Boxing: PBC, Bounce TV Announce On-Air Talent for Debut Show on Sunday

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Premier Boxing Champions recently teamed up with television network Bounce TV to broadcast a new series of boxing events throughout the year, with the inaugural card being televised Sunday, Aug. 2. The network on Tuesday announced that its on-air talent will be comprised of Fred Hickman, Fran Charles and Austin Trout.

Dubbed “PBC: The Next Round,” the program is designed to showcase boxing’s newest prospects and rising contenders, though it will also featured established veterans. The maiden event will be held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., and will be headlined by an intriguing showdown between Juan Carlos Payano (16-0, 8 KOs) and Rau’shee Warren (13-0, 4 KOs) for the WBA super bantamweight championship.

The event’s co-feature is slated to be a two-fight tournament in the junior middleweight division. The first bout will be a showdown between Olympic silver medalist Yudel Jhonson (17-1, 9 KOs) and Jorge Cota (24-1, 22 KOs). The second bout in the bracket will pit Olympian John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) against veteran Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30 KOs). The winners of the two bouts will meet on a “PBC: The Next Round” card to be announced.

Hickman will serve as the host of “PBC: The Next Round” telecasts. A veteran of broadcasting since 1977, Hickman has worked for CNN Sports, Fox and ESPN, among others. Hickman has won two CableACE Awards as well as a New York Sports Emmy.

Charles will handle the blow-by-blow duties and has been involved in boxing for years; he held the same role for HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” and the long-defunct KO Nation series. He’s also worked for NBC, NFL Network and MLB Network.

Trout (29-2, 16 KOs) is a former WBA super welterweight champion and will serve as the expert analyst. Trout’s most notable win thus far was a unanimous decision win over Miguel Cotto in 2012. Trout lost his title via decision to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Trout has won his last three bouts, including a seventh-round TKO over Luis Galarza in May; he continues his quest to reclaim his title when he fights Joey Hernandez in September.

The first televised fight is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also stream live on BounceTV.com.