BERNSTEIN, TOMPKINS AND BUFFER REUNITE FOR "MONDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" CHUCK ZITO RINGSIDE REPORTER BROADCAST AND ANNOUNCING TEAM NAMED FOR MARCH 31 HBOPPV CARD

NEW YORK, March 14 - They have three of the most recognizeable voices in boxing history: the broadcast team of Al Bernstein and Barry Tompkins, and the golden-throated ring announcer Michael Buffer.

Put them together for the first time in eight years, and DiBella Entertainment's March 31 edition of "Monday Night Fights" is providing not only the best in boxing action, but the best voices in the game calling the show.

"I've worked with more partners than anyone else who ever announced boxing matches, but the eight years of working with Barry were special," said Bernstein of his history of working fights with Tompkins at ESPN.

"We could finish each other's sentences. There was and is a synergy that I believe enhances the telecast for the viewer, which after all, is our ultimate goal."

Adds Tompkins, "Over the course of time, I believe Al and I have done about 300 fights together. This represents a chance to reunite while working for a guy we both like, Lou DiBella. We're hopeful that it is the beginning of something new rather than the revival of something old."

"Monday Night Fights" premieres on Monday, March 31, and will be distributed by the leader in television boxing, HBOPPV. The Pay-Per-View broadcast begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and has a suggested retail price of $24.95.

Michael Buffer, the premier ring announcer in boxing today, will kick off the Pay-Per-View festivities in his own trademark style, and rounding out the team as a sideline reporter will be former Golden Gloves boxer and star of HBO's OZ series Chuck Zito. "It is great to be back at ring center with Barry and Al broadcasting from ringside," said Buffer. "It's been almost 10 years since we've worked together and I'm really looking forward to March 31st. I think the big winners on that night will be the fight fans who tune in because they'll get to see a super line-up of boxing with the best blow-by-blow and analyst broadcast duo EVER!" Headlining the inaugural broadcast of "Monday Night Fights" is a world junior bantamweight title fight featuring WBO champion Fernando Montiel (25-0-1, 19 KOs), putting his crown on the line against former World champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson (40-3, 27 KOs). Other bouts include a middleweight clash between Jermain Taylor and Brian Barbosa, a heavyweight battle between Derek Bryant and Eric Kirkland, and a lightweight bout featuring Angel Manfredy.

ABOUT THE BROADCAST AND ANNOUNCING TEAM

Al Bernstein is best known to a national audience as the voice of ESPN boxing, but he has also carved out a career of varied endeavors, and achieved success in television, radio and as a live stage performer and recording artist. From 19880 to 1998 Al served as analyst (and often host) of the Top Rank Boxing Series- winning numerous awards such as Boxing Broadcaster of the year. In 1990 he was the only sportscaster on Sports Magazine’s “Best 100 in Sports.” During that time Al also wrote and hosted over 20 anthology shows on boxing, and wrote and hosted the critically acclaimed “Big Fights Boxing” series on ESPN Classic Sports Network. Al now does special essays called “Bernstein on Boxing” every Tuesday night on classic sport. For all his 22 years at ESPN Al has covered all the major boxing matches for Sportscenter, and he continues now in that capacity. He also covers major league baseball, and NBA basketball, for Sportscenter, and has done play by play on college basketball for ESPN. Al has done over 50 major Pay Per View telecasts including great fights such as Marvin Hagler- Tommy Hearns, Evander Holyfield-Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe, Marivn Hagler-Roberto Duran, and Sugar Ray Leonard- Roberto Duran.

Barry Tompkins Recipient of six Ace Awards, four Emmys, a Press Club Award and the Sam Taub Award for Boxing Commentator of the Year, Barry Tompkins currently covers over 60 events a year for Fox Sports Net, including Pac-10 football, basketball and the Fox Sunday Night Fights. Over the last 30 years, Tompkins has covered five Olympic Games, 20 Super Bowls, six World Series, 14 Wimbledon Championships, six French Open Tennis Championships, three U.S. Open Tennis Championships, three NCAA Final Fours, The Masters and countless championship boxing matches.

Michael Buffer is world renowned for his tuxedo image and famous trademarked phrase “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!”. He is considered one of the most recognized faces in the world of sports and entertainment due to his 19 plus years of announcing many of the biggest championship boxing events and many other internationally televised sports and entertainment events. He is considered the “Voice of Champions” by millions of fans worldwide. The demand for his special voice-over work for entertainment and special advertising and promotional campaigns is constantly growing due to the fact that his voice is so highly distinguishable to the public.

Chuck Zito, bodyguard to the stars, former Golden Gloves boxer, martial arts expert, past president of the N.Y. Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels, and actor on the award winning HBO drama Oz, is the star of the upcoming USA Network series Chuck Zito's Street Justice.

For more information on DiBella Entertainment, please visit our website at www.dbe1.com




Copyright 2003 Total Action Inc.