Spike TV is now stepping into the ring. The cable network today announced the launch of a monthly prime-time series featuring Premier Boxing Champions bouts, with the first fights airing on Spike on Friday, March 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
The PBC series, created for TV by Haymon Boxing, will showcase top-level fights featuring the next generation of boxing stars.
The first PBC on Spike card will be a co-main event consisting of two fights between 147-pound combatants.
Former world champion Andre “The Beast” Berto will face battle-tested contender Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez in one bout, while the other matchup will be a clash between former world champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter and tough-nosed contender Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia.
Berto (29-3) won the world title with a seventh-round stoppage of Miguel Angel Rodriguez in June 2008, and successfully defended the championship five times before losing to Victor Ortiz in 2011’s Fight of the Year.
Lopez (33-6) is riding a three-bout winning streak dating to 2013, and upset former champion Ortiz with a ninth-round knockout in 2012.
Porter (24-1) defeated Devon Alexander in December 2013 to win the 147-pound championship, and knocked out Paulie Malignaggi last April to retain his title. He experienced his first pro loss in August, with England’s Kell Brook taking the championship in a 12-round majority decision.
Garcia (36-3) has won eight straight fights since losing to former world champion Antonio Margarito in May 2010.
Spike has entered into a multi-year agreement to televise PBC fights on Fridays each month.
The network’s on-air team will be announced at a later date.
The PBC on Spike monthly series will debut March 13.
