According to BBC News, ITV have secured rights to screen 20 Big Fights Live a year after Frank Warren secured a deal. The first one presumably on July 16th with Amir Khan!
Well tonight will be a real test for ITV as it's their first professional bout for 5 years, and a return to regular boxing after a 10 year absence.
I've heard a rumour Steve Holdsworth ahs been dropped already as ITV's main commentator- he was truly awful last weekend, but having Duke McKenzie alongside him made it even worse. Apparently Jim Rosenthal will be tonight's commentator though I can't confirm this.
Good news this week as ITV signed Barry McGuigan from Sky. He was, of course, part of the old 'Big Fight' team, responsible for 'Barry McGuigan's Unofficial Scorecard'.
Jim and Barry are the only 2 members of the old Big Fight team I can realistically see coming back. Others were:
Jim Watt: Is full time at Sky and is likely to stay there now.
Reg Gutteridge- must be getting on a bit now, he's officially retired- legendary commentator though.
Gary Newbon- Does a bit for Central but is largely at Sky now presenting greyhound racing and darts. He was very hurt after being left out of Brian Barwick's team for Euro 2004 and soon jumped ship.
One piece of good news this week is that ITV are making a serious attempt to sign the excellent John Rawling as their new Big Fight commentator starting in September.
ITV failed in an attempt to sign Jeff Stelling to front their Champions League coverage this week. Stelling has signed a new contract at Sky and will front Monday Night Football from next season on top of his work on Soccer Saturday.
It seems Mark Sharman is serious about beefing up ITV Sport and he deserves great credit for doing so. This will stand the network in good stead after the disastrous Brian Barwick years which consisted of one stupid mistake after another, and with sport likely to play a prominent part in the ITV4 schedule they appear to have a good boss at the helm.