Happy Boxing Day!

 

Credit to the Weird Hollywood Facebook page for the photo. You can hear us talk about this special on this episode.

I had to add this boxing figure to my collection

Yes, it's a Jim Lampley action figure.

This was made as part of a Rocky toy line about 20 years ago, specifically a Rocky Balboa wave. On a recent day trip, I saw this at a toy store and had to get it to add to my boxing announcers collection, which now numbers...one.  Maybe it's not as BOTNS relevant as a 1984 Olympics Lampley, but I'll take it.

However, I know there was a Brent Musburger made for a Rocky III line, and more importantly, I now know a Larry Merchant figure exists. That one is now at the top of my list. Hey, whether or not you had issues with the Rocky Balboa movie, you have to appreciate that it spawned action figures of the HBO guys (Not Harold Lederman, though, I am sad to report). 

I just need a George Foreman to put his arm around him in case there's a riot at ringside.

This day in TV History: The heavyweight_championship_of the world

40 years ago tonight, Detroit hosted the WBC Heavyweight Championship bout between undefeated champ Larry Holmes and Olympic gold medalist Leon Spinks. The fight occurred just a couple months after the death of boxing legend Joe Louis, for whom the venue was named.

ABC, led by Howard Cosell, broadcast the fight live in prime time. Holmes won by a third-round stoppage to retain the title. After the fight, he inadvertently--at least everyone is pretty sure it was an accident--busted Cosell in the mouth while rushing to get at ringside observer/future challenger Gerry Cooney. You know, weird stuff just found a way to happen to Holmes.