In 1964, Cassius Clay, soon to be Muhammad Ali, beat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight crown and “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” became a phrase stapled in American history.
It looks as though 2015 is also set to become a historic year for the sport of boxing as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Paquiao have agreed to fight on May 2, 2015. In the midst of this upcoming fight hype, possibly more important boxing history is being made, as the sweet science makes its return to primetime network television on March 7, 2015 with Al Haymon’s creation of the Premier Boxing Champions series.
PBC looks to return boxing back to the mainstream public and place the sport back on top of the American sports ladder. Will mainstream America fall in love with boxing once again, or have the days of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson-like followings come and gone?
Boxing fight nights used to be something big. In fact, there was a time when boxing ruled the ordinary household television set. Premier Boxing Champions looks to show America that everything you love about boxing is back.
The essence of Premier Boxing Champions is that it will be available to the general television viewer as its fights are scheduled to air on television networks such as NBC, Spike TV and CBS. The fighters showcased all possess a superior fight resume, the precise dosage of personality as well as a pre-existing boxing fan base. PBC has created a roster of fighters with a plethora of heart, backstory, charisma and talent.
Standouts of this list include the back stories of Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs, the first ever cancer survivor turned world champion. Danny “Swift” Garcia, undoubtedly the most taunted fighter on social media and Shawn “Showtime” Porter, the immensely physical, well-spoken American, with a highly decorated 276 win amateur background who is trained by his own father.
Photo by Naoki Fukada
This Saturday, March 7, 2015, Premier Boxing Champions makes its debut on NBC at 8:30 pm, EST, with Keith “One Time” Thurman vs. Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. vs. Adrien “The Problem” Broner. The fights will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thurman and Guerrero face off in the 147-pound division and the bout promises to be action packed. The young and highly promising Adrien Broner looks to make a statement against his opponent in the Junior Welterweight division, as he squares off against 140 pound, heavy-handed underdog, Molina Jr.
Thurman has developed a large following as he is unbeaten is his 24 professional fights, 21 of those wins coming by way of knockout. Thurman started boxing at age seven, and it shows as the now 26-year-old heavy puncher has thrashed through top-level competition.
Thurman handed Argentinean Diego Chaves his first-ever loss and most recently beat Italian standout, Leonard Bundu, by unanimous decision in a 12-round fight. As aggressive as Thurman is in the ring, he is known to be quite the opposite out of the ring, often seen reading philosophy books or driving his eco-friendly Prius.
His opponent, Guerrero is nicknamed The Ghost and has recently lived up to his name for other reasons as the pugilist has not fought since June of 2014, due to contractual disputes with Golden Boy Promotions. Guerrero has solidified himself as a fighter that is willing to go toe-to-toe with the best in the world as he has previously earned a win over Andre Berto, before taking a unanimous-decision loss to Floyd Mayweather.
Guerrero attributes much of his courageous spirit to seeing his wife Casey successfully battle Leukemia. “Boxing is like Disneyland after what I’ve seen my wife go through,” (via Premier Boxing Champions).
Molina Jr. has endured a roller-coaster-like career as he’s won 27 professionals fights, but has also lost five fights in some of the most grueling fashions. Molina was knocked out in 40 seconds in the first round by Antonio DeMarco and since then has been in the 2014 fight of the year, which was a drag-out brawl with Lucas Matthyssee. The two went blow-for-blow for 11 solid rounds before Molina Jr. was eventually knocked out.
Needless to say, the Gladiator will look to take his old school, all-out-war style to Broner when they meet this Saturday night. Known most commonly as The Problem, Broner has no shortage of nicknames or charisma.
Broner’s cockiness, bold post-fight interviews and nicknames seem to be stacking up as quickly as his rise to boxing fame. There is no doubt about it if there is a camera on, Adrien Broner will find a way to entertain most and offend many.
“I am definitely not just a professional boxer, I am a professional entertainer as well and I’m always here to put on a show,” (via RingTV.com).
The three-time world champion is now calling himself “Mr. NBC” as he will fight on NBC network four times this year. In true Broner fashion, he states he will fight “anybody willing to grab that rope and hang themselves with it.”
2015 now has all the makings to become a historic year for the sweet science with its return to network television and the Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight likely breaking all pay-per-view records and much more.
There was a time when boxing really was something to see. The grit, courage, strength and entertainment looks to have arrived once more. Have no fear America, everything you love about boxing is back.
