A collection of media quotes about the “Tough Guys” and the birth of an American sport–MMA
1980 definition of MMA:
“The bout proper consists of three-two minute rounds of catch-as-catch-can action with elements of boxing, wrestling, karate, kickboxing, judo and mayhem mixed in.”
-Jim Isler, Sports Editor, News-Dispatch (October 31, 1980)
*1980 media description of the new sport CV (Caliguri & Viola) created
Later known as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
The Tough Guy Contest made for sensational headlines in the MEDIA: 1979-1980
Meet CV (Caliguri & Viola) Productions. Long before the world was introduced to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the “sport” of mixed martial arts had already made headlines. It’s been the best kept secret in MMA; that is until now…
“The biggest fight event of ever… Anything goes! All fighting styles—punching, striking, kicking, grappling and throwing techniques.” –News-Dispatch (November 17, 1979)
“You’re all about to find out what it’s like: ‘Organized, legalized, street fighting.‘” –Dave Durian, KDKA Television (April 30, 1980)
“No holds barred as Superfighters take over the Civic Center.” –Fran Blinebury, Philadelphia Journal (June 13, 1980)
“Frank Caliguri and William Viola, promoters extraordinaire, are billing this unique sporting event as the chance of a lifetime…” –Greg Stock, News-Dispatch (1980)
Competitors feel it is a “legitimate sport and not just a passing fad… They have rules, regulations, and officials.” –Jim Isler, News-Dispatch (October 31, 1980)
“No one’s talking figures yet, but bidding has begun for network television rights to the finals.” –Holiday Inn Program (March 20, 1980)
“March 20th was more than the beginning of Spring, it was the birth of what many are calling a new sport…This first-in-history event sold out three consecutive nights.” –News-Dispatch (April 12, 1980)
“We are going to take it as far as we legally can.” –Frank Caliguri, quoted by News Dispatch (March 15, 1980)
“All will be geared for the first battle of its kind as anything goes including punching, striking, kicking, throwing and ground fighting, all in an organized ring.” –Standard Observer (1980)
“People have accused us of reverting to barbarism like the Roman Coliseum, but it really isn’t like that at all… there will be rules.” –Frank Caliguri, Holiday Inn Program (March 20, 1980)
“Amateur Boxing shows don’t draw nearly as well as the pioneering Tough Guy event.” –Don Hall, Standard Observer (April 15, 1980)
“The ‘Battle of the Super Fighters‘ came to the Philadelphia… introducing our area to the new, no-holds barred combination of boxing, wrestling, karate, and just about everything else.” –Fran Zimniuch, Philadelphia Times (June 18, 1980)
“Have you ever dreamed of fame, fortune and immortality?” –Greg Stock, News-Dispatch (1980)
“Viola cites the reality factor as the chief appeal…This is real.” –News-Dispatch (April, 12 1980)
“Pittsburgh will host a unique event, sure to be enshrined in the record books forever.” –Local 1397 News (February 1980)
“The event was planned by the Black Belt Barnum and Bailey.” –News-Dispatch (April 12, 1980)
“It has become what the promoters are betting will be one of the biggest box office attractions in history.” –CV Program (March 20, 1980)
“Battle of the Tough Guys, a sport which blends elements of boxing, wrestling and brawling.” –News-Dispatch (April 12, 1980)
“What is it… a knock-down one-one anything goes tournament.” –Holiday Inn Program (March 20, 1980)
The “Super Brawl.” –Fran Blinebury, Philadelphia Journal (June 13, 1980)
“The action was hot and heavy. The blows were rapid and continuous. And the saga of ‘Rocky’ lives on.” –News-Dispatch (March 21, 1980)
“Battle of the Brawlers: Last night’s debut of this unique new sport…” –Philadelphia Journal (June 13, 1980)
“The contestants love it, their families love it, the paying customers love it. Maybe it sounds like legalized assault, but it seems to be catching on fast.” –Don Hall, Sports Writer, Standard Observer (April 15, 1980)
“It was a super idea…After Philly, Viola and Caliguri have plans for Super Fighters to turn up in Biloxi, Miss., Boston, and Phoenix.” –Fran Blinebury, Philadelphia Journal (June 13, 1980)
“Fighting Tactics: The martial arts way of fighting as it’s done in the Orient. Now here in the U.S.!” –Stanley Theater Program (1980)
“The last time this many lunatics were together in one room was during medication time at the infamous Bedlam asylum in London.” –Fran Blinebury, Philadelphia Journal (June 13, 1980)
“And remember, you don’t have to be crazy to enter. It just helps.” –Greg Stock, News-Dispatch (1980)
“Entrants cited many reasons for entering…underlying it all is a sense of making sports history.” –News-Dispatch (April 12, 1980)
“Some of the fighters have karate training, some boxing, some wrestling. Some of them just come at you like street fighters… You don’t have any idea what you’ll be going up against.” –Frank Tigano, quoted by Don Hall, Sports Writer, Standard Observer (1980)
“The squeamish may shudder, but if Viola’s forecast is correct, if a sellout throng of screaming fans fill the Stanley Theater Friday night, we may be witnessing the evolution of a new national sports craze.” –Don Hall, Sports Writer, Standard Observer (April, 15 1980)
