Ali had to wait to see the result in the movie theatre Jan 20, 1970 like everyone else. Over 600 theatres played it and hundreds of thousands of Boxing fans went to see it.
The undefeated Ali's response in Philadelphia at the result:
"I think it's time for me to quit when I get whupped by a 46 year old man and a computer that was made in Alabama." - Muhammad Ali
The Rock Rocky Marciano died 4 months earlier and never knew if he won or lost.
I saw a Stallone interview where Stallone said that based on Norton's incredible physique, Stallone thought Norton would be the perfect opponent as Apollo Creed, but upon seeing him in person, Stallone knew he couldn't cast Norton as he was waaaay too big. Film is about the suspension of disbelief, but Stallone knew casting Norton was asking too much of the audience as nobody would ever believe the 5' 9½, 178 lb Stallone could defeat the 6'3", 225 lb specimen.I think it was Ken Norton who refused the role of Apollo Creed in the Rocky films because it would have meant losing.
Stallone defeating the 6'½" Carl Weathers or the 5'10½" Mr. T was at least believable.
Hell, look how small Stallone looked against light-heavyweight Tarver.
Stallone said he weighed only 163lbs in Rocky III against Mr.T, but man he was shredded.
6' Shavers was asked to go in for a test. Stallone asked Earnie to go a little harder in sparring, so Earnie says he put a little more pop into a bodyshot but didn't hit him too hard, yet Stallone still had to go to the hospital. That was all she wrote for Earnie in the Rocky movies!
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