23.12.03 – After you open the presents and take the family pictures, turn to Fox Sports Net for the best sports entertainment on Christmas. FSN and Don King Productions present three world championship fights back-to-back followed by a Fox Sports Net special — “Best of James Toney” show, looking back at all of the fights Toney has had on FSN. The telecast begins at 12:00 PM local, and continues with more boxing at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
The first bout pits IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion Luis “El Demoledor” Perez (Nicaragua) against former IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion Felix “Macho” Machado (Venezuela) in a 12-round fight. Perez’s nickname means “Demolition Man” in English and he has proven that name to be apt, entering the fight with a 21-1 record and 14 knockouts. Machado jumps into the ring with a 23-4 record, including 12 knockouts.
At 1:00 PM, Fox Sports Net showcases a 12-round Junior Flyweight unification bout between WBA champion Rosendo Alvarez (Nicaragua) and Victor Burgos (Mexico). Alvarez spent time in the Nicaraguan Army before becoming a professional boxer and he credits the training and toughness he learned during his country’s wars for the toughness he has in the ring compiling a 32-2-1 record with 20 knockouts. Burgos hopes to prove his place among the current crop of great Jr. Flyweights. He enters the fight with a 35-13-2 record with 20 knockouts.
That show also features undefeated WBC cruiserweight champion Wayne Braithwaite (Guyana) taking on Luis Pineda (Panama). Braithwaite comes into the bout on the strength of a 19-0 record, with an astounding 16 knockouts. Pineda is 21-1 with 14 knockouts.
FSN telecasts a “Best of James Toney” show at 2:00 PM local time. The documentary takes a look at Toney’s career, including interviews with Toney, trainers, promoters and others who impacted his career.
The untelevised fights took place on Dec. 13, 2003 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.
“This is world championship boxing at its best and a must see for the boxing fan,” said King. “This was a special evening, special in the fact that we were able to send our show live to our brave armed forces in Mosul, Iraq and around the world. And now boxing fans will have the opportunity to see this action packed evening on Fox Sports Net. It will truly be a December to remember.”
An all-star team of announcers and analysts call the fights. Fox Sports Net’s Barry Tompkins, owner of six cable Ace Awards, four Emmy Awards and the Sam Taub Award for Boxing Commentator of the Year, calls the blow-by-blow with fellow analysts Col. Bob Sheridan and International Boxing Federation Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd.
Fox Sports Net reaches more than 80 million homes through its network of 20 regional sports channels. FSN, based in Los Angeles, serves as the cable TV home to 66 of the 80 MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States, and produces over 4,500 live events each year. In addition to home team games, FSN telecasts a wide variety of national sports events and programming, including Best Damn Sports Show Period and Beyond the Glory. For the latest up-to-the-minute sports news and opinions, visit the FOX Sports/Fox Sports Net website at www.FoxSports.com.