Panama

I've been offered interviews with Panama Lewis several times in the past. I always turned them down because I didn't want to give him any publicity. I believe that what he did is a cardinal sin in boxing and I agree with his banishment from the sport.

The film Assault in the Ring on HBO did nothing to change my opinion, though I'm sure that Resto knew what was happening. Assault has received a ton of media attention and when Panama was offered to me again because he wanted to comment on the film, I agreed.

I was offered the exclusive interview because our mutual friend knew I would be fair. And I will be. But I told my friend this will not be a feel good interview. Lewis was convicted by a jury and I believe the conviction was just. He said that's fine, but Panama has some real problems with the film and wants to get his side of the story out.

I also invited the filmmaker Eric Drath to go head to head with Lewis. He declined, saying that he's not Lewis' accuser and didn't want to debate him. Drath was on with us about a year ago when he was still trying to get the film picked up.

Tune in Thursday night for some real fireworks.

Also, on the show, a boxer who is one of the real good guys in the sport and a newly crowned champ, Devon Alexander.

A couple of funny moments from the road this weekend:

My kids came to watch me ring announce for the first time. I announced ShoBox Friday night and the undercard of Bradley - Campbell Saturday night. They attended the Friday night show.

The hotel was promoting the show and "special guest ring announcer Sugar Ray Leonard". That was news to me and wouldn't be the first time that I've traveled to an event to find out someone else was doing my job. Turns out SRL was simply a VIP guest.

In the elevator where one of the Sugar Ray posters was prominently featured, I said to my son, "Shouldn't it say, special guest ring announcer Marc Lichtenfeld?" He replied, "No, you're not special." Thanks kid. Thanks a lot. I'll remember that when the college tuition is due.

During the show, both my 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter noticed the ring card girls. After getting an eyeful, my son proclaimed rather innocently, "Some people look good in bikinis."

My daughter was perplexed. She asked my wife why the girls were doing that. Rule #1 with kids is when asked a simple question, give a simple answer. The correct response would have been, "so that everyone knows what round it is." I'm 100% certain that would have satisfied her curiosity.

Instead, my wife goes on a sociological rant about how the girls weren't raised right and never went to college and this was the only way they could make money, etc, etc.

Good wholesome family entertainment at the fights in the casino.

Put me in, Coach

We’re running a “Best of Through the Ropes” this week. I had a great show planned. Andre Ward was scheduled to come to the studio to co-host with me. Every summer that I visit San Francisco, I make my calls to book Ward and it never happens. This time, publicist Marylyn Aceves worked her magic and got him for me.

However, when the coach taps you on the shoulder and says get in the game, you get in the game. So when Gary Shaw Productions told me that I’d be ring announcing Shobox Friday night and the undercard of Bradley – Campbell the following evening, I said I’d be there.

But in order to do that, I have to make the 8 hour drive to Temecula from San Francisco on Thursday. Make that at least a 10 hour drive since I’ve got two kids who will certainly need to stop to eat and go to the bathroom. Kids are annoying that way.

So Mr. Ward and I will have to dance next year when I’m in town. Hopefully we’ll have him on the show remotely before he fights Mikkel Kessler in Showtime’s tournament this fall.

It's Showtime

This week we have the always entertaining Nate Campbell. Also, Showtime boxing chief Ken Hershman will be on to talk about how he put together the upcoming Super Middleweight tournament.

Next week, Andre Ward will be in the studio with us.

Talk to you tonight.

Tribute to Arturo Gatti

This week Through the Ropes pays tribute to Arturo Gatti. His promoter Kathy Duva will join us as will HBO's Jim Lampley, who called most of his fights over the past decade, including the trilogy with Mickey Ward.

I hope that you'll call in or email with your thoughts or favorite memories of Arturo. If you met him, I especially want to hear from you.

A recurring theme on Through the Ropes is how we love fighters that don't quit. Arturo didn't know the meaning of the word and is one of the reasons why he was so beloved by boxing fans. He was everything that boxing fans want in a fighter. Bravery, toughness, power and skill. And he was a good interview as well.

It will be an honor to pay tribute to him and his legacy on Thursday night.

Fast Eddie

In addition to Donaire in the studio, Fast Eddie Chambers will be on with us as well talking about the Dimitrenko fight and his plans for the future.

FYI -- check us out on Twitter @ TTRopes

Filipino Flash

Just talked with Nonito Donaire. He's going to come to the studio Thursday night to sit in as co-host. It was almost two years to the day that he knocked out Vic Darchinyan. Five days later, he came to the studio to co-host with me. He was extraordinarily nice and humble. I'd even call him a little green. Nonito still seemed wowed by his newfound stardom.

Two years later his star has fallen quite a bit as he has not been seen by US audiences. There have been reports of him acting like a prima donna.

We'll see which Filipino Flash shows up Thursday night.

I'm still working on guest #2. Possibilities include Gary Shaw matchmaker John Beninati (which could be interesting considering the bad blood between Donaire and Shaw) and Don King. I'll update the blog when the guest is booked.

On another front, I've been told I'm ring announcing the Darchinyan - Agbeko fight on Showtime this weekend. It will be my first Showtime World Championship Boxing. Don't know why Jimmy isn't doing it. I actually expect to show up Saturday night and see him there, relegating me to undercard status.

If I do get the main event, it should be interesting considering that Don King would like to make the event the east coast tribute to Michael Jackson.

The question is do I moonwalk on Showtime?

This Week's Show

Sorry to be brief, but I'm still recovering from a 17 hour traveling day with 2 kids. Tonight we've got light heavy contender Shaun George and IBO President Ed Levine.

Back to my nap so I can be somewhat articulate tonight.