Budweiser Boxing Series Returns To Telemundo.

The “Budweiser Boxing Series,” increased from three to five telecasts, returns to NBC and Telemundo in April 2004 as a continuation of the innovative May 2003 series that marked the successful return of professional boxing to network television.

The joint announcement was made today by Kathy Duva, Chief Executive Officer, Main Events; Kevin Monaghan, Vice President, Business Development, NBC Sports; and Jorge Hidalgo, Executive Vice President, Telemundo Sports. Budweiser, the world’s best-selling beer and a longtime supporter of boxing, returns as title sponsor. Details related to fighters and venues will be announced at a later date.

“The ‘Budweiser Boxing Series’ in May 2003 was a huge success both in terms of ratings and media coverage,” Duva said. “Bouts involving rising superstars Rocky Juarez, ‘Panchito’ Bojado, and Juan Diaz were among the most memorable of the year because of their excitement and competitiveness. Main Events intends to bring back the fighters who fought last May and to introduce sports fans to some new rising stars.”

Said Monaghan: “Last year, through a creative partnership with Main Events and Telemundo, we devised an innovative business model which returned pro boxing to network television in a meaningful and profitable way. Most importantly, boxing fans were treated to a series of memorable fights. We are really excited to be expanding to five weeks.”

Said Hidalgo: “We are thrilled to continue to offer U.S. Hispanic viewers a unique fight card that can be seen exclusively on Telemundo and NBC. Our team of broadcasters will deliver the best coverage for our Spanish and English speaking viewers that are passionate about boxing.”

On five consecutive Saturday afternoons – April 17 and 24; and May 1, 8 and 15 – NBC Sports and Telemundo will provide live coverage from the same Main Events-promoted boxing event. NBC-owned Telemundo, a U.S. Spanish-language television network reaching 91 percent of U.S. Hispanic viewers, will feature a live one-hour broadcast in Spanish. NBC Sports will then immediately follow with a live 90-minute broadcast in English.

Telemundo will produce the televised boxing broadcasts in conjunction with NBC Sports. Rene Giraldo and Jessi Losada will once again handle the Spanish call on Telemundo, while Bob Papa and former world champion and U.S. Olympian Raul Marquez return to provide commentary on NBC. In a unique crossover, Telemundo’s Losada will again switch from Spanish to English as NBC’s on-air host.