Home News Fight Network celebrates U.S. launch: Will broadcast boxing, MMA & other combat...

Fight Network celebrates U.S. launch: Will broadcast boxing, MMA & other combat sports

Credit: Emily Harney

Last Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, Fight Network hosted a private party at The Ainsworth for media, sponsors and television executives to celebrate its recent launch in the United States on Cablevision’s Optimum TV (channel 464) in the Greater New York area.

Photo (L-R) – Undefeated WBO middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Qulllin, unbeaten world heavyweight contender Charles Martin. UFC star Frankie Edgar, boxing great Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Fight Network CEO Len Asper

Now available in more than 30 countries, Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news and analysis, as well as fight-themed drama, reality series, documentaries and feature films. Fight Network’s dynamic programming lineup includes live events from around the world, extensive news coverage and expert analysis.

“This is the culmination of a long process for Fight Network,” Fight Network CEO Leonard Asper said. “We wanted to build a group of sports channels because the fans of those sports were underserved. If golf had its own station, we thought, why not a fight network? Fight Network has been successful in other parts of the world, but we had to be in the U.S. to really make it. Today, we end one chapter and start another, growing from adolescence to adulthood, by launching in New York and being on Broadway where it always belonged. The most important thing to building any successful company is getting the right people. It’s about building a family and today I’d like to introduce the newest member of the Fight Network family, as an adviser/fight analyst, Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini.”

“I’m very excited about Fight Network,” Mancini remarked. “Every type of sport has its own network. Fight Network is all about combat sports and it’s in Europe, Africa and North America. You know, it is also a thrill for me to meet Frankie Edgar today because I’m an MMA fan, too. Fight Network gives attention to athletes from all genres of combat sports. Its potential is unlimited and I hope to be part of Fight Network for a long time.”

In addition to special guests Mancini and Edgar, other supportive fighters in attendance included undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin and unbeaten world-rated heavyweight contender Charles Martin.

Asper added that the long-range goal is to give every household in America the opportunity to view Fight Network, noting it will soon be available throughout Texas on Grande Communications, as well as across the U.S. via Roku.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.