Move over Jim Lampley and Howard Cosell. There is a new boxing commentator in the wake of your legacy. No, it’s not any one of the usual stable of ESPN analysts, its the one and only Donald J. Trump, along with his eldest son Donald Trump Jr. who will be announcing a full boxing card Saturday night from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
“I love great fighters and great fights,” the 75-year-old former president said in a statement, according to USA Today. “I look forward to seeing both this Saturday night and sharing my thoughts ringside. You won’t want to miss this special event.”
Trump’s Night at the Fights
Trump and his son will be part of a full pay-per-view boxing card Saturday night for what FITE, who will bring you the broadcast calls “alternative No Holds Barred commentary.” Four fights, sponsored by the Triller Fight Club will be capped by the Main Event between 58-year-old Evander Hollyfield, in his first fight since 2011 and 44-year-old former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and MMA legend Vitor Belfort.
Evander Hollyfield is a late replacement for Oscar De La Hoya who was forced from the fight last week after testing positive for COVID-19.
The other boxing matches on the card will see two other MMA legends Anderson Silva vs. Tito Ortiz go head-to-head, David Haye vs. Joe Fournier and Andy Vences vs. Jono Carroll.
What Is Triller
Triller Fight Club, an American video-sharing social networking service, has burst on the scene and has provided the sports world with some intriguing grudge fights between athletes spanning the boxing world, MMA scene, internet personalities and even a former basketball star. It all started in November 2020 with a fight between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.
Triller has been able to attract stars from movies, television and the broad sporting industries to spice up their broadcasts. Donald Trump is the biggest of their celebrity fish. Previous pay-per-views included celebrities like Pete Davidson and have been credited with elevating the celebrity of names like Jake Paul.
Trump Is No Stranger to Combat Sports
Donald Trump has been an avid boxing fan throughout his public life. From relationships with UFC President Dana White and current UFC mouthpiece Jorge Masvidal to his close personal ties to super promoter Don King to his hosting of top-notch boxing cards at his casino properties in Atlantic City in the 1980’s, Trump has always had a hand in the combat sports world.
Trump knows the fight game. Whether or not his familiarity will translate to an informed and entertaining broadcasting angle remains to be seen, but his presence on Saturday’s card will certainly add intrigue to Saturday’s event.
Keeping in the Spotlight
Nobody can accuse former President Trump of fading out of the public eye. His inclusion to a boxing card, as a commentator is yet another way of keeping his name relevant in pop-culture circles.
Saturday night’s boxing event represents a head-scratching way for the former President to mark the 20th anniversary of September 11 – an event that changed his hometown of New York City forever. Nonetheless, it should be fun and should provide some classic soundbites for years to come.
Eyes and ears will be on Donald Trump Saturday to see if his foray into boxing commentary is a tragedy, just like the one the country he led experienced 20 years to the day of his boxing analyst debut.
