When Top Rank Boxing returned to ESPN’s airwaves on June 7 for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the boxing production team faced numerous challenges. How do you coordinate five announcers, five talent locations (including several home studios), and two telecast sites (Bristol and Las Vegas) while practicing social distancing?
In the video above, go behind the scenes with Vice President, Production, Mike McQuade as he explains how his team managed the process. Top Rank boxing events continue on ESPN platforms tonight and through June (on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 8 and 11 p.m. ET).
Jon McLeod produced the video.
In Las Vegas, ESPN commentator Bernardo Osuna interviews boxer Adam Lopez.(Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)
In Bristol, :producer Jim Zirolli works on one portion of the remote broadcast.(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
From Bristol, Joe Tessitore anchored the telecast and provided the blow-by-blow call of the action in Vegas. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
In Bristol’s Studio F, Axel Bravo operates the jib camera.(Joe Faraoni/ ESPN Images)