Best Damn Sports Show Period Returns With Live Boxing Series

01.06.05 – BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD returns to the ring with the latest installment of its exciting live boxing coverage. Continuing on its promise to deliver the biggest names in the sport, BDSSP offers up two major heavyweight fights during its two-hour show. In the main event, British boxer Audley Harrison (17-0, 12KOs) battles Robert “Desert Storm” Davis (31-6, 19KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.. The undercard features rising heavyweight prospect Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (15-1, 8 KOs) taking on veteran Vaughn Bean (45-4, 34 KOs) in an eight-round fight. The BEST DAMN HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT PERIOD airs Thurs., June 9 at 8:00 PM local from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA.

As one of Britain’s most prolific athletes, Harrison catapulted to instant fame after his victory in Sydney, as his victory added to Great Britain’s greatest Olympic gold medal haul since 1936. Harrison slid right into the spot Lennox Lewis had vacated in the hearts of British boxing fans and now is looking to make his mark in America. Noted for his explosive power and ability to adapt to his competitor’s style, Harrison remains undefeated and looks to add to his Olympic hardware with a U.S. boxing championship belt.

Davis looks to hand Harrison his first career defeat. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, some have dubbed Davis as a “young Riddick Bowe.” He knocked out 11 of his first 22 opponents and his good punching power and strong build guarantee to be a handful for Harrison.

BDSSP’s Chris Rose and John Salley host the event alongside guest analyst James “Lights Out” Toney. The trio previews the fight then hands it off to FSN’s veteran boxing announcer Barry Tompkins to call the fight alongside analyst and Sean O’Grady. Jay Glazer handles pre-and-post-fight interviews.

This two-hour program is FSN’s sixth live boxing special since September 2004. The first five live bouts featured some of the biggest names in boxing, such as Toney, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, Montell Griffin, Julio Gonzalez and Vassiliy Jirov. Each event has proved to be a ratings success for BDSSP. Every BDSSP boxing event has generated over a .40 household rating, with the Toney-Booker fight on Sept. 23, 2004 drawing a .76 rating, the most-watched primetime episode in BDSSP’s history.

Since its debut in 2001, FSN’s BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD has evolved from a cult favorite to become mainstream fare with its funny, irreverent take on everything sports. Host Chris Rose, co-host John Salley, former NFL veteran Rodney Peete and former all-star relief pitcher Rob Dibble make-up the show’s ensemble cast. Featuring interviews with top athletes, coaches, celebrities and entertainers, BDSSP airs weeknights at 9:00, 10:30 and 11:30 PM local on FSN.