By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
Epic fights and it was for the lightweight title, May 5, 2013 in Las Vegas when the late Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo made boxing history. That 10th round saw Corrales come off the canvas and stop Castillo. Steve Albert was at ringside and called the fight for Showtime Championship Boxing.
“An epic fight and a highlight of my years calling boxing,” Albert said to this columnist. For 17-years, Steve, youngest brother of three well known sports broadcasters was the voice of Showtime Championship Boxing and this was one of those championship fights that have been etched in boxing history.
This weekend Albert, along with former champions and Showtime colleague Jim Gray, will reunite as the newest inductees to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota New York. Joining Albert are former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, four-division champion Erik Morales, and Ronald “Winky” Wright who never avoided a challenge when defending his light heavyweight title.
“It’s an honor. I didn’t expect this. It’s quite an honor and I appreciate the call very much. It’s a little overwhelming,” said Albert. “ I’ve never been to Canastota and I’ve heard so many great things about that weekend through other friends who have been inducted and I look forward to it. It’s rare for me, but I’m a little speechless.”
Brooklyn born and raised, Steve Albert has never been speechless. Before boxing there was network television and the circuit as a local sports anchor in New york City. He was the play-by-play announcer at court side for the New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and recently retired after a long stint with the Phoenix Suns.
He also called games for the New York Jets and with both New York hockey teams, the Rangers and Islanders. There is more but boxing was his call and it came with research and also the many talks with his brother AL, a longtime and former blow-by-blow broadcaster for the award winning Tuesday Night at the Fights series on the USA Network.
Corrales and Castillo was the epic fight, many say to date could be one of the century. But Steve Albert also was at ringside for Showtime when Mike Tyson battled Evander Holyfield in 1977 for the heavyweight championship and there was that well known bite of the year.
Tyson, in a quest to save his title decided to take a bite of Holyfield’s right ear at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
“Still have vivid memories of that night and at ringside could not believe what we witnessed,” said Albert who still keeps in contact with the sport and looks forward to the events up in Canastota this weekend.
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