Not only will MMA fans see a great evening of mixed martial arts competition on May 15, but they will also hear expert commentary from the broadcast team brought on-board to announce the event.
Shine Fights Promotion CEO Devin Price today announced that 2006 New York Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Sports Anchor Bruce Beck and three-time world champion Bobby Czyz have joined MMA star Jason Chambers to form the broadcast team for the May 15 PPV broadcast of "Worlds Collide: Mayorga vs. Thomas."
In addition, Karyn Bryant will serve as a correspondent for the broadcast. Bryant's lengthy television experience includes assignments with SHOWTIME's Championship Boxing series, CBS' "The Early Show" (Guest Anchor), CNN's "77th Academy Awards Red Carpet" program (Host), and TNT's "Super Bowl 98" (Host/Reporter).
Beck is a household name among sports fans, having hosted an array of sports programs and covered a multitude of major sporting events. He is in his thirteenth year with News 4 New York, and is the station's lead sports anchor.
In 2006 he received the New York Emmy for Outstanding Sports Anchor, and for three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was selected as New York State Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Among the sports programs he has hosted are Mike'd Up, News 4 New York's Sunday Night Sports Show, the Toyota Giants Report with Coach Tom Coughlin, and The Rutgers Report with Coach Greg Schiano.
The list of sporting events he has covered for News 4 New York reads like a grocery list of the world's premier competitions: Super Bowl's XLII and XLIII, the World Series, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals, the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, the U.S. Open Golf Championship, the NCAA Final Four, the Kentucky Derby and the 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 Olympic Games.
Beck also served as the blow-by-blow announcer for numerous UFC events, including UFC 4 thru UFC 15.
"I am looking forward to calling the action on this exciting presentation by Shine Fights," said Beck. "And I can't wait to see Ricardo Mayorga. This warrior has battled the likes of Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad in a boxing ring. Now he makes the transition to MMA in 'Worlds Collide.' Does he have the goods? We'll find out soon enough!"
Czyz compiled a record of 44-8 (28 Kos) and won three world championships during his successful 18-year boxing career. A member of the "International High IQ Society" (Mensa) Czyz was also ranked in the top 10 in six different weight classes.
Among the boxers he fought were Evander Holyfield, Prince Charles Williams, Donnie Lalonde, Virgil Hill, and Dennis Andries. Since retiring from boxing, Czyz has built a successful career as a broadcaster, most notably as a commentator for SHOWTIME's "Championship Boxing" series.
"Ricardo Mayorga was an 'ANIMAL' in the boxing world and claims to have some grappling skills," said Czyz. "We know that Din Thomas can grapple, so this may come down TO WHO LANDS WELL FIRST and WHO HAS THE BEST CHIN! I think this has to be an exciting fight based on the styles and tenacity of these two fighters!"
"We are very proud to announce this dynamic and well-rounded broadcast team," said executive producer Brian Ricco. "'Worlds Collide' is a very unique event and we have assembled a diversified team of talented announcers, with both boxing and MMA backgrounds, that will reflect this cutting edge event."
Beck and Czyz will join previously announced Jason Chambers as part of the Shine Fights commentary team. Their debut will take place on the "Worlds Collide" fight card that will feature a 160-pound catchweight main event between former boxing champion Ricardo Mayorga and MMA veteran Din Thomas.
The co-main event will showcase a 185 lb. bout between former Elite XC Middleweight Champion Murilo "Ninja" Rua and Canadian warrior Travis "The Gladiator" Galbraith. Also showcased will be a welterweight contest between MMA veteran Nick "The Goat" Thompson and Brazilian star Eduardo Pamplona.
In addition, a surefire ground war is set to take place at 175 pounds between 2009 ADCC Absolute Champion Braulio Estima and former Olympic Judo competitor Rick Hawn. Also, a 205-pound grappler’s dream will also take place between Brazilian star Alexandre "Cacareco" Ferreira and IFL veteran and BJJ black belt Jamal "The Suit" Patterson, and a simmering slugfest between PRIDE veterans Charles "Kid Khaos" Bennett and Brazilian star Luiz Azeredo will round out the PPV-broadcast main card.
"WORLDS COLLIDE" is taking place at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC, and will be beamed on PPV on cable and satellite in the United States and Canada. The event will be broadcasted in High-Definition, and it will be available in both English and Spanish (where available). The broadcast will start at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT and will be produced by MultiVision Media, Inc.
There will be a 30-minute countdown show prior to the live event at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT. The event will be available for $29.95. Tickets may be obtained by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420, or online at
www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Crown Coliseum Box Office. For box office hours and more info, please call (910) 438-4100.
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