TruTv is the latest cable network to add boxing to its primetime lineup, partnering with Top Rank to create a live Friday primetime series launching May 1.
The new series, in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will launch on the eve of the May 2 Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view fight with a card featuring two title bouts inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The card will feature a lightweight world championship fight between Takahiro and Ray Beltran as well as a NABF welterweight championship fight between Mikael Zewski and Konstantin Ponomarev.
“We’re excited to partner with Top Rank and our colleagues at HBO Sports to bring this high-caliber boxing series to truTV,” said Lenny Daniels, president of Turner Sports in a statement. “We share a common vision to present these events in a new and inventive way and look forward to offering this compelling content to our viewers.”
Added Chris Linn, truTV president and head of programming: “We see this as a great opportunity to bring more coveted live sports programming to the network and believe Friday night primetime fights will resonate with truTV’s young audience.”
truTV is the latest in a growing list of networks launching live boxing shows. Cable network Spike TV along with broadcast networks NBC, CBS and Bounce TV have announced deals with Premier Boxing Champions for upcoming live boxing cards.
