By Srithar Visuasam: The KO Boxing program hosted by leading Victorian promoter Peter Maniatis will reach it’s 300th episode next Tuesday when it is broadcast at 10:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Channel 31 across Victoria.
The KO Boxing show has been on air since 2002 and is one of the highest rating shows on Channel 31, broadcast on Tuesday nights and replayed on Saturdays at noon.
The program will be celebrating its 300th episode at Maniatis’ next event, this Friday 24th of July at Malvern Town Hall.
The show has hosted some big names, including Anthony Mundine, Kostya Tszyu, Jeff Fenech, Lester Ellis, Cathy Freeman, Lionel Rose, Johnny Famochon, Manny Pacquiao, Jeff Harding, Barry Michael, Rocky Matioli and Stan the man Longinidis
In relation to the longevity of the program, Maniatis states “When l came up with the concept and approached the production company T.V.H C 31, the general manager promised me only 13 boxing shows, now 7 years on and 300 boxing shows not out and going strong, it puts me in the life membership club at Channel 31”.
Peter Maniatis was voted Victorian professional boxing promoter of the year in 2005, 2006 and 2008. In relation to future plans, Maniatis details “l am also in the process of trying to start a celebrity boxing concept and live T.V. ringside boxing bouts shown on the KO C31 boxing show in the future… but the network is waiting for goverment grants to transfer to digital”.
This Friday July 24 sees Maniatis present a kickboxing world title fight at Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne, Australia, with George ‘The Iron Lion’ Longinidis taking on Thai champ Ramba M”16″ Sithsiamboh for the W.O.K.A Heavyweight Title.
The W.O.K.A Heavyweight title is the same belt George’s older brother Stan “The Man” Longinidis won when he broke Dennis Alexio’s leg in 13 seconds in December 1992, with the 12-0, 8 KOs Longidis favoured to take out the crown against the 78 fight veteran Sithsiamboh, who poses a credible 52-18-8, 22 KO record.
There will be another 5 bouts on the card (all boxing contests), which includes former OBPF middleweight champion Pradeep Singh and Cruiserweight Pierre Karam. Tickets can be purchased at the door and are priced from $60 AUD.