ESPN Classic

With stars such as David Haye and Amir Khan, Britain continues to boast some of the world’s best boxing talent, and ESPN Classic has announced the launch of a new series which celebrates Britain’s rich boxing heritage.

British Boxing Heroes looks back on some of the fighters that represented Britain gloriously throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. Presented by boxing expert Steve Bunce, the ten-part series is a combination of little-seen match-ups, classic fights and career-defining moments. The revealing programmes include some of Britain’s most famous boxers showcasing their raw talent in bouts before they had hit the big time, as well as contests featuring fighters in their prime.

The half-hour long episodes include: “Before They Were Famous”, featuring Joe Calzaghe in only his second professional fight, Ken Buchanan’s British Lightweight title clash against Brian Hudson and Naseem Hamed’s fifth pro fight; “Frank Bruno: The Early Years”, with some of Bruno’s earliest encounters, including his first professional contest, up against Lupe Guerra and his first title fight (for the European Heavyweight title) against Anders Eklund; and Henry Cooper v Joe Bugner in 1971 – possibly the most notorious British fight in boxing history, which deeply divided the boxing community and the public.

Commenting on the programme, Steve Bunce said: “Finally a boxing show with a bit of everything! It's the series with big names in their primes, some great fighters when they were unknown and some truly unforgettable nights - it's got the lot. Enjoy it.”

The series begins on Monday 14^th June on ESPN Classic on Sky Channel 429 and Virgin Media Channel 533. See below for a full schedule.

The 32 qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals have been confirmed, the Football Association of Ireland's best efforts notwithstanding, and as attention turns to next summer's showpiece event in South Africa, ESPNsoccernet.com casts an admiring eye over some of the greatest games to grace the competition.

And here's a chance to watch some of them on ESPN Classic (SKY 429, Virgin Media 533). 

West Germany 3-2 Hungary - 1954
Dubbed 'The Miracle of Berne', West Germany's victory over Hungary in the 1954 final was a shock to rival any in World Cup history. Hungary had beaten their opponents 8-3 in the group stages and, when they took a 2-0 lead inside eight minutes - with the great Ferenc Puskás and Zoltán Czibor beating Toni Turek - another hammering looked on the cards... 
Read more on Soccernet.com

Brazil 4-1 Italy – 1970
Not only was the 1970 final one of the best World Cup matches in history, it also showcased one of the most famous goals of all time scored by arguably the greatest team of all time. This was the Brazil of Pelé, Tostão, Jairzinho and Rivelino, and their crowning glory was an unforgettable 4-1 win over Italy in Mexico's Azteca Stadium... 
Read more on Soccernet.com

Cameroon 1-0 Argentina - 1990
The opening game of the 1990 World Cup in Italy witnessed one of the biggest shocks in football history when unfancied Cameroon defeated reigning champions Argentina - Diego Maradona and all - despite finishing the game with only nine men...
Read more on Soccernet.com

Senegal 3-3 Uruguay – 2002
While the watching world focused on the shock demise of defending champions France in their 2-0 defeat to Denmark, 35 miles away in Suwon, a bone-fide classic was taking place between Senegal and Uruguay as Group A reached a dramatic conclusion...
Read more on Soccernet.com

Having got away to a strong start (and achieved precisely what the series set out to do, by encouraging pub debate up and down the land), ‘Sports Years’ now shines its spotlight on a further selection of sporting dates and events. New to Classic this month are programmes extolling the virtues of 1977 (Virginia Wade at Wimbledon, James Hunt and Barry Sheene starring on the world’s race-tracks), and 2006; the year that Jose Mourinho proved his initial Premier League title win at a resurgent Chelsea was no fluke.

The past few years have provided a golden era for British cycling, whether inside the velodrome or out on the road in the event that the French refer to as ‘le sport dur’ – the Tour de France. The world’s most famous cycle race has featured a new star over the past couple of years, in the form of Britain’s Mark Cavendish. Just in time to tie in with this year’s Tour, Classic offer the chance to enjoy again this month the sight of this British biker’s streak of 2008 and ’09 stage wins.

The ‘Golden Foot’ is a very special award in the pantheon of trophies to be won by individual footballers - celebrating the virtues of stealth and skill rather than those of youth and raw speed. Because this is a competition open to only those players aged 29 and beyond; seasoned campaigners rather than those enjoying the first flush of youth. Nominees this year include Buffon, Raul and Giggs, with a special season of ESPN Classic programming celebrating their skills.

High summer in the British sporting calendar is synonymous with The Open; arguably world golf’s favourite tournament. Furthermore, the championship’s lyrically-paced official films are rated as just about the best of their kind available, which is why ESPN Classic takes so much pleasure in rolling out their 2007 and ’08 productions as premieres, this month. The first of those years saw a tournament-long duel between Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington, whilst the more recent saw Greg Norman enjoying an Indian Summer in the English sunshine.

Two years prior to England’s still-astonishing World Cup win in Australia, many of the same players formed the core of a British Lions squad (Martin Johnson captained both teams, for instance) on a Test tour Down Under, coached by the highly-rated Graham Henry. An early victory offered grounds for hope, in what proved a tense, hard-fought and highly competitive series. These matches receive their ESPN Classic debut this month, and positively demand to be seen.