Originally released as: a documentary film by Sports of the Century in 1970 (A.k.a Cassius Clay); as motion pictures in 1999 (Rocky Marciano) and 1992 (Diggstown); and as a made-for-TV movie in 1983 (Dempsey). A.k.a. Cassius Clay: Muhammad Ali, Richard Kiley, Cus D'Amato. Rocky Marciano: Jon Favreau, Penelope Ann Miller, Judd Hirsch, Tony Lo Bianco, George C. Scott. Diggstown: James Woods, Louis Gossett, Jr., Oliver Platt, Heather Graham, Bruce Dern. Dempsey: Treat Williams, Sally Kellerman, Sam Waterston, Victoria Tennant.
A.k.a. Cassius Clay: After Cassius Clay wins a gold medal in the Olympics, several millionaires from Kentucky invest in him and his professional career begins. Clay fights Henry Cooper, Cleveland Williams, Floyd Patterson, and finally, in 1964, Sonny Liston for the heavyweight championship. In the meantime, Clay has been influenced by Malcolm X, converts to the Muslim faith and changes his name to Muhammad Ali. Because of his religious convictions, Ali refuses induction into the US Army in 1967 but is denied conscientious objector status. The NY State Athletic Commission strips him of his title and he is barred from the ring. Rocky Marciano: A biography about the life and career of Rocky Marciano, who rose from a childhood of poverty through the often corrupt ranks of professional boxing to become the only undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. Diggstown: Hustler Gabriel Caine, just out of prison, heads to Diggstown, a small town where boxing matches go down with no rules and high stakes, and tries to set up the town owner by arranging for ten Diggstown men to fight a retired contender in 24 hours. Dempsey: After years of bare-knuckled prizefights and a disastrous affair, Jack Dempsey seems destined for a life of poverty and obscurity. But when he's discovered by manager Doc Kearns, Dempsey's true destiny is finally unleashed, winning him the world heavyweight title. Dempsey's life became a whirlwind of legendary bouts, fame, women, scandal and a legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
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