Tuning In

Boxing double take

Spike TV gets into the boxing business tonight with a replay of this month’s Byrd-Golota battle.

The network for men will telecast the April 17 heavyweight bout between Chris Byrd and Andrew Golota at 9 tonight.

The two-hour program, titled “Knockout,” also will feature a behind-the-scenes peek at the boxing world through the eyes of promoter Don King, a show in and of himself.

The broadcast marks Spike TV’s first foray into championship boxing, a realm more typically associated with ESPN, Showtime and HBO on the cable dial.

The telecast also includes the April 17 fight between World Boxing Association heavyweight champ John Ruiz and challenger Fres Oquendo.

Byrd fought Golota to a draw in their match, letting him retain his International Boxing Federation belt. The fight marked Golota’s first return to Madison Square Garden since he was disqualified for hitting Riddick Bowe with repeated low blows eight years ago.

Reality pugilism

Speaking of boxing, Fox has decided the sport could be the next reality playground.

The network, following on the heels of NBC’s upcoming reality show “The Contender,” is gearing up to produce “The Next Great Champ,” Reuters News Agency reports.

The show will feature a dozen aspiring prizefighters from across the country hoping for a shot at fame and fortune.

Created in partnership with boxer Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and reality TV heavyweight Endemol USA, the show will hold casting calls in cities across the country for fighters between 130 pounds and 170 pounds who are either amateurs or have fought in pro fights of four rounds or fewer.

Each fighter will be accompanied on the series by a “cornerman,” a person, Fox said, who will be drawn from the fighter’s personal life.

The winner will receive a “large cash prize,” according to Fox, a possible title fight and a contract with Golden Boy.

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