cupey alto
08-22-2007, 04:40 PM
THE FILM
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Ali was angered over his loss to Jim Jeffries in the fantasy fights and sued Woroner for $1 million for defamation of character. The lawsuit was settled when Woroner offered to pay Ali $10,000 to participate in a filmed version of his radio fantasy fights in which Ali would fight Marciano. Ali, who had been stripped of his heavyweight title and American boxing license three years prior, agreed on the condition that he would also receive a cut of the film's profits. Marciano also agreed to participate with a similar deal. The same formulas were used again and entered into the NCR 315. In 1969, filming began in a <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Miami</st1:place></st1:City> studio.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Marciano, who had been retired for almost 13 years, lost over 50 pounds and wore a toupee in order to look as he did in his prime. Even for a "fake" fight, Marciano and Ali really looked forward to meeting each other and getting back in the ring.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The two fighters sparred for about 70 to 75 rounds, which were later spliced together according to the computer's findings which had not yet been determined. Every probable scenario was filmed. The final outcome would not be revealed to anyone until the release of the film. Braddock, Louis, Schmeling, Sharkey and Walcott also recorded commentary to be used in the film. Marciano died in a plane crash three weeks after filming wrapped.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
On January 20, 1970, the fight was shown only once in 1500 theaters over closed-circuit television in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>, and throughout <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>. It grossed $5 million. The computer had determined that Marciano would knock Ali out in the 13th round and the film was edited to present that outcome. All prints of the fight except one were supposed to be immediately destroyed, per Woroner's stipulation. However, many theaters played the show long after January 20th.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
After watching the film, Ali reportedly said "That computer was made in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alabama</st1:place></st1:State>," joking that Marciano was favored because he was white.
<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2007081401"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=353652&source=3&autoplay=false&file_type=flv&player_width=640&player_height=480"></script><div id="blip_movie_content_353652"><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Mrpcpro-THESUPERFIGHTMARCIANOVsALI194.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_353652(); return false;"><img title="Click to play" alt="Video thumbnail. Click to play." src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Mrpcpro-THESUPERFIGHTMARCIANOVsALI194.flv.jpg" border="0" title="Click To Play" /></a><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Mrpcpro-THESUPERFIGHTMARCIANOVsALI194.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_353652(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div><script type="text/javascript"> play_blip_movie_353652();</script> </center>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Ali was angered over his loss to Jim Jeffries in the fantasy fights and sued Woroner for $1 million for defamation of character. The lawsuit was settled when Woroner offered to pay Ali $10,000 to participate in a filmed version of his radio fantasy fights in which Ali would fight Marciano. Ali, who had been stripped of his heavyweight title and American boxing license three years prior, agreed on the condition that he would also receive a cut of the film's profits. Marciano also agreed to participate with a similar deal. The same formulas were used again and entered into the NCR 315. In 1969, filming began in a <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Miami</st1:place></st1:City> studio.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Marciano, who had been retired for almost 13 years, lost over 50 pounds and wore a toupee in order to look as he did in his prime. Even for a "fake" fight, Marciano and Ali really looked forward to meeting each other and getting back in the ring.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The two fighters sparred for about 70 to 75 rounds, which were later spliced together according to the computer's findings which had not yet been determined. Every probable scenario was filmed. The final outcome would not be revealed to anyone until the release of the film. Braddock, Louis, Schmeling, Sharkey and Walcott also recorded commentary to be used in the film. Marciano died in a plane crash three weeks after filming wrapped.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
On January 20, 1970, the fight was shown only once in 1500 theaters over closed-circuit television in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>, and throughout <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>. It grossed $5 million. The computer had determined that Marciano would knock Ali out in the 13th round and the film was edited to present that outcome. All prints of the fight except one were supposed to be immediately destroyed, per Woroner's stipulation. However, many theaters played the show long after January 20th.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
After watching the film, Ali reportedly said "That computer was made in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alabama</st1:place></st1:State>," joking that Marciano was favored because he was white.
<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2007081401"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=353652&source=3&autoplay=false&file_type=flv&player_width=640&player_height=480"></script><div id="blip_movie_content_353652"><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Mrpcpro-THESUPERFIGHTMARCIANOVsALI194.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_353652(); return false;"><img title="Click to play" alt="Video thumbnail. Click to play." src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Mrpcpro-THESUPERFIGHTMARCIANOVsALI194.flv.jpg" border="0" title="Click To Play" /></a><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Mrpcpro-THESUPERFIGHTMARCIANOVsALI194.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_353652(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div><script type="text/javascript"> play_blip_movie_353652();</script> </center>