bid to settle the dispute, Woroner proposed filming a simulated superfight between Ali and Marciano. Ali agreed and subsequently dropped the lawsuit.
In 1969, the heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, then weighing 230 pounds and in the midst of his exile from boxing, filmed numerous rounds of light sparring with Marciano. Marciano, who had retired 13 years earlier, wore a toupee and lost weight for the filming. The film aimed to recreate what many considered the ultimate boxing match, with both fighters contributing to the choreography and various outcomes being filmed.
The anticipation for “The Super Fight” was immense. Fans were eager to see how the clash between the two legends would unfold, even if it was a staged event. When the film was finally released, most U.S. audiences saw a version in which Marciano won by a late-round knockout, while a version depicting Ali as the winner on cuts was shown in Europe.
The response was mixed. Some fans enjoyed the spectacle, while others felt it was a disservice to both fighters’ legacies. Ali, once more dissatisfied with the portrayal, threatened another lawsuit. As a result, most copies of the film were destroyed, leaving the bout to fade into obscurity.
However, in the early 2000s, a surviving print of the film was discovered, rekindling interest in the legendary matchup. This discovery even inspired the plot of the 2006 film “Rocky Balboa,” bringing the story of the simulated superfight back into the public consciousness.
The legacy of “The Super Fight” remains a fascinating chapter in boxing history. It was a unique blend of sport and entertainment, a precursor to the modern era of sports media. The film, despite its controversy, captured the imagination of fans and added a new dimension to the legacies of Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano. Their simulated clash, while not a true measure of their abilities, stands as a testament to their enduring impact on the world of boxing.
