By Jake Donovan
Bounce TV had long been mentioned as one of several networks to be utilized for Al Haymon's Premier Boxing Champions series. The Atlanta-based company will enter the fray on Sunday, August 2, with a major bantamweight fight topping the bill.
Juan Carlos Payano will make his first bantamweight title defense in the main event. His challenger will be unbeaten Rau'Shee Warren, who is the first member from the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team to challenge for a major title.
The scheduled 12-round bout will take place at Full Sail Live—located on Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The show—which airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET—will mark the debut of a planned monthly series on Bounce TV, though unclear if future installments will be broadcast in a similar time slot.
Payano (16-0, 8KOs) makes his first ring appearance since claiming the title in a technical decision win over long-reigning champ Anselmo Moreno last September.
Warren (13-0, 4KOs) made history with his placement in the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the only fighter ever from the United States to serve on three separate Olympic boxing teams. The Cincinnati-based boxer also competed in 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing).
Payano also competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, advancing to the second round in each competition in representing the Dominican Republic.
The PBC series has already been showcased on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CBS and Spike TV. ESPN will air its first series installment on July 11, also taking place in Florida as Keith Thurman faces Luis Collazo in a 12-round welterweight battle.
With the announcement of the August 2 show, PBC now has six confirmed shows from July 11–August 14: two on ESPN, and one each on NBC Sports Network, CBS and Spike TV.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox