ERA VI. The Golden Era (1960-1980)
This Era of Boxing is known as The Golden Age for many reasons. Some attribute it to the Heavyweights that moved to the forefront of the sport during this time. While that is absolutely true, it was the growth of entertainment media that opened the door for their recognition. Radio and television broadcasting were as important to the growth and popularity of boxing as it was to the reshaping of our very culture.
A trip down memory lane reminds us of just how often Boxing was available for the public to consume:
Boxing On Weekly TV:
The Wednesday Night Fights (1955-1960)
Fight of the Week (1960-1963)
Friday Night Fights (1963-1964)
Wide World of Sports (1964-2000)
Boxing Movies:
And the Same To You (1960) Comedy - Film adaption of the 1958 ITV Play of the Week episode, "The Chigwell Chicken."
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) Drama - A punchy fighter (Anthony Quinn) is betrayed by his manager (Jackie Gleason).
Kid Galahad (1962) Musical - A young Catskills car mechanic (Elvis Presley) turns out to pack quite a punch.
Legendary Champions (1968) Documentary - Harry Chapin's look at boxers of yesteryear.
The Great White Hope (1970) Romantic drama - Based on Jack Johnson, story of black prizefighter in early 20th century. Oscar-nominated performances by James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander.
Fat City (1972) Drama - A broke, broken-down fighter (Stacy Keach) tries a comeback as a young one (Jeff Bridges) learns the ropes. Oscar nomination for Susan Tyrrell.
All American Boy (1973) Drama - The young boxer Vic Bealer (Jon Voight) in search for some direction in his life.
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest (1974) Documentary - Photographer William Klein's look at Muhammad Ali.
Hard Times (1975) Drama - Illegal bare-knuckle bouts in Louisiana, starring Charles Bronson.
Let's Do It Again (1975) Comedy - Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier as Atlanta men who rig a match for a good cause.
Rocky (1976) Drama Academy Award winner for Best Picture about a Philadelphia pug (Sylvester Stallone) who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Greatest (1977) Drama - Biographical film with Muhammad Ali as himself.
Every Which Way but Loose (1978) Comedy - A trucker (Clint Eastwood) with a pet orangutan fights bare-knuckle brawls for money.
Matilda (1978) Comedy - A promoter (Elliott Gould) pits a man against a boxing kangaroo.
Movie Movie (1978) Comedy - Spoof of old boxing films, with palooka Harry Hamlin managed by George C. Scott.
The Champ (1979) Drama - Remake of '30s melodrama about a child who worships a has-been boxer (Jon Voight).
The Main Event (1979) Comedy - Headstrong woman (Barbra Streisand) owns contract of cocky boxer (Ryan O'Neal).
Penitentiary (1979) Drama - Blaxploitation story set in a prison, featuring Leon Isaac Kennedy.
Rocky II (1979) Drama - Rocky Balboa gets a rematch with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).
Marciano (1979) Drama - Made for TV biopic about undefeated heavyweight Rocky Marciano.
Ashita no Joe (1980) Animated - Japanese film.
Raging Bull (1980) Biographical - Biopic on Jake LaMotta, with Oscar-winning performance by Robert De Niro.
Any Which Way You Can (1980) Comedy - In sequel to 1978 film, mobsters coax bare-knuckle brawler Clint Eastwood into one more fight.
This Era has an additional Chart named THE GOLDEN ERA CHART. This is the Era in which Entertainment Media really added a boost of popularity to boxing! Boxing was often seen on free TV more than once a week. Main Event Title Bouts were viewed by more people through TV and Closed Circuit venues than ever before. This turned some of the more charismatic boxing personalities into Superstar Celebrities and household names.
This chart adds a little nuance to this very special Era. Some fighters will have their Popularity Rating (Pop) affected by the opportunities presented by the Entertainment Media. This can be a great thing for some and for some it could be their downfall! Some fighters will allow their new found Popularity to lift them to higher ground, while some will not be able to handle the new found fame.