With no new boxing shows taking place in the coming weeks and months due to COVID-19, Showtime and ESPN are preparing to give boxing fans some classic fights.
Showtime announced that, starting on April 10 and through April 24, it will air past fights, some of which have been universally acclaimed by many, every Saturday. The first of these weekend slates are the two bouts between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, the first of which was for the WBO and WBC lightweight titles and a modern day classic.
As for the next few weekends, Showtime will air the two fights between Paulie Ayala and Johnny Tapia from 1999 and 2000 on April 17. On April 24, Showtime will air Lucas Matthysse vs. John Molina and Mickey Bey vs. John Molina.
As for ESPN, Top Rank announced that the seven-hour marathon of fights will be televised on ESPN2 later tonight, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Below are the fights that will air on ESPN2:
- Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman
- Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III
- Muhammad Ali v. Leon Spinks II
- Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick
- Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas
- Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks
- Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes
- Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman
Major boxing shows across the globe have been postponed, re-located or outright canceled as a result of COVID-19.
