The Big Fight- Live

ITV make their boxing comeback this Saturday as they cover the Amir Khan fight live in prime time.

I, for one, strongly welcome this decision and think a serious return to regular terrestrial boxing is essential for the long- term wellbeing of the sport.

My reasoning is simple: In the 1990s the likes of Steve Robinson, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Prince Naseem Hamed had their fights televised by ITV on a Saturday night with audiences of around 12 million. They became household names and were attractive commercial property.

Compare that to the boxing stars of today: Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Matt Skelton and Scott Harrison. Their fights are shown by Sky and have been since they hit the big time and they are known only to a small number of diehard fight fans. This cannot be good for the sport as a whole and I believe unless boxing, and I eman proper boxing returns to terrestrial TV soon its mediuma dn long term futures are bleak. Sky are already cutting back on their coverage- last weekend's Joe Calzaghe fight wasnt shown at all!

Good on you ITV for investing in boxing, I'm sure it'll attract a decent audience.

The thing is as good as the boxers you named are, there not names like bruno or naz or eubank, so wouldnt get 12 million viewers.

Its still good to see it on ITV though. Lets hope they cover it better than BBC

And the reason they are not big names is that their careers have been built in front of tiny audiences on Sky and the vast majority of people haven't had the chance to see them in action.

The Big Fight - Live! Class television! Always good to see a boxing match on ITV. Saturday's match will be presented by Jim Rosenthal as ever which is good news! Wonder if Reg Gutteridge will still be commentating?

I hope they still use the same Big Fight Live theme music! Should be good. Better than Celebrity Wrestling earlier in the evening. This is proper stuff! Good on you ITV!

Lets see more Big Fights Live on Saturdays. The odd match now and again isn't enough. The last Big Fight Live was in 1998/1999 I think! More please!

Agreed, I hope they keep that excellent theme music!

There were a few 'Big Fight' programmes about 5 years ago, featuring Shea Neary fights, presented by Russ Williams with Reg commentating.

I think it's unlikely Reg or Gary Newbon will be returning this time around. I think Graham Beecroft is likely to be the commentator.

He doesnt even work for ITV does he? and has he ever done any TV work before?

Yes- Graham presented 'Football First' on ITV2 which was re- named 'The Goalrush' after he left.

He has also commentated on boxing for ITV's regional coverage titled 'Fight Night' or 'Seconds Out' depending on which region you lived.

According to the Daily Mail, Jim Rosenthal is both presenter and commentator.

Wow! Is Jim also operating the cameras??? ITV must be short of people to cover the event. I hope Khan turns up or else Jim may have to fight as well to keep the crowds pleased!

http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/sport/sport/itv/itvthebigfightlive.rm

just in case you can't wait

And if that happened, supposing he lost? He'd be in no fit state to present!

LOL, he will be presenting with a black eye