Tag Archives: Ray Mancini

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association to Host Northeast Ohio Celebration at National Qualifier

Leave a comment
Ohio alumni banner.jpg
COLORADO SPRINGS, Col. (March 10, 2023) — The USA Boxing Alumni Association will host two events during the 2022 National Qualifier in Cleveland, Ohio, to honor Northeast Ohio Olympians, World Champions, legendary coaches and officials, and others who have helped shape history of amateur Olympic-style boxing in the region. 

The weekend celebration will begin with a meet and greet gathering on Saturday, April 23 at Masthead Brewing Company. This will be open to all USA Boxing Alumni Association members to gather ahead of the weeklong national tournament. The event, which will be free entry, will run from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The events will continue on Sunday, April 24 at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom for the Northeast Ohio Alumni Celebration Banquet. Two-time welterweight champion and Northeast Ohio native “Showtime” Shawn Porter will serve as Master of Ceremonies of the event that is expected to include Ohio greats like Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Raynell Williams, Charles Conwell, Terrell Gausha, Delante Johnson, Oshae Jones, Mickey Bey, Kelly Pavlik, and many more.

“I’m excited about Cleveland hosting this major National USA Boxing tournament,” said former IBF and WBC welterweight champion, Shawn Porter. “We were like a family growing up through the amateur system. I can’t wait to MC this Alumni Association banquet and have fun just like old times.”

The USA Boxing Alumni Association will also be awarding Lifetime Achievement Awards at the event.

The event, which will be from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., will be a ticketed event. Tickets will be $65.00 and will include dinner. Limited tickets will be available for purchase here. There will be no tickets sold at the door, so be sure to get them while they last.

“The USA Boxing Alumni Association is extremely excited to honor Northeast Ohio legends to kick off the National Qualifier,” said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Director. “This weekend will bridge the past with the present. By celebrating the accomplishments of these great champions, coaches, and officials, we hope to inspire the next generation of champions on their road to the 2024 Olympics.”

For more information, please contact alumni@usaboxing.org.
 
USA Boxing Alumni Association
Created to champion lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches, and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain, and e-wallet.

INFORMATION:
www.usaboxing.org
Twitter: @USABoxing, USABoxingAlumni
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing

ABOUT USA BOXING:  The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also to oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.
boxing

CURRENT UNDISPUTED CHAMP TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND BOXING LEGENDS ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF ONE WITH LIFE REPOSADO

Leave a comment
Larry Holmes, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Maureen Shea Partner on One With Life Tequila
 
Saratoga Springs, NY (June 10, 2021) – Undefeated undisputed lightweight world champion, Teofimo Lopez and his business partners, former world champions Larry Holmes, Ray Mancini, and Maureen Shea, announce release of One With Life Tequila Reposado ahead of his June 19 title fight. All four boxers have joined forces with former boxing promoter and One With Life Tequila founder, Lisa Elovich.
 
One With Life Tequila’s Organic Reposado, now available in select markets, is certified organic, kosher, sustainably farmed and additive-free.  The 100% Blue Agave from which it is made is mature, healthy and single estate.  It is harvested, produced, distilled and bottled at Tequila Las Americas, a third generation family agave farm, Nom 1480.  The agave is slow roasted in a clay oven, shredded on a roller mill, fermented with a natural open-air process and distilled twice with well water in stainless steel tanks with copper parts.  It is then aged six months in the finest oak barrels. The reposado is light in color. The nose is rich with sweet roasted agave, citrus, vanilla custard, cinnamon and hints of blackstrap molasses and toffee; finishing with a mild heat emanating green chilis. The bracelet around the neck of the bottle features a boxing glove charm.
 
“I am proud to own One With Life alongside boxing legends,” said Teofimo Lopez. “In addition to the amazing taste of the new reposado, the spiritual message of the brand reminds us that greatness is possible when you put in the work.  You just need to trust that the universe is in your corner.”
 
Boxing Hall of Famer Larry Holmes adds, “Each partner put a piece of themselves into the reposado.  ‘Hard Work Ain’t Easy, But It’s Fair’ isn’t just words for me. It’s how I’ve lived my life. No shortcuts!”  
 
One With Life Tequila’s Reposado is the yang to the Blanco’s yin, which has a softer, more tranquil vibe.  “Choosing between our blanco, extra añejo and reposado expressions would be like choosing between my kids!  I love them all for their unique features,” said Lisa Elovich, CEO and Founder of One With Life Organic Tequila.
 
The Reposado and the other organic One With Life tequilas are now available online via ReserveBar.com and in fine retailers in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and California.

One With Life Organic Tequila is imported by MHW, Ltd., Manhasset, NY. For more information, visit www.onewithlifetequila.com.

boxing, USA Boxing

Born to box Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini

Leave a comment
(pictures courtesy of Getty Images)
   COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 27, 2020) — As the son of a prizefighter, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee (“Class of 2015”) Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini was born to box, and the Youngstown, Ohio fighter climbed to the top of the sport’s mountain, capturing the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title in 1982.
 
Mancini’s father, the late Lenny “Boom Boom” Mancini, boxed professionally from 1937 to 1947, compiling a 46-12-3 (16 KOs) pro record. Lenny was the No. 1 ranked lightweight in the world in 1941 and considered a future world champion. However, his dream was sadly shattered when he was wounded during World War II. He returned to boxing after being discharged, but his physical issues due to the wound prevented him from fulfilling his once vast potential.
 
His son, Ray, took the mantle and ran with it to fame, glory and notoriety as a world champion. He started boxing young and had his first fight when he was 15 at the Junior Olympics in Cleveland. Ray had thought that he would have to wait until he turned 16, because that was the minimum age to compete in the Golden Gloves.
 
“When I heard that I could enter (the Junior Olympics),” Mancini remembered, “I pressured my father to let me go (to Cleveland). A very close family friend was training some guys in the next town over from us and he was taking some fighters to the Junior Olympics. He said he’d take me there. I won by first fight by first-round knockout and I wound up winning the regional title. I went on to the Mid-West Regional in Detroit and fought a local kid, Sammy Fuentes, to go to the Nationals. He beat me by decision, but I gained my first real lesson about boxing and life: experience is everything. It was my sixth amateur fight and I was told that Fuentes had more than 200. It did not deter me, in fact, it made me hungrier to succeed.”
 
Succeed he did, despite his aggressive style that best suited the professional ranks much more than amateurs. He won 43 of 50 amateur matches, capturing top honors in the 1977 Youngstown Golden Gloves and Northeastern Ohio Golden Gloves. He also won the Northeast Ohio AAU Championship and reached the quarterfinals of the 1978 National AAU Tournament.
 
“I lost a close decision in the semifinals of the 1978 National Golden Gloves to two-time U.S. Olympian Davey Armstrong,” Mancini said. “I lost a decision to Anthony Fletcher in the quarterfinals of the 1978 National AAU Championships and once again in the championship final of the Ohio State Fair. In my last amateur fight, I lost a bad decision to defending National Champion Melvin Paul at the 1979 National Golden Gloves Tournament. (After that) I knew I wasn’t going to have another amateur fight and was going to turn pro.
 
“I had more of a pro style when I fought in the amateurs. Three rounds didn’t benefit me. I never had a four-round fight (as a pro). I started with six-rounders because, for my style, a three-round amateur or a four-round pro fight were pretty much the same for me. Six-rounders were more beneficial to me and that was proven right away.
 
“I knew I wouldn’t win any of the major amateur championships because of my style. Along the way, though, I beat some pretty good amateurs: Darryl Chambers,Memo Arreola, Tim Christianson and Mark Chieverini. My amateur career just made me even more hungry to win a World title as a pro.”
 


His seek and destroy style made him an instant favorite as a professional. “I had to be aggressive, as a fighter or on the playing field when I played other sports, because of my natural instincts,” Mancini explained. “I couldn’t sit back and wait for things to happen; I had to try and make things happen. I follow that thinking in my business life as well, but much like the fight game, you have to known when to attack and when to sit back and counter.”
 
Mancini, who some called a little Rocky Marciano because of the way he fought, turned pro October 18, 1979 in Struthers, Ohio, stopping Phil Bowen in the opening round. Ray fought 15 times in his first year as a pro and extended his winning streak to 19, before he challenged World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight World champion Alexis Arguello (67-5), who won by way of a 14-round technical knockout, in a fight that was dead even after 10 rounds. After the match, then future Hall of Famer Arguello was quoted as saying: “I think my heart is special, but his (Mancini) is bigger than I have. Someday he will be champion.”
 
Only seven months and three fights later, Mancini captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight World title way of a sensational first-round knockout of defending champion Arturo Frias (24-1). Ray dedicated that fight to his father, who was unable to become world champion, due to the wounds he suffered in World War II.
 
Mancini finished his pro career with a 29-5 (23 KOs), which included victories against world champions Bobby Chacon (523-5-1), Ernesto Espana (35-4), Frias and Jose Luis Ramirez (71-3), and all five of his losses were to world champions – Arguello, Hector Camacho, Greg Haughen and Livingstone Bramble (twice).
 
“Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini demonstrated the heart of a champion throughout his career,” said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Director. “Even though his in-ring success is primarily discussed at the professional level, the hunger to learn and grow as an amateur is something that inspires today’s USA Boxing champions. He is another example of a USA Boxing alumnus who experienced tremendous success resulting from experiences and lessons from his amateur days.”
 
Mancini is proud of his roots in Youngstown, which also produced world pro boxing champions such as Harry Arroyo, Jeff Lampkin, Greg Richardson and Kelly Pavlik.
 
“Growing up in Youngstown helped me tremendously as a fighter,” Mancini talked about his hometown. “We all knew what a tough town it was and is and we knew the stories of all the fighters, amateur and pro, who had left a mark before us. Growing up there, football and boxing were the two sports everybody talked about. If you left a mark in either one, people still talked about you long after you’re playing, or fight days were over. So, to succeed in a town like Youngstown, was a tremendous accomplishment in itself.”
 
 
USA Boxing Alumni Association
 
Created to champion lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships between USA Boxing and its alumni, — boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.
 
The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.
 
To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, key-chain and e-wallet.
 

The ultra-popular Mancini is one of the few boxers to have had a movie (“Heart of a Champion: The Ray Mancini Story)”), song (“Boom Boom Mancini” by Warren Zevon) and book (“The Good Son: The Life of Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini by Mark Kriegel) about him.
 
Today, the 59-year-old Mancini still resides in Youngstown, and he remains involved in boxing as a color commentator for PBC on Fox. He’s also been a member of the Ohio Boxing Commission for the last three years. “I’m involved (in boxing) as close as I want to be and can still be a fan,” he admitted. “What I miss most about the fight game is challenging myself mentally and emotionally, and to be able to “get up” and challenge myself physically on a daily basis. To stand in front of another man before the fight, right in the center of the ring, and say to myself, ‘Either you’re getting carried out of here tonight or I am, but one of us is getting carried out of here tonight,’ was my mentality. I miss that challenge!”
 
Looking back at his boxing career, Mancini maintains that he wouldn’t change a thing. “I can’t say I would do anything different, in retrospect, because I won the World title, successfully defended it four times, made good money and retired healthy,” Mancini concluded. “People still remember and talk about my fights and I made it into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the ultimate shrine for fighters. So, why would I want to have done anything differently?”

INFORMATION:
www.usaboxing.orgi
Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
 
boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr. & Four-Division Champion Mikey Garcia to Square Off at Unprecedented Live Press Conference on FOX & FOX Deportes This Saturday, February 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT from Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live

Leave a comment

Fighters to Preview Blockbuster Showdown During Nationally Televised Press Conference Leading up to Saturday, March 16 FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

LOS ANGELES (February 11, 2019) – Unbeaten welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and undefeated four-division champion Mikey Garcia will go face-to-face at a special FOX PBC PRESS CONFERENCE that will air live on FOX and FOX Deportes this Saturday, February 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT from Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

“Errol Spence Jr. versus Mikey Garcia is one of the most intriguing fights of the year and having them face off before a live audience on network television is an unprecedented and unique way to build interest for this fight,” said Bill Wanger, EVP of Programming, Live Operations and Research, FOX Sports. “We’re excited to highlight these two undefeated fighters before they go toe-to-toe in the ring.”

“This is a historic occasion. I can’t recall the last time, if ever, in my 30 years in the sport when there has been a press conference live on broadcast television,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “It’s just further proof of the commitment that FOX has to the sport and the PBC boxers. It’s also a win for the fans who tune-in because they will get a sneak peek at what awaits when these two champions step into the ring at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 16.”

“Spence vs. Garcia is a more than a fight. It is an event that will determine who is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “It is an event that transcends boxing. The legendary AT&T Stadium is the perfect host for this event, where two champions in the prime of their careers will put their records and their legacies on the line. On March 16, the world will be watching and witness one of the biggest events of our generation.”

The hour-long show on FOX will be hosted by Kate Abdo along with analysts Ray Mancini and newly crowned IBF World Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant. Kenny Albert hosts the press conference with fighters in the ring, while Jimmy Lennon Jr. introduces fighters. Heidi Androl serves as the reporter, adding interviews during the show. Spence and Garcia will preview their upcoming FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View showdown taking place Saturday, March 16 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Boxing fans can tune-in at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for more PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes coverage as a three-fight broadcast kicks off from Microsoft Theater with WBA Featherweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defending his title against Mexico’s Rafael Rivera in the main event.

Fight Network

Fight Network joins fantasy sports explosion at this weekend’s Monmouth Park event in NJ  

Leave a comment
NEW YORK / TORONTO (August 25, 2015) – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, is joining the  fantasy sports explosion, starting with this weekend’s special fantasy sports event celebrating the kick-off of the NFL fantasy draft season, at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey.
FNTSY Sports Network, the first and only television network devoted entirely to coverage of fantasy sports, is teaming with Monmouth Park to offer a memorable weekend’s worth of fun and informative fantasy sports activity for dedicated fantasy players and newcomers.
 
Fight Networkis dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, airing 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.
More than 55-million Americans are projected to play fantasy sports this year, up from more than 40-million in 2014, many of whom are combat sports fans.
“The popularity of fantasy sports is growing exponentially across all sports, including combat sports like MMA and boxing,” Fight Network vice president Chad Midgley said. “We also know that most fantasy players follow more than one sport, so there is a need for expert content in every category, including combat sports. We are honored to be at this fantasy sports event with our sister company, FNTSY Sports Network, celebrating fantasy football and introducing sports fans to Fight Network.”
Fight Network will have a booth at this weekend’s event with professional wrestler Eric Young as a football draft expert on Saturday, plus recent International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini the following day, in addition to other Fight Network representatives.
More than two dozen fantasy draft experts, analysts, writers, television personalities and celebrities will be participating this weekend’s unique event.  Confirmed sports celebrities include NFL Hall-of-Famer Chris Doleman, former New York Yankees and New York Mets catcher Rich Cerone, and former NY Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, plus a host of highly respected fantasy sports experts including Scott Engel, Chris Vaccaro, Lisa Ann and “Tommy G” Gelati.
Many of the top players in fantasy sports will compete for the inaugural FNTSY Cup, making selections for the upcoming football season in a competitive invitation-only draft that will be open for public viewing.  Advanced fantasy players will be able to watch and hear firsthand how experts rank players to help them prepare for their own upcoming drafts, while newcomers will be introduced to the basics of how to begin playing fantasy sports.
Family Fun Day, this Sunday, will offer more access to FNTSY Network experts, as well as an opportunity to participate in a live Fantasy Football broadcast on FNTSY Radio, along with football-themed carnival activities.
Hours of operations for this weekend’s event are Saturday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. ET, FMTSY Cup Draft followed by FLEX Draft; Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. ET, Fantasy Football Family Fun Day.
Admission is $3.00 to the grandstand, $5.00 clubhouse; general and grandstand preferred parking is $4.00, $5.00 clubhouse parking.  FREE admission for children 12 and under.  As a special offer, anyone wearing a football jersey will receive free grandstand admission.
For more information go online and visit www.fantasyfootballweekend.com.
 
Information:
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
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, and Suddenlink Communications in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina.  Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes throughout North America, 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.
boxing, TruTV Boxing

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV Continues Friday, June 26 at 10 p.m. ET

Leave a comment

 

Card Highlighted by International Super Middleweight Title Bout Between Undefeated Champion Gilberto Ramirez & Derek Edwards

 

truTV and Top Rank will exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series on Friday, June 26, at 10 p.m. ET from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.  The new boxing series, produced in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will feature a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Middleweight title between undefeated southpaw champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (31-0-0, 24 KOs) of Sinaloa, Mexico and Derek “The Black Lion” Edwards (27-4-1, 14 KOs) of Las Vegas.  Additionally, southpaw Diego Magdaleno (27-1-0, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas will meet Puerto Rico’s Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (24-1-0, 19 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO International Lightweight championship.

 

Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analyst Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and reporter Crystina Poncher.  Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network.  Mancini is a 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former NABF and WBA lightweight champion.  Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, as well as a host, reporter and correspondent for NFL Network and NFL.com. Closed captioning in Spanish will be available for the truTV telecast.

 

The network’s presentation will feature the continued use of “Spidercam” technology, the first of its kind for a live domestic boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage during the series.  “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. The suspended camera has the ability to provide compelling 360-degree angles of the action including the ability to move in three dimensions – left/right, forward/backward and up/down.

 

Follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.

boxing, Top Rank, TruTV Boxing

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTVContinues Tomorrow, Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET

Leave a comment

 

 

Card Highlighted by Title Bout Between Jose Benavidez Jr. & Jorge Paez, Jr.

 

truTV and Top Rank will exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series on Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET from the US Airway Center in Phoenix.  The new boxing series, produced in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will feature a 12-round bout for the WBA interim World Super Lightweight title between champion Jose Benavidez, Jr. (22-0-0, 15 KOs), fighting in his hometown against Jorge Paez, Jr. (38-5-2, 23 KOs) of Mexico.  Additionally, Antonio Orozco (21-0-0, 15 KOs) will meet Emanuel Taylor (18-3-0, 12 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout.  Following is additional information, including profile features, on the boxers.

 

Main Event: 12-Round Bout for the WBA interim World Super Lightweight Championship

Screen Shot 2015-05-13 at 9 32 52 PM                            

                                                       

(click on the images above to view the boxer profiles)

 

                         Jose Benavidez, Jr. (champ)                                    Jorge Paez, Jr.

22-0-0, 15 KOs                      vs.                      38-5-2, 23 KOs

Age: 22 (5/15/92)                                           Age: 27 (11/30/87)

Born: Panorama City, CA                             Born: Baja California, Mexico

Resides: Phoenix, AZ                             Resides: Baja California, Mexico

Height: 5’11”                                                    Height: 5’7”

Reach: 73”                                                       Reach: 70”

 

10-Round Super Lightweight Bout

Screen Shot 2015-05-13 at 8 14 47 PM                             Screen Shot 2015-05-13 at 8 10 55 PM (3)

                                                       

(click on the images above to view the boxer profiles)

 

                                   Antonio Orozco                                             Emanuel Taylor

21-0-0, 15 KOs                      vs.                      18-3-0, 12 KOs

Age: 27 (10/30/87)                                          Age: 24 (12/20/90)

Born: Baja California, Mexico                               Born: Edgewater, MD

Resides: San Diego, CA                            Resides: Edgewood Arsenal, MD

Height: 5’7”                                                   Height: 5’7½”

Reach: 70”                                                       Reach: 65”

 

The network’s presentation will feature the continued use of “Spidercam” technology, the first of its kind for a live domestic boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage during the series.  “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. The suspended camera has the ability to provide compelling 360-degree angles of the action including the ability to move in three dimensions – left/right, forward/backward and up/down.

 

Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) withTimothy Bradley (analyst and former WBO welterweight champion and former WBO and two-time WBC junior welterweight champion), Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini (analyst and 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee; former NABF and WBA lightweight champion) and Crystina Poncher (reporter).  Closed captioning in Spanish will be available for the truTV telecast.

 

As part of its entitlement sponsorship of the boxing series on truTV, MetroPCS will receive camera-visible center ring and corner pad brand placement for each fight, as well as inclusion in all promotional messaging across truTV and other Turner Broadcasting networks.

 

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.

boxing, TruTV Boxing

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV Continues Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET

Leave a comment

Card Highlighted by Title Bout Between Jose Benavidez Jr. & Jorge Paez, Jr.

 

truTV and Top Rank will exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series on Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET from the US Airway Center in Phoenix.  The new boxing series, produced in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will feature a 12-round bout for the WBA interim World Super Lightweight title between champion Jose Benavidez, Jr. (22-0-0, 15 KOs), fighting in his hometown against Jorge Paez, Jr. (38-5-2, 23 KOs) of Mexico.  Additionally, Antonio Orozco (21-0-0, 15 KOs) will meet Emmanuel Taylor (18-3-0, 12 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

 

Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analysts Timothy Bradley and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and reporter Crystina Poncher.  Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network.  Bradley is a former WBO welterweight champion and former WBO and two-time WBC junior welterweight champion.  Mancini is a 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former NABF and WBA lightweight champion.  Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, as well as a host, reporter and correspondent for NFL Network and NFL.com. Closed captioning in Spanish will be available for the truTV telecast.

 

The network’s presentation will feature the continued use of “Spidercam” technology, the first of its kind for a live domestic boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage during the series.  “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. The suspended camera has the ability to provide compelling 360-degree angles of the action including the ability to move in three dimensions – left/right, forward/backward and up/down.

 

As part of its entitlement sponsorship of the boxing series on truTV, MetroPCS will receive camera-visible center ring and corner pad brand placement for each fight, as well as inclusion in all promotional messaging across truTV and other Turner Broadcasting networks.

 

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.