In January of 1973, HBO decided to go mainstream with sports media and provide their own 'prime time' version of ABC's daytime boxing.

Although the ABC conglomerate was in cahootz with HBO's programming, they realized that HBO could become the more adult-oriented channel that strayed from the more wholesome, family type programming ABC provided.

Throughout the years HBO has been a staple of boxing and sports broadcasting, and this past Saturday was a bittersweet farewell to the production and people that made that production outstanding.

Take a look at this heartfelt goodbye from one of the best boxing commentators to ever do it, Jim Lampley:

[Youtube]

Not hearing Roy Jones retort to Lampley's sometimes audacious, yet always consitently relevant points will be a sad venture when watching boxing.. but legends fall as quickly as they rise, and the long time juggernaut of prime time puglism is no more.

HBO boxing represented the best lineage of combat sports that had existed for these past decades and eras of fighters, but as we say goodbye, we say hello to a new and more promising era of streaming and afforadability.

I will miss Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman, Roy Jones, and all the pieces that made watching fights even that much more spectacular.

Goodbye HBO boxing, you helped me learn to love the sport.

Boxing / jim lampley

Farewell HBO Boxing!

Farewell HBO Boxing!

Farewell HBO Boxing!