The scene in which Don Knotts' character, Shake, cracks five eggs into a glass on top of a refrigerator is a spoof of the egg cracking scene in Rocky. In Rocky (1976), Rocky Balboa cracks five eggs into a glass on top of a refrigerator. During the process, he is constantly sniffing and exhaling. In this scene, Don Knotts also constantly sniffs and exhales, but does so in a very exaggerated and comedic fashion.
First feature film produced by Tri Star Pictures.
According to the March 5, 1979 issue of show-business journal 'Box', the Atlanta mansion used for much of the production was an exact replica of the Medici Palace in Florence, Italy.
This is part of a cycle of ring fighter movies (mostly boxing, some wrestling) inspired by the box-office and critical success of Rocky (1976). Other films include: Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Tough Enough (1983), Title Shot (1979), Raging Bull (1980), The Champ (1979), Matilda (1978), The Main Event (1979), The Greatest (1977), Body and Soul (1981), Paradise Alley (1978), ...All the Marbles (1981) (aka "The California Dolls"), The One and Only (1978), Every Which Way But Loose (1978), and Any Which Way You Can (1980).
The film was shot in Atlanta. According to The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution of July 4, 1979 publicist C. W. Henderson placed more than 150 stories in newspapers and magazines about filming of a segment of the movie that depicts a world championship boxing match. He received a top public relations industry award for it.