Monday, June 11, 2012

Lennox Lewis joins BBC Radio 5 live Olympic commentary team

Former undisputed heavyweight Champion of the world Lennox Lewis will join BBC Radio 5 live’s Olympic commentary team for London 2012 commentating on boxing. 

He joins fellow sportsmen including James Cracknell, Darren Campbell, Steve Backley and Kriss Akabusi as part of the station’s comprehensive Olympic coverage on Radio 5 live and the digital radio station for the Games, 5 live Olympics Extra.

Lennox competed for Canada at the age of 17 in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, winning Bronze, and went on to win Gold at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

After turning professional in 1989, Lennox enjoyed a hugely successful career in the ring recording an impressive 41 wins which included 32 knock outs, two losses and one draw.

He retired as the undisputed heavyweight Champion of the world in 2004 and Lennox is one of just three fighters (alongside Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield) to have won three heavyweight Championships in his career.

Now a resident of Jamaica, Lennox counts Usain Bolt as a friend and has seen how the excitement about the Olympics is growing all round the world.

Lennox Lewis says: “I’m so excited about London 2012 and can’t wait to get there and see it all get started. I’m delighted to be working with BBC Radio 5 live through the Olympics.”

BBC Radio 5 live Controller Adrian Van Klaveren adds: “ Lennox is a fantastic addition to our commentary team across BBC Radio 5 live and Radio 5 live Olympics Extra. Our coverage across London 2012 is set to be radio as you’ve never heard it before - it’s hugely exciting.”

The new service for the Games Radio 5 live Olympics Extra will start broadcasting on Wednesday July 25 2012 on digital radio, Freeview and online. It will bring extra choice to listeners, offering extended commentary and a catch-up service through the night so that Radio 5 live and 5 live Olympics Extra together will allow listeners to follow the games 24-hours a day.

Across both Radio 5 live and Radio 5 live Olympics Extra there will be a record 580 hours of live commentary alongside 170 hours of highlights over the Games period. Mark Pougatch, who has broadcast at four Summer Olympics, leads the 5 live coverage from London during the Games.

(Source : BBC Media Centre)

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