HBO Boxing first made its mark in the 1970’s. It was a different world back then. The list of differences between then and now runs longer than Sonny Liston’s reach. One contrast that is noteworthy is that boxing was on top of the sports world in the U.S.A. when HBO embarked on the sweet science. When boxing was on top of the world, HBO fed its customers a steady diet of heavyweights fights, two all-time greats, a fight behind prison walls & an Olympian Gold Medalist from Palmer Park, Maryland.
HBO Boxing first aired on February 22nd, 1973 (the network made its debut on November 8th, 1972). The fight was a replay of George Foreman’s destructive blitz over Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier. The network aired the version of the fight that was called by Don Dunphy. Fitting that the first voice heard on the greatest network for boxing belonged to the greatest blow by blow man of all-time. HBO followed up this debut with two first round knockouts, both involving beloved hard-punching heavyweight, Earnie Shavers. Earnie first stopped the formidable Jimmy Ellis in one round, then was crushed by the underrated Jerry Quarry in two minutes and twenty-one seconds. Jimmy Ellis won the vacant WBA Heavyweight Championship over Jerry Quarry, via a 15-round majority decision in 1968.
HBO also replayed the legendary Rumble in the Jungle & The Thrilla in Manila in its inaugural decade. Other heavyweights showcased during the 70’s were Greg Page, Pinklon Thomas, Leon Spinks, Jimmy Young & Gerry Cooney. Page, Thomas & Spinks all went on to became world champions. The best fight on HBO in the 70’s, that was not a replay, featured Larry Holmes & Mike Weaver. It was a give and take heavyweight battle that put Mike Hercules Weaver on the map, and was one of the best title defenses Larry Holmes ever had.
Ray Leonard won a gold medal in 1976. HBO felt he was sweet enough to be called Sugar Ray and showcased the rapid-handed welterweight three times in the 70’s. His HBO debut was against Dick Eklund. That fight was a major part of the story line of the film The Fighter. Leonard went on to become a world champion and an analyst for HBO in the 1980’s.
The first non-heavyweight to headline an HBO card was Nicaraguan born Alexis Arguello. The Legendary Arguello disposed of Salvador Torres in three rounds in 1976. Arguello is one of the most respected World Champions in boxing history, yet he fought only one other time on HBO. In arguably the biggest fight ever aired on the premium cable network, against Aaron The Hawk Pryor. More about that fight in the future.
Roberto Duran was another all-time great world champion showcased on the network in the 70’s. Duran bested legendary welterweight champion, Carlos Palomino, over ten rounds in 1979. Duran controlled the action against Palomino, in a great showdown of hall of famers. Duran vs. Palomino was the only HBO fight in the 70’s that featured two hall of famers that was not a heavyweight fight, or a replay fight.
Perhaps the most bizarre fight HBO aired in the 70’s was when Eddie Mustafa Muhammad took on inmate James Scott in Rahway State Prison. In New Jersey. The fight took place in October of 1978. Eddie Mustafa Muhammad was the top rated light heavyweight at the time of the fight, James Scott was a convict. The convict pulled off the upset. HBO had the guts and innovation to go behind prison walls to air a boxing match and the risk paid off. A quality copy of Muhammad vs. Scott is one of the more sought after fights by boxing collectors. Like yours truly.
If one wants to call HBO Boxing in the 70’s a work in progress, it is the gold standard of works in progress. This work in progress gave folks the chance to see legendary fighters & fights in their living room. To the sweet sound of Don Dunphy’s golden tonsils. HBO would not be the juggernaut of boxing it is today if it did not have such a great opening act.
