CV Productions, Inc.

History

CV is an abbreviation for its co-founders' last names, Pittsburgh martial arts pioneers Bill Viola of Irwin, Pennsylvania and Frank Caliguri of Arnold, Pennsylvania. The promoters set out to address the hypothetical question: "Who would win between Muhammad Ali (boxer), Bruce Lee (martial artist) or Bruno Sammartino (wrestler)?" Viola and Caliguri spent much of 1979 developing the foundation for a series of mixed martial arts style competitions. They concentrated on an untapped market by providing a true platform to settle the dispute of which style of fighting was superior. The events were advertised as "Anything Goes", and "legalized striking, throwing, grappling, punching, kicking, ground fighting, submissions and more". Fighters from all disciplines were eager to compete and earn bragging rights. The first Tough Guy championship would take place March 20, 1980, in New Kensington, PA. The company organized a league of events and promoted more than 10 competitions across Pennsylvania under the banner of "Battle of the Brawlers", "Battle of the Tough Guys", "Tough Guy Contests" and finally rebranded "Super Fighters" (Super Fighters League - SFL) throughout 1980. Notable locations included the Stanley Theater, now the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh., Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center.

Heinz History Museum

The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum of the Heinz History Center of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution unveiled an exhibit on June 23, 2011, to document the first mixed martial arts league in the United States. The exhibit features memorabilia from the mixed martial arts based competitions including rare posters, fight gear, press materials, and photos that depict the event. The exhibit began as a display in the front of the museum, and will ultimately find its home as a permanent addition to the boxing and wrestling sections of the Sports Museum. The Senator John Heinz History Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania.

"The Sports Museum has brought to light the central role that Pittsburgh has played in the sports of boxing and wrestling, focusing on such greats as Bruno Sammartino and Kurt Angle," said Anne Madarasz, co-director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. "This exhibit adds a new chapter as we trace the roots of mixed martial arts in the United States back to the Pittsburgh region."

Jacquet Bazmore, Former World Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion and nephew of boxing great Archie Moore, trained at Viola and Caliguri's martial arts schools. Noted as one of the most prolific kickboxers of his era, he also was a sparring partner for boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Jack Bodell, former martial arts student of Bill Viola at Allegheny Shotokan Karate, was at the time of the competition an agent of the United States Secret Service charged with protecting President Jimmy Carter.

"Tough man" vs. "Tough guy" controversy

In 1979 Viola and Caliguri pitched the idea of "anything goes fighting", looking for the toughest fighters in America to enter The Tough Man competition scheduled for March 1980 Unknown to them, Michigan businessman Art Dore was attempting a boxing tournament called "Toughman Contest". CV Productions, Inc. immediately changed their initial promotion to the "Tough Guy" contest to distinguish themselves. Tough Guy events were MMA-style fights that utilized open-fingered gloves and permitted ground fighting, and all styles of martial arts. Toughman contests were purely boxing and used 16-ounce gloves. The companies had no affiliation with each other.