The Big Fight Live
Encyclopedia
The Big Fight Live is a British boxing television programme, broadcast by ITV Sport
regularly until 1995 and again since 2005.
and as separate programmes. Until 1984, they were largely shut out of British domestic boxing due to a cartel operated by promoters such as Jarvis Astaire, Harry Levene and Mickey Duff, who had contracts with the BBC.
ITV obtained the rights to show fights promoted by then-rebel promoter Frank Warren's Sports Network in 1984. Until the early 1990s, the programmes were titled Boxing, World Championship Boxing, or shown as part of Midweek Sport Special. Until 1985, boxing continued to be shown on World of Sport, before the programme was axed. In the early 1990s, all boxing on ITV was branded The Big Fight Live. This was a particularly fruitful period for ITV's boxing coverage, as they featured fights involving boxers such as Nigel Benn
, Chris Eubank
and Naseem Hamed
. These were produced by LWT
for the ITV Network, and drew large audiences.
At the start of 1996, Sky Sports
won the rights to show Sports Network fights, leaving ITV with only occasional boxing for the following ten years. Their only networked boxing during this period were a few fights involving Shea Neary
, thanks to a contract with Merseyside promoter John Hyland
. Other bouts were shown on ITV2 and the ill-fated ITV Sport Channel
. Other boxing was shown on a regional basis, but this was rare.
In May 2005, ITV returned to the ring, with live coverage of Amir Khan's last fight before becoming professional against Mario Kindelan. It achieved a peak audience of 6.3 million viewers, encouraging ITV to reach a long-term agreement to show future Sports Network boxing promotions.
In June 2005, the network won back the rights to show Frank Warren's Sports Network fights and as a result broadcast fights involving Amir Khan
, Joe Calzaghe
, Danny Williams
, Audley Harrison
and others. As of September 2007, their coverage of Sports Network promotions was shared with Setanta Sports
, with only Amir Khan fights remaining with ITV.
On September 6th 2008, Amir Khan switched to Sky from ITV, signalling the end of the network's contract with Frank Warren's Sports Network. Later that month, ITV announced a 2-year deal with Hennessy Sports for coverage of 26 fights. The majority of fights are due to be screened on ITV4 and once again will be hosted by Jim Rosenthal, who returned to ITV having previously been sacked in early 2008.
Amir Khan moved back to ITV in 2010, with his fight against Paulie Malignaggi broadcast live in the early hours of Sunday 15 May 2010.
, who returned to the programme after presenting ITV's Formula One coverage from 1997, on its return in 2005. Barry McGuigan
left Sky Sports in 2005 to continue his role as a pundit on ITV. Commentary is provided by John Rawling
and Duke McKenzie
. Gabriel Clarke provides reports and interviews with the boxers. The main event is usually shown on the ITV
Network while undercard matches are often televised on ITV4
. Before 1996, the main commentators had been Reg Gutteridge
and Jim Watt, both of whom moved to Sky while continuing to commentate for the few boxing shows ITV televised in the late 1990s, which were presented by Russ Williams
. Graham Beecroft
commentated on boxing on a regional basis during the late 1990s.
ITV Sport
ITV Sport is a sport producer and brand name owned by ITV plc. It was formed from the amalgamation of Granada Sport, Carlton's sports department and ISN, the sports division of London News Network. The company produces Champions League and FA Cup Football, along with coverage of England's national...
regularly until 1995 and again since 2005.
History
ITV's boxing coverage had largely been confined to big fights from the USA in the 1970s and early 80s, which were covered as part of World of SportWorld of Sport
World of Sport can refer to:*World of Sport made by London Weekend Television and broadcast nationwide.*World of Sport seen on Melbourne's HSV Channel 7...
and as separate programmes. Until 1984, they were largely shut out of British domestic boxing due to a cartel operated by promoters such as Jarvis Astaire, Harry Levene and Mickey Duff, who had contracts with the BBC.
ITV obtained the rights to show fights promoted by then-rebel promoter Frank Warren's Sports Network in 1984. Until the early 1990s, the programmes were titled Boxing, World Championship Boxing, or shown as part of Midweek Sport Special. Until 1985, boxing continued to be shown on World of Sport, before the programme was axed. In the early 1990s, all boxing on ITV was branded The Big Fight Live. This was a particularly fruitful period for ITV's boxing coverage, as they featured fights involving boxers such as Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn , known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions....
, Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
and Naseem Hamed
Naseem Hamed
Naseem Hamed is an English former professional boxer.He is the former WBO, WBC, IBF, & Lineal featherweight champion, and European bantamweight champion....
. These were produced by LWT
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
for the ITV Network, and drew large audiences.
At the start of 1996, Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
won the rights to show Sports Network fights, leaving ITV with only occasional boxing for the following ten years. Their only networked boxing during this period were a few fights involving Shea Neary
Shea Neary
Shea "The Shamrock Express" Neary is a former light welterweight boxer.-Pro Career:Neary posted a 23-2 record during his professional career, including 16 knockouts. In 1995, he won his first title by beating Nigel Bradley at the Everton Park Sports Centre to claim the Central Area Light...
, thanks to a contract with Merseyside promoter John Hyland
John Hyland
John Joseph Hyland, Jr was an admiral in the United States Navy who commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet from 1967-1970. A naval aviator, he was a champion of the aircraft carrier....
. Other bouts were shown on ITV2 and the ill-fated ITV Sport Channel
ITV Sport Channel
ITV Sport Channel was a digital sport television channel, that was owned by Carlton Communications and Granada plc. It was launched on 11 August 2001 and it closed down on 12 May 2002, following ITV Digital's collapse, on which the channel was available on...
. Other boxing was shown on a regional basis, but this was rare.
In May 2005, ITV returned to the ring, with live coverage of Amir Khan's last fight before becoming professional against Mario Kindelan. It achieved a peak audience of 6.3 million viewers, encouraging ITV to reach a long-term agreement to show future Sports Network boxing promotions.
In June 2005, the network won back the rights to show Frank Warren's Sports Network fights and as a result broadcast fights involving Amir Khan
Amir Khan (boxer)
Amir Iqbal Khan , is a British Pakistani professional boxer who is currently the unified WBA & IBF light welterweight champion....
, Joe Calzaghe
Joe Calzaghe
Joseph William Calzaghe, CBE, MBE is a Welsh former professional boxer. He is the former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring & British super middleweight champion and The Ring light heavyweight champion....
, Danny Williams
Danny Williams (boxer)
Daniel "Danny" Williams is an English professional heavyweight boxer.-Amateur:As an amateur boxing out of the famous Lynn AC boxing gym in SE London, Williams learned his trade quickly, often sparring with the likes of clubmates Henry Akinwande and Derek Angol...
, Audley Harrison
Audley Harrison
Audley Harrison is a British professional boxer from Harlesden, England who fights in the heavyweight division. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney he became the first British fighter to win an Olympic gold medal in the superheavyweight division. He stands and usually weighs around .Harrison turned...
and others. As of September 2007, their coverage of Sports Network promotions was shared with Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports is an international sports broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. Setanta Sports was formed in 1990 to facilitate the broadcasting of Irish sporting events...
, with only Amir Khan fights remaining with ITV.
On September 6th 2008, Amir Khan switched to Sky from ITV, signalling the end of the network's contract with Frank Warren's Sports Network. Later that month, ITV announced a 2-year deal with Hennessy Sports for coverage of 26 fights. The majority of fights are due to be screened on ITV4 and once again will be hosted by Jim Rosenthal, who returned to ITV having previously been sacked in early 2008.
Amir Khan moved back to ITV in 2010, with his fight against Paulie Malignaggi broadcast live in the early hours of Sunday 15 May 2010.
Presentation
The main host of ITV Boxing is Jim RosenthalJim Rosenthal
Jim Rosenthal is a sports presenter on British television.-Early life:Rosenthal grew up in Oxford and attended Josca's Preparatory School before going to Magdalen College School...
, who returned to the programme after presenting ITV's Formula One coverage from 1997, on its return in 2005. Barry McGuigan
Barry McGuigan
Finbarr Patrick McGuigan MBE , known as Barry McGuigan and nicknamed The Clones Cyclone, is a former Irish and British professional boxer who became a world featherweight champion.-Background:...
left Sky Sports in 2005 to continue his role as a pundit on ITV. Commentary is provided by John Rawling
John Rawling
John Rawling is a Boxing and Athletics commentator. Currently commentating for boxing on Sky Television and BoxNation, he was the lead commentator for Channel 4 in their coverage of the 2011 IAAF World Championship in Korea. He is also lead commentator on yachting for the Americas Cup World Series...
and Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie MBE is a British former professional boxer, now a boxing commentator for broadcaster ITV.-Boxing career:Previously a highly successful professional boxer, McKenzie has been British champion at two weights, a European champion once and World champion at three different weights...
. Gabriel Clarke provides reports and interviews with the boxers. The main event is usually shown on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Network while undercard matches are often televised on ITV4
ITV4
ITV4 is a British television station which was launched on 1 November 2005. It is owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc, and is part of the ITV network. The channel has a male-oriented line-up, including sport, cop shows and US comedies and dramas, as well as classic ITV action...
. Before 1996, the main commentators had been Reg Gutteridge
Reg Gutteridge
Reg Gutteridge, OBE was a boxing journalist and television commentator.Gutteridge was born into a boxing family in Islington, London. His grandfather, Arthur, was the first professional boxer to appear at the original National Sporting Club...
and Jim Watt, both of whom moved to Sky while continuing to commentate for the few boxing shows ITV televised in the late 1990s, which were presented by Russ Williams
Russ Williams
Russell "Russ" Williams is an English radio DJ from Blackpool, primarily known for his long-running shows on Virgin Radio , and since 2008 on Absolute Radio, the re-launched version of Virgin Radio.-Biography:...
. Graham Beecroft
Graham Beecroft
Graham 'Beeky' Beecroft is a British radio personality currently working on Century Radio 105.4. He lives in the Wirral, near Liverpool. He is a former Quantity Surveyor and mobile disco DJ....
commentated on boxing on a regional basis during the late 1990s.