Boxing After Dark

"Boxing After Dark" is an HBO boxing program, premiering in April 1996, that usually shows fights between well-known contenders, but usually not "championship" or "title" fights. Unlike its sister program, "HBO World Championship Boxing", "BAD" features fighters who are usually moving up from ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" or another basic cable boxing program. This is where fighters are given their start to become famous depending on how well they fare on "BAD" they might have a title fight on "World Championship Boxing" or could fall back (Ex: Jason Litzau had many entertaining fights on ESPN before moving up to "BAD" to face Jose Hernandez. After Litzau lost by knockout he returned to "FNF")

It usually airs at least once a month, following a "World Championship Boxing" card on HBO.

History

"Boxing After Dark", or "BAD" for short, got its start in 1996 with commentators Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant. The first fight shown was an exciting 12-rounder featuring a then-unknown Marco Antonio Barrera and Kennedy McKinney. Barrera won by KO. Since then, "BAD" has prided itself on promoting fights between lesser-caliber fighters with something to prove, though occasionally well-known fighters, usually those signed by HBO, may make appearances.

Tenth season revamp

In April 2006, "BAD" entered its tenth season with an all-new lineup. Lampley and Merchant would now call only "WCB" and pay-per-view fights. Replacing them were Fran Charles, former ESPN and Fox Sports Net analyst Max Kellerman who receives "something in the neighborhood of $10,000 for each Boxing After Dark telecast" (Thomas Hauser) and former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Kellerman and Lewis had previously appeared on world championship and pay-per-view events for HBO as analysts and continue to do so. This season has featured mostly fights at lesser weights, a "BAD" staple, as well as new theme music and logo. On March 13, 2007, Fran Charles was replaced by Bob Papa due to scheduling conflicts with the NFL Network. Lampley has also on occasion stepped in for Charles.

ee also

* "HBO World Championship Boxing" (a television boxing program airing on HBO from 1973-present)
* "Showtime Championship Boxing" (a television boxing program airing on Showtime from 1986-present)
* "" (a television boxing program airing on Showtime from 2001-present)