On March 14, the longest-running boxing program on U.S. Hispanic television kicked off its latest series of bouts.
Boxeo Telemundo, now in its 25th year, has cemented itself as the cornerstone of Telemundo’s sports entertainment programming. Launched in 1989 with hosts Tony Tirado and Nicaraguan triple world champ Alexis Arguello, Boxeo Telemundo quickly added the services of boxing expert Rene Giraldo after the network realized it had a hit on its hands.
Ten years later, the program expanded with the addition of sportscaster and commentator Jessi Losada. Giraldo and Losada are now recognized as the longest-serving boxing blow-by-blow announcer/color commentator duo on Spanish-language television in the U.S.
Today, Giraldo and Losada are joined by reporters Kaziro Aoyama and Ana Jurka.
“It’s a true privilege to celebrate a quarter century watching champions be born,” Telemundo Media executive vice president of sports Jorge Hidalgo said. “Since 1989, the leading protagonists in Hispanic boxing have faced off on Boxeo Telemundo and they will continue to do so for many years thanks to the fans’ support.”
In tribute to the legendary show, Telemundo pay TV sibling mun2 will air the special series Lo mejor de Boxeo Telemundo every Saturday in March at Noon ET. The special focuses on what the network considers the defining moments in the history of Hispanic boxing.
“The world of boxing owes its gratitude to Deportes Telemundo for giving a tremendous boost to Latin boxing,” Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, president of the World Boxing Organization, said. “Boxeo Telemundo consistently presents balanced opponents in competitive matches with a high production value. Congratulations to the show on its 25th anniversary.”
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar added: “It’s so easy to say: '25 years.’ That’s 1,200 weeks of offering opportunities to future champs and showcasing the highest-level competitors in a serious, competitive and exciting program.”
Today, Deportes Telemundo is far more than boxing: It is the Spanish-language home in the U.S. for Olympics coverage, Barclays Premier League soccer, World Cup Qualifying away matches played by the Mexican national team; and all Fútbol Liga Mexicana matches played at home by Club León.
Next year, Deportes Telemundo gains control of the biggest property in Hispanic media — the Spanish-language TV rights to the FIFA World Cup. Current rightsholder Univision will have one last go at this year’s tournament in Brazil, then hand the World Cup off to NBCUniversal-owned Telemundo through 2022.
The score may have never been possible without the success from Boxeo Telemundo, which began when Daisy Fuentes was best known as the host of the network’s hourly MTV Internaciónal music video show.
“For 25 years we’ve stayed at the forefront of new technologies and production styles,” Losada said. “This has served as a platform for future champions."
