NBC to Air First Primetime Heavyweight Title Fight in 30 Years This Weekend

By: Sep. 23, 2015
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Premier Boxing Champions returns to primetime on NBC this Saturday, September 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET, highlighted by heavyweight champion and Alabama nativeDeontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) making his second title defense, facing France'sJohann "Reptile" Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KOs) from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

Saturday's broadcast will be the first heavyweight title bout in primetime on NBC since May 20, 1985, when another undefeated American heavyweight champion, Larry Holmes defended his title against Carl Williams in Reno, Nevada. Marv Albert, who will handle blow-by-blow on Saturday, called that fight.

PBC on NBC this Saturday showcases three undefeated American heavyweight boxers, with Alabama native Wilder, Dominic "Trouble" Breazeale (15-0, 14 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., facing "Big" Fred Kassi(18-3-1, 10 KOs), and St. Louis, Mo., native Charles "Missouri" Martin (21-0-1, 19 KOs) squaring off against Vicente "Bufalo" Sandez (15-4, 10 KOs).

Blow-by-blow announcer Albert and analysts "Sugar" Ray Leonard and B.J. Flores call the action. Liam McHugh hosts, current middleweight titleholder Daniel Jacobs serves as an analyst, and Kenny Rice reports from ring-side. After the NBC show, live boxing continues on NBCSN at 11 p.m. ET.

ALBERT, LEONARD & FLORES ON SATURDAY'S CARD

MARV ALBERT: "[I called] Larry Holmes against Carl 'The Truth' Williams, and actually Holmes had a tough time of it against Carl 'The Truth;' the last heavyweight title fight on primetime network television."

"So, this is a kick for me, because after watching Deontay Wilder in several of his fights, he's such an exciting fighter, quick hands, long arms - aside from the fact that he is so likable."

"SUGAR" RAY LEONARD: "I'm excited, naturally, because it's been a while since there was a heavyweight champion from the USA. Deontay Wilder is not that seasoned yet, but he has all the tools with height, reach, incredible jab and a powerful and lethal right hand, which will pretty much be his bread and butter on Saturday.

"I'm excited about this, and this is what boxing needs, especially being back on primetime television live. It's going to be outstanding, I can't wait."

B.J. FLORES: "It's a dream come true all the way around, because what we have been missing in America for a long time is the heavyweights, and that's a division that we can really get excited about. We have a card with action packed heavyweights with two different Olympians in Dominic Breazeale and Deontay Wilder; and then also the Olympic alternate on the 2012 team, Charles Martin."

"It's an action packed night of heavyweight boxing in America and there's no place I'd rather be than Alabama this Saturday night."

AMERICAN HEAVY ON NBCSN

NBCSN presents a 30-minute special on undefeated heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder, American Heavy, tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET and Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET ahead of his title defense against Johann Duhaupas. American Heavy tells the story of Wilder's climb from little-known amateur to heavyweight champion, and his quest to bring excitement back to heavyweight boxing in America. Click here for more information.

A LOOK AT THE MATCHUPS

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Ala., 29-year-old Wilder began boxing at the age of 21 to support his family after his daughter Naieya was born with a rare spine condition. Two years after first entering the boxing gym, he represented America in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Wilder won a bronze medal in Beijing, and is the last American male boxer to medal at the Olympics. As a result of his Olympic success, he adopted the nickname, "The Bronze Bomber," and has a professional record of 34-0 with 33 KOs. Before winning his title via a 12-round decision, Wilder had not allowed an opponent to get past the fourth round in any of his pro fights. Over that time, Wilder racked up victories over Audley Harrison, Siarhei Liakhovich, Jason Gavern and Malik Scott.

An experienced fighter standing 6'5" with 20 knockouts to his name, Duhaupas makes his U.S. debut against Wilder this Saturday looking to realize his heavyweight championship dreams. After turning pro in 2004, the 34-year-old won his first 17 professional fights and has picked up French, South American and the Mediterranean heavyweight titles over his 11-year career. Duhaupas, who hails from Abbeville, Somme, France and has fought in 10 different countries throughout his career.

Since representing the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics, Breazeale has been nearly perfect in recording knockouts as a pro, having only gone the distance in one fight. The 30-year-old played quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado before becoming a boxer, and looks to keep his undefeated record intact this Saturday when he faces Kassi. In 2015, the Glendale, Calif., native has recorded stoppages overVictor Brisbal and Yasmany Consuegra.

Born in Cameroon but fighting out of New Orleans, La., the 36-year-old Kassi will be looking to build off of his last performance, when he earned a draw against Chris Arreola in a fight many believed was too close to call. Kassi had previously delivered knockouts in five of his eight prior fights.

Born in St. Louis, Mo., but fighting out of Carson, Calif., Martin has racked up KNOCKOUT victories overDamon McCreary, Raphael Zumbano Love and Tom Dallas in 2015. He will be opposed by Baja California, Mexico's Sandez, who is coming off of a KNOCKOUT win over previously unbeaten Thanasis Michaloudis.



Videos