USA Tuesday Night Fights

rdf:langString USA Tuesday Night Fights

rdf:langString USA Tuesday Night Fights

rdf:langString United States

rdf:langString Lenny Stucker

rdf:langString English

rdf:langString USA Tuesday Night Fights (formerly Friday Night Boxing, Wednesday Night Fights, Thursday Night Fights) is a television boxing show. It aired from October 1, 1982, through August 25, 1998 on the USA Network; at one time it was the longest continually-running boxing show on television. The show debuted on October 1, 1982, as Friday Night Boxing (1982-1984), and then, Wednesday Night Fights (1984-1986), and later, Thursday Night Fights (1986-1990). USA Tuesday Night Fights was hosted by Al Albert, who provided the blow-by-blow commentary, Muhammad Ali trainer Angelo Dundee from 1982 to 1984, and then, Randy Gordon from 1984 to 1987, and finally, former lightweight champion Sean O'Grady, who served as the analyst from 1987 until the show's ending in 1998. Bill Macatee was often a substitute commentator for Albert. The show did not employ a regular ring announcer, but several high-profile announcers such as HBO's Michael Buffer, Showtime's Jimmy Lennon, Jr., Philadelphia boxing staple Ed Derian, and future BattleBots announcer Mark Beiro were featured with Derian and Beiro featured more frequently as the years went on. The program, for most of its time on air, was sponsored by Budweiser, and often referred to on air as Budweiser Presents Tuesday Night Fights. Pabst Blue Ribbon was also a frequent sponsor of the program, continuing a tradition of the Pabst company sponsoring televised boxing matches. Like some of its similar fellow boxing programs, Tuesday Night Fights did not always emanate from large arenas. Instead, cards usually took place in smaller venues, such as The Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, the Felt Forum/Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, or the ballroom of Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Tuesday Night Fights would also not limit itself to American venues, as they traveled to England, Mexico, and other places to televise shows. One show even took place aboard an aircraft carrier.