NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2008 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking reality franchise “24/7,” which captured three Sports Emmy® Awards earlier this year, returns next month with the exclusive series CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7, leading up to their light heavyweight pay-per-view showdown on Nov. 8. The first episode of the three-episode, all-access series debuts SUNDAY, OCT. 26 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), on HBO, with another episode debuting the following SUNDAY, NOV. 2, at the same time, while the finale debuts THURSDAY, NOV. 6 (11:00-11:30 p.m.), two days prior to the bout. All three episodes will also be available on HBO On Demand..
HBO Sports will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as two surefire Hall of Famers finally trade punches and look to put an exclamation mark on their celebrated careers. A champion in four different weight classes, including the heavyweight division, Roy Jones Jr. has always called Pensacola, Fla., home. He first grabbed the spotlight at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, where he was named the finest boxer of the Games. Starting his pro career soon after, Jones quickly piled up championship belts and accolades, reigning as the sport’s pound-for-pound king during a significant portion of the 1990s and the first three years of this decade. His career mark of 52-4, 38 KOs includes a win over Felix Trinidad earlier this year.
A native of Newbridge, Wales, where he is trained by his father, Joe Calzaghe is the United Kingdom’s premier fighter, with an undefeated record of 45-0, 32 KOs that includes a record-tying 21 successful defenses of his world super middleweight title. Calzaghe migrated to the 175-pound division last April when he fought for the first time in the United States, turning back future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins and demonstrating why he figures in debates about the sport’s pound-for-pound king.
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg says, “We are looking forward to presenting the remarkable contrasts of these two dynamic characters. We will again take viewers behind the scenes as Joe and Roy prepare for this important fight. ‘24/7’ is now a valuable franchise of HBO Sports.”
CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7 follows the runaway hits “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7,” which debuted in April 2007, and “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7,” which debuted in November 2007. Newsweek wrote, “ ‘De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7’ is an engrossing look at both a boxing match and a personal circus, and fans of human drama will want to have a ringside seat.” ESPN The Magazine proclaimed the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show,” while the New York Daily News called it “compelling television.” Liev Schreiber, who narrated both previous “24/7” series, returns as narrator of CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents the showdown “Calzaghe vs. Jones,” live from Madison Square Garden.
The executive producers of CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon; producers, Scott Boggins and Bentley Weiner; narrator, Liev Schreiber.
New and Improved Michael Grant Back in November
X-Cel Also Signs “Slama from Bama”
Intent on continuing his positive momentum, former NABF Heavyweight Champion and #1 contender “Big” Michael Grant (44-3, 33 KOs), will return to action on November 15.
Grant scored out a unanimous eight-round decision over Michigan spoiler Demetrice King in his last outing and showed evident improvement from his newfound partnership with trainer Eddie Mustapha Muhammad.
“Michael and Eddie have a real chemistry and it showed in how much better he looked against King,” said new promoter, Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide. “We’re looking to stay busy. We’ll give him one or two more warm-up fights in the coming months and then we’ll begin work on giving him the chance to return to the world stage where he belongs.”
X-Cel Worldwide has also recently announced the signing of former super middleweight world champion Byron “Slama from ‘Bama” Mitchell (25-4-2, 18 KOs) to a promotional contract. Mitchell will make his first appearance under the X-Cel banner on the November 15 undercard.
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
September 16, 2008 – Mexico City.
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
Timothy Bradley Jr., the World Boxing Council super lightweight champion of the world, successfully defended the title with a unanimous decision over challenger Edner Cherry, and Elio Rojas defeated Hector Velázquez by unanimous decision in a WBC elimination bout on a fight card held in Biloxi, Mississippi, on October 13.
The Mississippi State Athletic Commission and the WBC worked together in excellent harmony after having had some difficulties due to misunderstandings that were cleared up one day before the show when Jon Lewis, chairman of the MSAC, and I spoke at length to initiate a future amicable agreement of reciprocity and mutual cooperation.
The Mississippi commission appointed the two ring officials originally recommended by the WBC, and used the scorecards and concentration sheets of the WBC on the boxing show.
Both boxing organizations extended their respect and trust to each other, with the WBC showing its appreciation to Governor Haley Barbour for his support and hospitality.
It will always be a pleasure for the WBC to approve championship fights in Mississippi with the commission’s hospitality, and especially to support the great leadership of Governor Barbour for his dedication to his people.