New York, NY, August 3, 2009 – MSG Networks’ “Fight Night Classics” returns on Thursday, August 6 at 9:00 p.m. when Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, fighting out of Paterson, New Jersey, stepped into the Madison Square Garden ring against Philadelphia’s George Benton on May 25, 1963. Carter, who was arrested and convicted of a triple murder in 1966 and whose conviction was overturned years later, was a hard-punching and controversial middleweight contender with an intimidating stare which made his small 5’8” muscular frame seem much larger. He was the underdog as Benton was a highly ranked middleweight contender and who was anticipating a World Title shot after his impressive victory over Joey Giardello in 1962. Carter, despite the odds against him, was an offensive machine and finished stronger to win the battle – a 10 round split decision.
Legendary boxing commentator, Don Dunphy calls the action ringside while famed boxing referee Arthur Mercante was taking charge inside the ring.
“Fight Night Classics” is part of the “MSG Summer Block Party,” a lineup of theme night programming on the network that will begin every night at 8:00 p.m. The programming lineup includes new episodes of “MSG Vault,” “Fans Most Wanted: Knicks” and “Fans Most Wanted: Rangers,” along with franchise series “MSG Concert Series,” “MSG at the Movies” and “Road to MSG.”
About MSG Media
MSG Media is an industry leader in production and content development for all broadcast and digital platforms. A part of Madison Square Garden, L.P., MSG Media is comprised of television networks MSG, MSG Plus and Fuse, as well as MSG Interactive, which oversees all Madison Square Garden wireless and online initiatives, and the Media Sales division. Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the legendary Chicago Theatre, as well as an exclusive co-booking agreement with the venerable Wang Theatre in Boston; and which manages wholly-owned live entertainment properties including the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.