Muhammad Ali Vs Rocky Marciano "The Super Fight" N.Y.1969.

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Boxing Cassius Cla Cleveland Foreman Frazier Knockouts Lennox Lewis Marciano Muhammad Ali Spinx Tyson Williams
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`The Super Fight` was a fictional 1969 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano. At the time, Ali and Marciano were the only undefeated heavyweight champions in history and fans often debated who would win had they met in their primes. Ali and Marciano were filmed acting out every possible scenario in a fight and the result was then determined using probability formulas entered into a computer. The final fight was only shown once in selected cinemas around the world and later released as a DVD.
In 1967, radio producer Murray Woroner had the idea of determining the all-time great heavyweight champion of the world in a series of fantasy fights between boxing champions of different eras. Woroner sent out a survey to 250 boxing experts and writers to help determine which boxers would be used in the imaginary fights. Woroner picked the first round of fantasy matches to be:
Jack Dempsey vs. Gentleman Jim Corbett
John L. Sullivan vs. Jim Braddock
Bob Fitzsimmons vs. Jack Sharkey
Jim Jeffries vs. Jersey Joe Walcott
Joe Louis vs. Jess Willard
Max Baer vs. Jack Johnson
Rocky Marciano vs. Gene Tunney
Muhammad Ali vs. Max Schmeling
Punch-by-punch details of the boxer's records during their prime were entered into an NCR 315 computer. Also their strengths, weaknesses, fighting styles and patterns and other factors and scenarios that the boxers could go through were converted into formulas. The NCR-315 with 20K of memory was supplied by SPS (Systems Programming Services), an independent service bureau in Miami Fla. The algorithms was supplied by an NCR mathematician, and programming was done in Fortran by an employee of SPS. Hank Meyer, President and salesman with a one other partner in SPS, was instrumental in setting this competition up, and contended at the time that it was his idea. The actual running of the software was done the night before each broadcast round of the 'computer championship' and took approximately 45 minutes to run, the ouptut was a formatted report containing a series of codes describing each punch. This was then written to magnetic tape, the tape was then manually transferred to a Univac 1005 and printed. This early form of "foot-powered" networking was referred to as sneakernet, the reason for doing this was cost, it was cheaper to print on a 1005 than the 315. This took place in early 1968; the NCR 315 was a state-of-the-art computer at the time.
The outcomes were then staged as radio plays with Woroner and radio announcer Guy LeBow as the commentators. The fantasy fights were broadcast worldwide. Even the boxers who were still alive at the time listened to the programs and some of them participated as commentators. After the series of elimination rounds, the final fight was between Dempsey and Marciano. Marciano defeated Dempsey and was considered to be the all-time greatest heavyweight champion by the computer. Woroner awarded the real Marciano a gold and diamond championship belt worth $10,000.
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 Miami studio.
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.

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 [1].
On January 20, 1970, the fight was shown only once in 1500 theaters over closed-circuit television in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. 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.

After watching the film, Ali reportedly said "That computer was made in Alabama," joking that Marciano was favored because he was white.[2]

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Comments on

Muhammad Ali Vs Rocky Marciano "The Super Fight" N.Y.1969.

25 Comments | Add Comment
  • i like both ...

    i like both fighters so much I dont want to even talk about who would win in a fight at their "prime"

    By Notaloner [Affiliate User] 1212273154 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Sorry but this is a ...

    Sorry but this is a joke, ali would take apart Marciano. Did you see those slow ass body punches that Marciano was throwing while Ali was just standing there, well in real life Ali would have hit him with about a 5-6 punch combo right there and mo0ved away by the time Marciano went to counter, then when he turned to look for Ali he would get cracked. This is really ridiculous.

    By Caponis [Affiliate User] 1212261386 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Once thing that a ...

    Once thing that a computer cant calculate is HEART, and ALI had it in spades. He could FIND a way to win, against an opponent who was stronger than he. The world has seen it (rope-a-dope, etc) And NO ONE had quicker hand speed than Ali. He could have won.

    By mrpentium [Affiliate User] 1212226838 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Not really, but it ...

    Not really, but it was a nice effort. In all seriousness no matter what you think it's impossible to tell so why do people try to find out? Because they have nothing better to do. Rocky and Ali were great fighters. Two completely different styles. I think Ali would of won. A lot of people agree. A lot of people also say Rocky would of won. In the end it doesn't matter because none of you would of beat either of them in or out of their prime. In fact, I bet Ali in 2008 could beat most of you. :(

    By Amir883 [Affiliate User] 1212215698 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • finally someone ...

    finally someone posted a comment that makes sense. thank u nastylefthook1

    By ericcartmanez [Affiliate User] 1212129720 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • marciano had a bit ...

    marciano had a bit more endurance than frazier,but not by much,,was a harder puncher and his defensive ability was better,,both bobbed and weaved but marciano hid behind his shoulders better and used a lateral weave which frazier didnt,,marciano was tough to land a clean shot on,,marciano had much the same ability to punish cassius clay just like frazier did,the only chance cassius clay would have to avoid a beating,if both in their prime,,would be a large 21x21 foot ring,,to run and hide in

    By nastylefthook1 [Affiliate User] 1212121365 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • if joe frazier at ...

    if joe frazier at 511 202 could beat the snot out of cassius clay,,hurtly badly in 10,11 and 15,,clay was only 29 years old,,what makes any one think marciano couldnt handle clay,,marciano was 510 1/2 188,,and easily could have come in at 200,,,and dont sell that wolf ticket that clay hadnt fought in three years,,he was fine as his two tune up bouts proved,,hell clay himself said he would knock out frazier and if he lost he would crawl on his hands and knees across ring and kiss fraziers feet,,

    By nastylefthook1 [Affiliate User] 1212121070 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • ali would have ...

    ali would have pissed over rocky all day long.rocky would of had no chance!! so fuk all you guys hu tink you know about boxing

    By dannyboylor [Affiliate User] 1212116639 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • u have to think ...

    u have to think dude rocky was the only boxer of alltime to go undifeeted

    By llumberjack042 [Affiliate User] 1212040642 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • this is dumb a ...

    this is dumb a prime ali would beat a prime marciano i think ali is the better boxer

    By pennsburycheeseball [Affiliate User] 1211983395 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • but rocky could ...

    but rocky could take a punch. and he could take it alot better than ali

    By ericcartmanez [Affiliate User] 1211972941 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Being an ...

    Being an Italian-American, Rocky is like a god to me, but I have to be fair. Ali was bigger, faster, and could take a punch like nobody's business. Ali would beat the Rock inside of 10 rounds. Ali was the greatest and this is coming from a Joe Frazier fan!

    By LEROTHECAT [Affiliate User] 1211962196 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • he was a good sport ...

    he was a good sport about it, but he didn't know the outcome until he saw the movie. they wanted it to be realistic for both fighters.

    By evilrobotchris [Affiliate User] 1211890336 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Great piece of ...

    Great piece of boxing history. It says a lot about Ali that he got involved with this being as the computer has him lose. Perhaps he wasn't the narcissist everyone thought he was back then. Personally I think he was the superior boxer; an in his prime Ali would have whupped a likewise Marciano.

    By glynchandeliers [Affiliate User] 1211868491 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • There is an open ...

    There is an open debate as to whether Ali has pugilistic dementia: His father died of Parkinsons disease, a heredity condition.

    By glynchandeliers [Affiliate User] 1211868279 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • cassius clay never ...

    cassius clay never got knocked out because his chin improved over time,,started fighting at 12 yrs old,,during his early pro career,dropped by two fighters,,staggered by doug jones,,chin got stronger,,staggered twice by frazier,,dropped once,,had a few other rough spots along the way,,his ability to take a punch got better and better,,this is why is now punch drunk,,kept taking head shots,,he turned into a human punching bag,hence pugilistic dementia,,a few knockouts would have saved his brain

    By nastylefthook1 [Affiliate User] 1211827967 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • down is not out. ...

    down is not out. formen never got a chance cause ali was the greatest."dominated" ha this is a rocky movie no one like rocky, he faced the era's best and hardest punchers, and we'll never know but id bet formen,shavers,liston,williams,fraizer all hit as hard or harder tha rocky.holmes vs rock might be better fight but in larry's words "rock couldn't carry my jock strap" thats larry not me guys! i just call em as i see em.

    By dodirty9to5 [Affiliate User] 1211745655 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • It all depends on ...

    It all depends on your point of view: both men got a decent payday and nobody got hurt.

    By kentamitchell [Affiliate User] 1211704953 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • i would give it to ...

    i would give it to ali! even though foreman's power knocked ali out of concious and back in.The only thing that stopped that was ali ability to use the ropes to stop from being knocked out.Ali was a great boxer but in my opinion what made him so deadly was using little tatics

    By Hantmanx [Affiliate User] 1211662352 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • This was the ...

    This was the insperation for the Rocky Balboa Apollo Creed fight. It's strait out of the first movie. Remember, Rocky lost in the first movie.

    By maxwellhello [Affiliate User] 1211584003 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • well theres a ...

    well theres a reason ali never got knocked out, he never faced anyone like rocky! liston was outta shape when they fought, frasier knocked ali down in their second fight but didnt get enough to ko him, and foreman just couldnt find an opening against the more experienced ali. rocky woulda been in shape and more experienced so he would have dominated ali

    By ericcartmanez [Affiliate User] 1211467170 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Fantasy! Ali was ...

    Fantasy! Ali was never knocked out like that his whole career...and there is a REASON for that. Taking nothing away from the greatness of Rocky...but NO ONE could KO Ali (until Holmes in 1980, when Ali was already in the first stage of Parkinson's). Muhammad and Rocky were both too ring-smart to be KO'd. The result of a true fight between these two in their prime: 15-round decision: Ali wins on points, 10 rounds to 5

    By nkosinati7 [Affiliate User] 1211397809 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • you just cant ...

    you just cant computerize muhammad ali's fighting tacktics hes suprising like he changed his tacktic on george forman he would have done the same here and he would have won you just cant computerize a world champion!

    By slimpopo [Affiliate User] 1211297503 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • u can tell marciano ...

    u can tell marciano is 40 plus in this video no condition and the shittest wig ive ever seen

    By ians2cool2 [Affiliate User] 1211284615 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • To say who was ...

    To say who was better would be an insult since they were both great in their prime.

    What I will say is I find myself watching classic heavy weight fighters of the past because the ones in my era are so lousy.

    By mmafighter80 [Affiliate User] 1211205844 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
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