Random stuff..

Listening to Jim Lampley’s recent interview on The Joe Rogan Experience was a nostalgic one for me, bringing back some memories of nights spent glued to HBO Boxing. Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, those Saturday night fights were were family events, cultural moments, and history in the making. My dad, myself, and more often than not, an uncle and some cousins, would get together around the TV and witness some of the most iconic moments in boxing history.

Back then, HBO Boxing was the big deal. ESPN had Friday Night Fights too, but HBO was was the gold standard for boxing. It was a “premium” channel on our Continental Cablevision (channel #2 back in the day). We didn’t always have HBO, it depended on if we could afford it that particular month or whatever, but if we didn’t have it, I had an aunt and uncle next door that always had it, so we were always at each others houses watching the big fights. Great times.

I remember Julio César Chávez Sr.’s comeback win against Meldrick Taylor in 1990. Chávez was way behind on points, losing the fight, but with seconds left in the final round, he KO’d Taylor. It was the kind of history-book finish that had us yelling at the TV. I was a Chavez fan back then, he had a ridiculous record, like 100 wins or something. Anyway that fight with Meldrick Taylor is one of those iconic moment fights.

Then there were the ring announcers who were also legendary. I remember Michael Buffer’s trademark “Let’s get ready to rumble!” intro, I think everyone knows that one. This was when he was more famous than his brother Bruce Buffer who has since taken the spotlight in UFC. And who could forget Jimmy Lennon Jr.? Those voices were a part of the experience, it might be Jim Lampley’s voice that made me nostalgic about HBO boxing…lol.

Back then I didn’t always like Larry Merchant for some reason, maybe a few. I realize now that guy was awesome.

Remember Harold Lederman’s unofficial scorecards?

The fights themselves were unforgettable. Riddick Bowe vs. Andrew Golota in 1996 was chaos—Golota’s low blows led to a disqualification, and then both sides started brawling in the ring. Madness ensued and police came in

Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward’s trilogy in the early 2000s.

George Foreman’s comeback at over 40 years old, squaring off against Evander Holyfield in 1991? Foreman lost a decision, but went on to demolish people in his comeback, and eventually KO’d Michael Moorer to become the oldest Heavyweight Champion of all time.

I remember the guy paragliding into the ring during Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield, the paraglider guy ended up getting his ass kicked by a few people in the crowd after he landed. The referee was the great Mills Lane.

HBO Boxing left me with stories I’ll carry forever. Here’s to a golden era of HBO Boxing, a time when the sport felt larger than life.