Lewis-Tyson banners NBN sports specials

Major boxing, cycling, bowling, billiards and all-time favorite basketball events highlight the national nroadcasting network’s midyear sports bonanza.

NBN chair Mia Concio has lined up these programs, highlighted by the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson championship bout, as part of its continuing effort to bring marquee international sports events closer to the Filipino people.

"What we’re having is a sports festival of sorts leading to the Asian Games this September in Busan, Korea," said Concio. "With these events, the Filipino people will be privileged as witnesses to these world- class events. That makes the National Broadcasting Network truly the Philippines’ Sports Channel."

The much-awaited championship match between reigning three-time world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and former champ Mike Tyson is set on June 8 (June 9 in Manila) and will be aired live from the Pyramid Arena in Memphis Tennessee.

On June 7, NBN will have a primer on the boxing bout from 6-8 p.m. while the main event will be telecast on June 9 starting 8:30 a.m. with boxing experts Chino Trinidad, Quinito Henson and Gov. Manny Piñol giving the viewers minute-to-minute analysis of the title bout.

Lewis puts on the line his World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweights titles.

Of special interest for Filipino boxing fans is the undercard title bout of local hero Manny Pacquiao who will be defending his IBF Super Bantamweight crown against Colombia’s Jorge Elicier Julio.

"We are enthusiastic about continuing the sports programs of NBN and share the excitement of sports enthusiasts who continue to supports us," said NBN Network general manager Joey Isabelo. While negotiations for the Asian Games coverage this year have yet to be finalized owing to the huge budget requirement, we are hopeful to come up with arrangements that will allow us to cover the event."

Kicking off NBN’s midyear sports bonanza is the FedEx Express Tour coverage on May 30 to June 2 which will have a daily recap from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with Patricia Bermudez as host.

The four-day bikathon, sponsored by Airfreight 2100, official licensee of Federal Express in the country, revives the summer cycling marathon event after three years as veteran and new negotiate the rough and tough main highways of Calabarzon. At stake is the first FedEx Express Tour crown and cash prizes amounting to over a million pesos.

Other sports events slated for NBN telecast from June to October include the NBA Finals (June 3-18), the 9-Ball Open Billiards (June to July) which will be a follow-up to the highly successful Barcelona Challenge of Gold Medalist last January and a made for-TV-Bowling Tournament from July to October.

The winner of the 9’Ball billiards event, to be organized, managed and staged by NBN, will play against Barcelona Challenge champion Lee Van Corteza.