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Fight Network weekly MMA & kickboxing programming (Feb. 23-Mar. 1)
| Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.
Below find highlights of this week’s programming:
Monday, Feb. 23
2:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 47 – Featuring Chris Wade vs. Pat Defranco and Frankie Perez vs. Mike Santiago from Jan. 24, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ.
5:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.
6:00 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m-by-12m arena with three levels.
6:30 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and a look back at the past.
7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.
7:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
8:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Live #19: London – Featuring Andrew Tate vs. Wendell Roche for the -90kg world title, plus Daniel Sam vs. Andrew Thompson for the super heavyweight title, from June 29, 2014.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
2:30 a.m. ET — XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S. professional and amateur MMA events.
3:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Frankie Edgar – Sit-down interview with former UFC lightweight champion and featherweight contender Frankie Edgar.
7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.
8:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.
8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
9:00 p.m. ET – Havoc Fighting Championship 7 – Featuring Jordan McKay vs. Andrew Buckland and Sabah Fadai vs. Tim Tamaki from Dec. 19, 2014 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
11:00 p.m. ET – GFL: Best Battles 3 – Highlights from regional MMA, kickboxing and boxing events showcasing memorable knockouts and submissions.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
3:00 a.m. ET – Texas Fight Night – MMA action from Texas featuring the Lone Star’s top prospects in the cage.
4:00 a.m. ET – Rocktagon MMA – Pro and amateur MMA from Ohio featuring the next generation of stars.
6:00 p.m. ET – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others.
7:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
7:30 p.m. ET – – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
9:00 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship: Fight Night 10 – Featuring Allan Love vs. Norman Paraisy from Mar. 28, 2014 in Amman, Jordan.
11:00 p.m. ET – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.
11:30 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.
Thursday, Feb. 26
1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 34 – Featuring Makunga Bunduku vs. Ricky Campbell and Nathan Jones vs. Julian Kerr from June 1, 2013 in London.
6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fightling Alliance – Pro MMA from Florida featuring the likes of Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkie, Luis Palomino and others.
7:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Rookies – Aspiring kickboxers climb the ladder of success in the sport as rookies compete for a chance to become professionals and get experience needed to succeed at a higher level.
7:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Season 3 – Fighters from 18 different countries compete in the 85kg MAX category in Ohrid, Macedonia as they love and train together in their quest for a kickboxing title.
8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, featur4es and inside analysis on the fight game.
9:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show– Featuring Denis Smoldarev vs. Maro Perak and Kenny Garner vs. Aslambek Musaev from Feb. 21, 2015 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Friday, Feb. 27
12:00 a.m. ET – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan.
2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.
4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.
5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.
6 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featuring top rising prospects and international stars.
7:00 p.m. ET – UFC 184 Weigh-In – Live coverage of the official weigh in for UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano from Los Angeles.
8:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Josh Koscheck – Sit-down interview with UFC welterweight star Josh Koscheck.
8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m-by-12m arena with three levels.
9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 30: Genesis – Featuring Borys Mankowski vs. Michail Tsarev and Aslambek Saidov vs. Rafal Moks from Feb. 21, 2015 in Posnan, Poland.
Saturday, Feb. 28
12:00 a.m. ET — Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
12:30 a.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, featur4es and inside analysis on the fight game.
1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: VIP Edition Bucharest 2013 – Featuring Mike Zambidis vs. Harun Kina for the SuperKombat middleweight title from Aug. 31, 2013 in Bucharest, Romania.
6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Patrick Cote vs. Jason Day from TKO29.
7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Rashad Evans vs. Jamie Jara from Gladiator Challenge 27.
10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest. Hosted by UFC veterans Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen.
3:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 48 – Featuring Brendan Barrett vs. Justin Woods and Chris Wade vs. Frankie Perez from May 16, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ.
7:00 p.m. ET – UFC 184 Pre-Show – Live pre-fight coverage for UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano in Los Angeles.
8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
9:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship: Futures 2 MMA – Featuring Ante Delija vs. Ruben Wolf from May 3, 2014 in Opatija, Croatia.
11:00 p.m. ET — Final Fight Championship: Futures 2 Kickboxing – Featuring Mladen Brestovac vs. Tomas Pakutinskas from May 3, 2014 in Opatija, Croatia.
1:00 a.m. ET – UFC 184 Post Show – Live post-fight reaction to UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano featuring event highlights and the live post-fight press conference.
10:00 a.m. ET – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie.
11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters takingon the renowned Thai National team.
7:00 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and a look back at the past.
7:30 p.m. ET – Judo Paris Grand Slam 2014 Highlights – Highlights of the 2014 Judo Grand Slam from Feb. 8-9, 2014 in Paris.
9:00 p.m. ET – King of Kings: World Grand Prix 2014 Gdansk 1 – Featuring Artur Kyshenko vs. Radoslaw Paczuski, plus the one-night, single elimination -93kg tournament from Oct. 17, 2014 in Gdansk, Poland.
Monday, March 2
1:00 a.m. ET – Best of GYM Boxing: MMA Fighters in Boxing – A special look at some MMA fighters in boxing action including Ali Nestor Charles and Travis Fulton.
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
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| ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK: Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. |
FIGHT NETWORK BOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Feb. 16-Mar. 1, 2015)
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Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.
Below find highlights of this week’s programming:
Monday, Feb. 23
11:00 p.m. ET — InterBox Classics: Mosley vs. Stone – Featuring Shane Mosley vs. Adrian Stone from July 21, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
6:00 p.m. ET – KOTV Boxing Classics – Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.
11:00 p.m. ET – GFL: Best Battles 4 – Highlights from boxing, as well as MMA and kickboxing, events showcasing memorable knockouts and submissions.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
1:30 a.m. ET — 8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
7:00 p.m. ET — 8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Thursday, Feb. 26
4:30 p.m. ET – KOTV Boxing Weekly – Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.
8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Saturday, Feb. 28
12:30 a.m. ET — — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
1:30 p.m. ET — KOTV Boxing Weekly – Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.
8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis on the fight game.
Sunday, Mar. 1
8:00 p.m. ET – Ultimate Classic Boxing: Bassey vs. Costa – Featuring Nigerian super featherweight Hogan “Kid” Bassey vs. Brooklyn favorite Carmelo Costa from Oct. 31, 1958 in New York City’s famed Madison Square Gardeb.
Monday, Mar. 2
1:00 a.m. ET – Best of GYM Boxing: MMA Fighters in Boxing – A special look at some MMA fighters in boxing including Ali Nestor and Travis Fulton.
Information:
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
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| ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK: Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
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Trainer Joe Goossen high on Cuban prospect Marcos Forestal
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CORK, Ireland (Feb. 23, 2015) – Veteran boxing trainerJoe Goossen is high on Cuban super bantamweight prospect Marcos Forestal (1-0, 1 KO), especially after the former amateur star’s professional debut February 13, in which he put 56-fight veteran Ignac “The Test” Kassai to sleep in the second round of their fight in Queens, New York.
M-1 Challenge 55: In Memory of Guram Gugenishvili: OFFICIAL RESULTS
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Nancy Schultz, Mike Finn, Andy Hamilton, Richard Immel, A.L. Haizlip, Shane Sparks, Chad Leistikow, Jeff Murphy on Sat’s Takedown RADIO!
The Fight Network presents Takedown Radio broadcasting from the Brute Studios as Kemin Industries and 04 Water/ Blue 04 Water introduces Takedown Wrestling Radio, taking the pulse of America’s sport!
Join Scott Casber, Jeff Murphy, Tony Hager, Tim Harms, Steve Foster and Brad Johnson this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST/ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST live on KXNO.com, TakedownRadio.com and IHeartRadio.com.
Enter our Takedown Sportswear Super Sunday Singlet giveaway for a chance to win a singlet every Sunday of the year by following us on Facebook atfacebook.com/TakedownWrestling and on Twitter at @Takedownradio @Takedownsportswear
It’s our annual Season in Review with some of the best writers and members of the media offering their opinions on the season to date.
9:00 a.m. – Adidas Wrestling Hot Seat- Austin Bennett- NAIA Events Manager
9:20 a.m. – Asics Corner— Media Round Table 1 with
Des Moines Register’s Andy Hamilton, WIN Magazine’s Mike Finn and USA Wrestling’s Richard Immel
10:00 a.m. – Sunflower Wrestling Guest of the week Nancy Schultz– and the heart will go on. The widow of David Schultz has a special announcement regarding the of the Long awaited Documentary on the Life of the Late Dave Schultz takes a look back on her life and that difficult moment than changed everything.
10:20 a.m. – Dollamur Mats Flexi Connect– Media Round Table 2 with
Respected announcer A.L. Haizlip, Voice of the Big 10 Network- Shane Sparks, Des Moines Register reporter Chad Leistikow,
10:45 a.m. – Kemin Report with Jeff Murphy- with the What’s happened and what’s to come on the collegiate
10:50 AM – Amy Ruble VP Marketing General Manager Wildrose Casinos
For contests and conversation use 866-333-5966 or 515-204-5966 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST Listen to the show on radio, computer, blackberry or iPhone on the I Heart Radio app, KXNO.com or on Takedownradio.com.
Special thanks to our friends at Adidas, Cadillac, Dollamur, All American Wrestling Supply, Defense Soap, Blue 04 Water, Nike, Legends of Gold National Training Center, St. Louis Sports Commission, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, Sunflower Wrestling, Fast Signs, McCarger Works, Fenemore Brothers Tree Service, Rockstar Satellite DirectTV
Fedosov, Dennis, Thomas and Cojanu advance in Boxcino Heavyweight tournament
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Paul Koon to battle Rex Harris in a battle of undefeated Heavyweights tonight!! at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, PA
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SAMMY VASQUEZ DOMINATES EMMANUEL LARTEY FRIDAY ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION
Catch The Replay On Monday, Feb. 23 At 10 p.m. ET/PT
On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE To Download Photos
Credit Amanda Kwok / SHOWTIME®
PITTSBURGH, PA. (Feb. 21, 2015) – Sammy Vasquez put on a show for his hometown fans in Pittsburgh, winning a near-shutout 10-round unanimous decision (99-91 twice, 100-90) over Emmanuel Lartey in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Feb. 20 from CONSUL Energy Center.
Vasquez (18-0, 13 KOs) entered the bout seeking his 10th consecutive knockout against an opponent who hadn’t been knocked down before and had been in the ring with two U.S. Olympians. The military veteran wasn’t able to finish Lartey (17-3, 8 KOs, 1 NC), but that was just about the only thing that didn’t go his way in a thoroughly impressive performance in which he landed 50 percent of his power shots.
Vasquez started slow and was able to pick his shots in the early rounds, but he accelerated the tempo in the second half of the fight as Lartey appeared to slow down. The hometown favorite did his best work with Lartey against the ropes and landed at will in the middle rounds. Lartey seemed like he was ready to quit on his stool after the eighth, but he continued and Vasquez slowed his production in the final two rounds and cruised to the victory.
“I thought he was going down a few times but he hung in there,” Vasquez said. “The jab was going well, but I made a couple of mistakes because I started feeling comfortable. I knew he was hurt after the eighth and my corner told me to step off the gas a little bit and pick my punches more instead of just storming him.
“I thought he was going to quit a couple times on his stool. He’s a tough guy – no one could knock him out. I couldn’t either.”
Lartey dropped his third fight to a top prospect after decision losses to Errol Spence Jr.and Felix Diaz.
“Sammy is a tough fighter,” Lartey said. “He’s really strong. I did my best, but he was just too good.”
After the fight, ShoBox announcer Steve Farhood broke down Vasquez’s impressive game plan.
“It was a very controlled and intelligent performance by Vasquez, accelerating as the rounds progressed, dominating every round and controlling the action whether boxing, attacking or pinning Lartey against the ropes,” Farhood said. “He showed a lot and he deserves the reputation he has as being one of the top young American welterweights.”
Craig Baker knocked out Humberto Savigne in a stunning upset, finishing the heralded former Cuban amateur with a highlight-reel TKO at 1:58 of the second round.
Savigne (12-2, 9 KOs, 1 NC), who had a huge size advantage and was the heavily favored fighter, landed a series of right hands in the first and looked like he could make it a quick night against the undefeated-yet-untested Baker. But the Texan fought like an opponent who had nothing to lose against Savigne, an experienced veteran with over 400 amateur bouts under his belt.
Baker (16-0, 12 KOs) landed a few decent shots in the first and came out blazing in the second, throwing a high volume of punches with Savigne against the ropes. Fighting in a small ring, Savigne had nowhere to go and continually ate shots on a suspect chin before falling face forward to the canvas. Savigne got up, but he fell into the ropes and was clearly out on his feet, forcing the referee to halt the contest at 1:58.
“I hurt him in the first round and I could tell that his chin was weak, I could tell that I could finish him,” Baker said. “In the second, I just smelled blood and I knew I had to go to work, I had to finish him.
“Nobody gave me a chance going in, but I was the undefeated fighter and he wasn’t. I worked too hard to come here and lose. I just have to keep working. You haven’t seen the last of me – this is a life changing moment.”
The 36-year-old Savigne was clearly shocked after the fight.
“He was the better man tonight,” Savigne said. “I wasn’t expecting him to be as tough as he was. I made a huge mistake in taking him lightly. This is something that I’ll learn from. Now I’ll go back to the drawing board. I’ll go back to the gym – I’ll keep working hard and I’ll be back.
“In the first round, Baker hit me on the side of the ear and I lost equilibrium. I was completely dizzy. He hurt me with that shot. He was the better man tonight.”
Claudio Marrero won a dominating unanimous decision victory over Orlando Rizo in the opening bout of the telecast. Marrero (18-1, 13 KOs) controlled the bout from the outset, knocking Rizo (18-6, 11 KOs) down four times en route to a convincing victory scored 78-71, 78-70, 80-68.
Marrero was the more aggressive and effective fighter, landing 43 percent of power punches and 39 percent of his total punches.
“I was trying to set up the big shots so I could end the night,” Marrero said. “It got away from me at times, but it was a good preparation for taking that step for a shot at a world title.
“I’m not disappointed I didn’t knock him out. I underestimated his tenacity to get back up and stay in the fight and I need to work on my discipline so that doesn’t happen again. I feel that I’m ready for a shot at a title whenever I get an opportunity.”
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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 58 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
“MAYWEATHER VS. PACQUIAO”: STEPHEN ESPINOZA AND KEN HERSHMAN MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS
“We believed this day would come, we worked hard to make it happen and we’re thrilled that it is here.”
– Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports®
“This is the biggest boxing event of all time, we’re confident of that. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it and help craft it.”
– Ken Hershman, President HBO SPORTS®
Live on Pay-Per-View Saturday, May 2
Live Audio Stream
http://www.conferenceplayback.com/stream/55574793/BEYR0220.mp3
NEW YORK (Feb. 20, 2015) — It’s a done deal! Undefeated Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) will fight longtime rival Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a Welterweight World Championship Unification Bout live on Pay-Per-View on Saturday, May 2.
Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, and Ken Hershman, President of HBO SPORTS, were made available to the media just minutes after the fight was officially announced by Mayweather via his Shotsaccount.
Here are highlights from what Hershman and Espinoza had to sayFriday:
KEN HERSHMAN, President HBO SPORTS
“This is the biggest boxing event of all time, we’re confident of that. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it and help craft it.
“We look forward to May 2. It’s going to be a spectacular night for this sport and for HBO and SHOWTIME as well.
“The Mike Tyson–Lennox Lewis joint pay-per-view fight was a great roadmap for this fight. It showed that this can be done successfully. There’s a lot of mechanics that go into this when two networks are working together, and those mechanics carry forward in terms of how things operate behind the scenes.
“The fight will be held on traditional pay-per-view, nothing out of the ordinary on that front. We’re looking forward to getting going, there’s a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports
“We’re thrilled to be a part of what we expect to be a record-breaking event. This deal is a product of a lot of hard work with some blood, sweat and tears along the way.
“I took this job approximately three years ago; the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight has been a topic of conversation and a goal of not only ours, but of Floyd Mayweather’s since he came over to SHOWTIME a little less than three years ago.
“I believe that the direct line of communication between Floyd and Manny cleared up a lot of doubts on both of their minds and renewed their commitment to getting this fight done.
“We have had significant discussions as to who will make up the broadcast team; it will be an all-star team with a combination of talent from both networks.
“The meeting between Floyd and Manny at the Miami Heat game certainly greased the wheels in getting through the final stages of the process.
“One of the main reasons why this deal got done, as opposed to deals in the past, was because Leslie Moonves [President and CEO, CBS Corporation] was a part of the process. He was deeply committed to making this deal and was someone that all parties in this negotiation really respect. He was really the catalyst for seeing this through and refused to take no for an answer from any side.
“We believed this day would come, we worked hard to make it happen and we’re thrilled that it is here.”