Tag: Thrilla in Manila

Classic fight replays — led by Ali-Frazier trilogy — do strong ratings on ESPN

ESPN’s replay of the “Thrilla in Manila” was the sixth-most-watched sports-related show of the past week.

Fans are watching boxing even when there’s no boxing.

ESPN’s replay of the third fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 – The “Thrilla in Manila” – was the sixth-most-watched sports-related show of the past week, according to ShowBuzzDaily. An average of 699,000 people watched the fight, Forbes reported.

As Forbes pointed out, that figure is higher than the 683,000 who viewed the Wednesday episode of the new professional wrestling outfit AEW Dynamite.

Classic boxing shows made up eight of the 20 most-watched sports programs this past week. That also included Ali-Frazier I, Mike Tyson-Michael Spinks and Oscar De La Hoya-Julio Cesar Chavez.

An ESPN boxing analyst Tweeted: “Amazing numbers on ESPN Linear. … Boxing Library works amazing! Perhaps better than any other Sport.”

ESPN devoted 11 hours to boxing on Saturday, including the first time the first Ali-Frazier has been televised since 1991. That fight had an average audience of 641,000. The second Ali-Frazier fight averaged 607,000.

The only live card on ESPN this year — headlined by Eleider Alvarez vs. Michael Seals — averaged 704.000 viewers.

Live sports have been sidelined as a result of the corona virus pandemic.

Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier I to air on U.S. TV (ESPN) for first time since 1991

For the first time since 1991, the first of three fights between Muhammad Ali and arch rival Joe Frazier will appear on U.S. television.

ESPN has planned a special treat for boxing fans.

For the first time since August 1991, the first of three fights between Muhammad Ali and arch rival Joe Frazier will appear on U.S. television. The fight, labeled “The Fight of the Century,” has never aired on an ESPN platform.

The telecast highlights 11 consecutive hours of classic fights beginning at noon ET this Saturday (April 18). All three Ali-Frazier fights will be showcased, as well as Ali’s classic encounter with George Foreman.

These fights also will be available on ESPN+ beginning Saturday.

Here is the full lineup for Saturday (all times ET):

Noon — Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman
1 p.m. — Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman
2 p.m. – Oscar De La Hoya vs. Julio Cesar Chavez I
3 p.m. — Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad
4 p.m. — Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns
4:30 p.m. — Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick
5 p.m. – Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes
5:30 p.m. — Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks
6 p.m. — Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay I
7 p.m. — Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I
9 p.m. — Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II
10 p.m. — Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III