Champions Forever

"I am the product of a compassionate America," says former heavyweight champion George Foreman. Had Foreman not been saved by LBJ's social programs, he argues, jail--not the fighting ring--would have been his final destination. In fact, Foreman would eventually leave boxing to do Christian missionary work around the world. But before he left, he busted some heads, as they say, in a way that his opponents would hardly have called compassionate. Hosted by Reggie Jackson, this compelling documentary, originally made in 1989, adds several extra minutes of conversation from a dinner with the boxing legends profiled here: Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, and Foreman--figures who ruled the boxing world from 1964 to 1980. The central figure, whose career spans the 16 years is, of course, Ali, who beat Sonny Liston in 1964 and lost in 1980 to Larry Holmes. Excellent fight footage is combined with reminiscences from the champions. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)