Stephen A. Smith will finally get his chance to fulfill a childhood dream on November 5th, the head of a boxing broadcast team.
In a press release issued by Top Rank Boxing, the First Take frontman will lead the commentary desk for the upcoming title fight between Manny Pacquiamo and WBC welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas,
“To say I’m incredibly excited would be an understatement,” said Smith. “Anyone who knows me knows I fell in love with boxing from the time I was three-years-old, when my Dad showed me Muhammad Ali beating Jerry Quarry in October 1970. Ever since that day, Boxing has been a passion of mine. But never — ever — in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d ever get a chance to actually call a fight. November 5 can’t get here soon enough.”
Smith, who will act as the color analyst, will also be joined by veteran boxing broadcaster Brian Kenny, Charissa Thompson of Fox NFL Kickoff, former two-division and five-time world champion Timothy Bradley and Top Rank veteran reporter Crystina Poncher.
While Smith may seem to be an ‘interesting’ choice of lead, President of Top Rank Todd Duboef says the goal was to give viewers a “different perspective that informs and entertains.”
“We wanted to give the viewers a different perspective that informs and entertains and I think we have accomplished that with this fantastic team,” said duBoef. “It’s a great combination with Brian, one of television’s top TV announcers, color commentary from Stephen A. and Charissa ‘s balanced hosting style. The expert analysis from Tim will round this out perfectly as he is considered one of the best fighters in the world and has secured victories against both Pacquiao and Vargas.”
Goal accomplished Top Rank. Will Smith argue with Brian Kenny during the show? Kenny isn’t a softy either. One thing is certain, the team will not be boring.
