BOXING Returns to NBC – Heavyweight Showdown on Saturday Night

By Geno McGahee

This Saturday night, NBC tries to bring back the once very popular sport of boxing to their network with a heavyweight collision, airing live from the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia. NBC Sports Network’s “Fight Night” Boxing Series kicks off with a couple of heavyweight prospects, which had to replace the original main event between Eddie Chambers and Sergei Liakhovich, when Chambers got injured. The network elected to push through with the broadcast and two unknowns get a crack.

Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm, 13-0-1, 9 KO’s, is described as a “heavy-handed southpaw” that is drawing comparisons to Mike Tyson…by his team. He has put together an undefeated record but the opposition has been less than stellar. The collective record of his opponents is 67 wins, 100 losses, and 13 draws. His opponent Bryant “Bye Bye” Jennings, 11-0, 5 KO’s, is a step up, on paper, but his record is just as padded as Byarm’s…maybe more.

Jennings is described as a “boxer-puncher that never misses a day at the gym,” and he will be using his boxing skills to try to keep off the onrushing “Freight Train” Saturday night. The collective record of his opposition is 44 wins, 59 losses, and 7 draws. He has also been feasting on career losers, but both men are rolling the dice this Saturday night.

The undercard features, a 10 rounder between Gabriel Rosado, 18-5, 10 KO’s, and Jesus Soto Karass, 24-6-2, 16 KO’s.