As he entered the picture on television last night, he didn't look like the same person boxing fans were accustomed to seeing. His suit seemed to be just draped over his thin body, his face gaunt and pale behind the TV make up, his once thick black hair, now in thin gray strands atop his head. When he opened his mouth to speak though, his voice, perhaps a little weaker, was still there and the passion for the sport he loved and called for the last 10 years was present as well.
Nick Charles might not be a name the casual sports fan knows. He began on the national stage in 1980 when he was one of the first personalities, and the first sports anchor, that was hired at a new cable news channel called CNN. A new sports television program, called Sports Night, began as Charles teamed up with Fred Hickman for a successful 17 year run as they battled the up & coming ESPN and SportsCenter. Charles won three Cable Ace Awards as its' host as his thick, black hair, dark complexion, and good looks, were his calling card. In 2001, Charles left CNN to do boxing on Showtime's boxing series, ShoBox: The Next Generation. Charles again won a few awards for his blow-by-blow commentary. In August of 2009, things changed for Charles as he was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer.
He took a leave of absence from Showtime to treat the cancer that August. He came back to do a couple of more fights, but around Christmas time of last year, he knew the end was near. Doctors told him that his cancer was back, and more aggressive than ever, and that another round of chemo may extend his life by a couple of months...He decided to turn it down. His days of calling fights was likely over, as his battle is coming to an end. However, it was an article in Sports Illustrated's March 7, 2011 edition by Joe Posnanski, that caught the attention of some executives at HBO. In that article, Charles said he wanted to do one more fight, but also stated that it likely wouldn't happen. Once his wish was presented to HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg, the wheels were in motion. HBO's regular blow-by-blow announcer, Bob Papa, agreed to graciously step aside to allow Charles to fulfill his dying wish.
So here we are, Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 9:45pm. A couple of minutes into HBO's Boxing After Dark broadcast, Papa introduces Charles to call the first fight of the night between Mikey Garcia and Matt Remillard. When Charles enters the camera, you can see the excitement in his eyes and hear it in his voice. His hands look older than they should on his 64 year old frame as he his holding his note pad. After thanking all people in boxing who have expressed their well wishes, he dives into the broadcast like the pro he is. Along with Roy Jones, Jr and Max Kellerman, Charles delivers a great broadcast of a fight that was clearly dominated by Garcia. His questions and transitions to his analysts were seamless. He was well prepared and did a great job, something we are accustomed to in a Charles worked fight.
After the fight is over, Charles comes on camera again with Papa. They talk briefly about the fight. Charles then transitions to say that calling this fight was one of the highlights of his life. He thanks HBO for the opportunity and Papa for being so gracious in sharing the microphone with him. Papa wraps up with Charles by saying, "Buddy I love ya." Charles last words as he steps off camera, "Likewise". Is this the last we hear from Nick Charles? He has been given just weeks to live, so sadly, it might be. As he said before the bout, he wanted to do this one last fight to inspire others to carry on and do what they love, no matter what adversity they are facing. He certainly did that. Not only did he inspire those people, he inspired all of us with his courage to put himself out there one last time, despite all he is dealing with. Papa I think spoke for all of us when he said, "Buddy I love ya." Anyone who saw Charles work, past or present, and especially after Saturday night, would say the last word that he uttered on camera and agree with Papa and say, "Likewise".
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