snuffbox 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2006 By Karl Freitag Promoter Bob Arum says the new Top Rank boxing series on the OLN Network will bring the future and the past of boxing to a whole new audience. Starting July 27, the series opens with middleweight contender Kelly Pavlik vs Bronco McKart plus jr middle Anthony Thompson in action at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, CT. The second live OLN card will be August 10 in Las Vegas with WBC 108lb champion Brian Viloria and middleweight bomber John Duddy. In addition to the live fights, OLN will present classic fights from the vast Top Rank library featuring Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya and many other stars. Arum said the first installment in the "Legends of Boxing" series will feature Muhhammad Ali vs Oscar Bonavena and the broadcasts will not only show the fights, but tell the story round the fights. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There hasn't been regular boxing with rising stars on a continuous basis on television," said Arum. "ESPN has dropped the ball in my opinion, because they're all over the place, they pay very meager fights fees, there's no continuity. We're going to change that.....with the budget that we're working with from OLN, we'll have very, very competitive fights. A lot of champions are going to come out of this and I really think this is going to help bring about a renaissance in the sport of boxing." -fightnews McKart is definitly past his prime, but that should be a really good indicator of where powerpunching Kelly Pavlik is in his progression. Messenger Thompson is a decent looking prospect, his opponent, Matthew Said is coming off a win over Johnathon Reid (33-3) and a draw with Antwun Echols this year. And, of course, Ali-Bonavena never ceases to entertain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted July 27, 2006 Reminder that this on tonight. Kid Diamond is also on the undercard in a fight that may/may not end up making television. The Ali-Bonavena fight is not on tonight. The classic fights will be on the Thursdays with no live boxing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted August 10, 2006 Reminder - Brian Viloria defends his title tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted August 10, 2006 OLN = Outside Life Network? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted August 11, 2006 Yeah. No idea why they decided to give boxing a try, but I wont argue against it. The Outdoor folks are paying up $250,000 for each live show which far exceeds ESPN2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted August 16, 2006 You'll all feel better when OLN is renamed Versus. Right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Tonight - The first Muhammed Ali-Ken Norton fight, from 1973, where Ali fought nearly the entire match with a broken jaw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
