Champions Forever

Champions Forever is a documentary film released in 1989 featuring the boxing legends Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Joe Frazier. This movie showcases the lives of three world heavyweight champions of the 60s and 70s, who have left their marks in boxing history.

The film mainly focuses on the three boxers' careers, from their early days as Olympic hopefuls to their rise as world titlists. Each fighter got the chance to tell his story of how he got into boxing, his life outside the ring, and the challenges he encountered in his career. The viewers also get an up-close look into their training regimens, their working relationship with their trainers, and their specific fighting strategies.

Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Joe Frazier's involvement in the movie makes it a compelling and insightful documentary. The three warriors share their stories in their own words, giving viewers a glimpse into the personalities behind their superstar status. Ali, who is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, shares his philosophy and approach to boxing; Foreman shares his training and the devastating punch that made him one of the most feared fighters in boxing history, while Frazier gives his view on the lasting rivalry between him and Ali, which was brought to bear in their legendary fight known as The Thrilla in Manila.

Moreover, the documentary takes the audience through some of the fighters' most iconic fights, including Ali's fights against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton, George Foreman's Rumble in the Jungle against Ali and his subsequent loss to Jimmy Young, and Frazier's battles against Ali and Foreman. The documentary contains great fight footage and commentary is provided by sports personalities such as Howard Cosell, Larry Merchant, and Don Dunphy.

The film also features interviews with the boxers' families, trainers, promoters, and other boxing insiders. Viewers get to know the people who supported the boxers and helped them achieve their success. These interviews share stories about how each fighter dealt with adversity and how they overcame it to become champions. One such story is the harrowing tale of a young George Foreman, who had to escape from an attempted lynching in his hometown.

The documentary's overall pacing is excellent. The movie shifts from the early days of each fighter to their rise in boxing, the key fights that defined their careers, and ultimately their retirement. Viewers get to see how boxing evolves for each fighter and how they adapt to changes in the sport.

Another interesting element of the movie is the relationship between the three fighters, which evolved from rivals to friends over time. Frazier speaks candidly about his rocky relationship with Ali, while Foreman discusses deep wounds he had to heal after losing to Ali in The Rumble in the Jungle. These interviews provide an intimate window into each fighter's emotions and how they ultimately came to terms with their respective realities.

One worthy aspect of the movie is the portrayal of the three legends as real people who have strengths and weaknesses, dreams and fears like anyone else. Through their stories, viewers get to learn about the personal motivations that drove them and the sacrifices they made along the way. They get to see more than just the public personas and get to witness the humanity behind the sport.

Overall, Champions Forever is a must-watch documentary for boxing fans and anyone keenly interested in the lives of these iconic figures. The documentary delivers on both technical and emotional fronts. Moreover, the message in the documentary goes far beyond the sport of boxing, as it teaches us some of life's lessons, such as the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the power of enduring friendships.