Why did the Romans prefer gladiatorial combat to all other spectacles?

In ancient Rome, there was a lot of entertainment from comedians in theaters to races at the hippodrome, but none of them could compare with gladiator fights. The battle, where people fought for life and death attracted thousands of spectators, the spectacle was especially interesting when wild animals were released into the arena against gladiators. Then one could see what the animal and man were ready to do in order to emerge victorious from this terrible battle, and the crowds of spectators, at the same time, exploded with waves of emotions.