Gus Johnson replaces Steve Albert as Showtime’s lead boxing announcer

Gus Johnson, the CBS play-by-play announcer for EliteXC’s three broadcasts on the network, furthered his foray into combat sports by being named as premium cable provider Showtime’s new play-by-play announcer of its flagship boxing series, Showtime Championship Boxing.

The news was announced earlier today by Senior Vice President and General Manager of Showtime’s Sports and Event Programming, Ken Hershman.

“Gus brings incredible energy and a fresh approach to every broadcast,” Hershman said in a press release. “He has the ability to match the intensity of the moment and there are few moments in sports more intense than a hard-fought boxing match. Gus and Showtime Championship boxing are the perfect match.”

Johnson is replacing longtime announcer Steve Albert, who has been calling fights for Showtime since 1987. Albert is remaining with the network and will call fights when Johnson’s NFL and college basketball broadcast duties create a scheduling conflict. Al Bernstein will remain as Showtime’s lead color commentator for boxing.

Johnson played NCAA Division I baseball while attending Howard University. Since graduating, he has spent time training in several combat sports such as boxing and Kung Fu. He currently trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City.

“Having worked with the likes of Gil Clancy, Tony Paige and Steve Farhood, calling the New York City Golden Gloves and the Broadway Boxing series has prepared me for this tremendous opportunity with SHOWTIME,” Johnson is quoted as saying. “And to work alongside Al Bernstein will be a tremendous honor. I have admired Al’s work for so many years dating back to his time at ESPN. He is a boxing historian, a boxing purist and a true fan. Above all, he is a great broadcaster. I think I will learn a lot working with Al.”

Sam Caplan is the President of Combat Sports Media, LLC, the parent company of FiveOuncesOfPain.com. CSM is a B-2-B outsource solution in the MMA industry and provides PR, web management, and other consulting services to MMA companies. Clients of CSM include the Combat Sports Championships and Showtime.
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