“BOXEO TELEMUNDO” CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AS THE LONGEST-RUNNING BOXING PROGRAM ON US SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION

Miami – February 27, 2014- “Boxeo Telemundo,” the longest-running boxing program on US Spanish-language television, sets a historic milestone in 2014 by becoming the first show of its type to celebrate 25 consecutive years on the air.  The show celebrates its first quarter century with an impressive lineup of matches this spring, starting March 14. In tribute to the legendary show, Telemundo’s cable channel, mun2, will air the special series “Lo mejor de Boxeo Telemundo” every Saturday in March at 12PM/11AM C/9AM P, presenting defining moments in the history of Hispanic boxing.

“It’s a true privilege to celebrate a quarter century watching champions be born,” said Jorge Hidalgo, Executive Vice President for Sports at Telemundo Media. Since 1989, the leading protagonists in Hispanic boxing have faced off on ‘Boxeo Telemundo,’ and they will continue to do so for many years thanks to the fans’ support.”

“Boxeo Telemundo” was launched in 1989 with hosts Tony Tirado and the unforgettable triple world champ from Nicaragua, Alexis Arguello. Boxing expert Rene Giraldo joined the team that same year, followed in 1999 by acclaimed sportscaster and commentator Jessi Losada. Giraldo and Losada, the longest-serving boxing narrator/commentator duo on US Spanish-language television, are the current hosts alongside reporters Kaziro Aoyama and Ana Jurka.

“The world of boxing owes its gratitude to Deportes Telemundo for giving a tremendous boost to Latin boxing,” acknowledged Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, President of the World Boxing Organization. “‘Boxeo Telemundo’ consistently presents balanced opponents in competitive matches with a high production value. Congratulations to the show on its 25 anniversary.”

The first season of “Boxeo Telemundo” in 2014 features four high-caliber headliner matches to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary.

On Friday, March 14 at Florida’s Kissimmee Civic Center (11:35PM/10:35 C), Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo will face Mexico’s Guillermo “El Borrego” Ávila for the World Boxing Council’s vacant Latino Super Bantamweight title. Matt Villanueva of California will defend his World Boxing Organization Latino Super Flyweight title against David “Severo” Carmona on Friday, March 21 (11:35PM/10:35 C). The action moves to Mexico City’s Foro Polanco the following week, March 28 (11:35PM/10:35 C), when Filipino Marvin “Chavacano Disaster” Mabait will try to hold onto his title as the WBO’s Intercontinental Bantamweight champion against a challenge from hometown favorite Alejandro “Payasito” Hernández. Mexico’s Julián “Chicano” Rivera and Joebert “Little Pacman” Álvarez of the Philippines will close the season on April 4 (11:35PM/10:35 C), also at Foro Polanco.

“‘Boxeo Telemundo’: maker of champions,” said World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar. “It’s so easy to say: ’25 years.’ We’re talking about 300 months, or 1200 weeks! That’s 1200 weeks of offering opportunities to future champs and showcasing the highest-level competitors in a serious, competitive and exciting program. The World Boxing Council joins in this celebration and thanks Telemundo for its support for the great sport of boxing.”

“It’s a privilege and an honor for us to be part of the first 25 years of this show,” remarked René Giraldo, its leading commentator since 1989. “We’ve seen many world champs born here.”

“More than just a program, ‘Boxeo Telemundo’ is an icon of Hispanic boxing in the United States,” added Jessi Losada, who joined as narrator in 1999. “For 25 years we’ve stayed at the forefront of new technologies and production styles that have served as a platform for future champions.”

“Boxeo Telemundo” was launched in 1989 with hosts Tony Tirado and the unforgettable triple world champ from Nicaragua, Alexis Arguello. Boxing expert Rene Giraldo joined the team that same year, followed in 1999 by acclaimed sportscaster and commentator Jessi Losada. Giraldo and Losada, the longest-serving boxing narrator/commentator duo on US Spanish-language television, are the current hosts alongside reporters Kaziro Aoyama and Ana Jurka.

“Boxeo Telemundo” has showcased 55 world champions in the last quarter century, including Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr., Jose “Carita” Lopez, Oscar “Chololo” Larios, Ulises “Archie” Solis and Carlos Maussa, earning a reputation as the show “where champions are born.”

Deportes Telemundo, Telemundo Media’s sports division, is one of the leading providers of Spanish-language sports content in the United States. The “U.S. Home of the Olympics in Spanish,” and the “U.S. home of the Barclays Premier League in Spanish” as well, Deportes Telemundo also offers World Cup Qualifying away matches played by the Mexican National Team; all Liga MX matches played at home by Club León; the leading boxing show in U.S. Spanish-language television, “Boxeo Telemundo,” and the U.S. broadcast and online rights in Spanish language to the biggest soccer tournament in the world, the FIFA World Cup®, across all platforms (except radio), 2015 through 2022.

In addition to its biggest sporting events, Deportes Telemundo produces two leading sports entertainment shows, “Titulares y Más” and “Titulares Telemundo,” offering the latest sports news and analysis combined with entertainment and lifestyle segments. Deportes Telemundo’s award-winning broadcast team is led by internationally acclaimed sportscaster Andrés Cantor and also includes Jessi Losada, Sammy Sadovnik, Manuel Sol, Leti Coo, Edgar López, Karim Mendiburu, Mirella Grisales, Ana Jurka, Rene Giraldo and Kaziro Aoyama.