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Larry Holman Blog

HBO's "24/7" looks like a winner
Friday, December 8, 2006 | Print Entry

HBO premiered the first episode of its new boxing documentary series "Norton-Haynes 24/7" last night and, as those who also watched it would agree, it was some of the most fascinating television I've seen for some time. When the network announced plans for the series back in October they promised it would "give viewers a "behind the scenes" insight into the two combatants' lives and preparations for what will be the biggest fight of their careers." Well, I have to say that's exactly what the opening episode delivered. It was professionally produced, with an excellent soundtrack and suitably reverential narration provided by Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor Liev Schreiber.

The episode opened at the sprawling Pensacola compound of trainer Roy Jones. Filmed two weeks ago, the five-minute segment gave the viewer a brief tour of the surprisingly low-key, fancy-free property and an eye-opening look at Haynes during a gut-busting training session with his fellow Florida Alliance stablemates Romy Alvarez, James Ray, Elmer Ray and Holman Williams, a thumping hip-hop track as the backdrop. Haynes expressed the absolute admiration and respect he has for Jones as his trainer and "soul brother" and credited him as the one individual who really did the most to turn his life around. The fact that Jones' residence is as much a training camp as a home was made clear when it's revealed that the five boxers share two large rooms between them when staying there: Haynes and Williams in one, the Ray cousins and Alvarez in the other. According to Jones it keeps them in the right frame of mind for training effectively.

We then moved some 2,000 miles west to San Diego and the significantly more upscale surroundings that Ken Norton calls home. The former WBC champion was in the mood to entertain and showed the HBO crew around his stunning two-storey, dozen-bedroom mansion before treating them to a five-star three-course dinner. His family aside Norton has a large entourage of friends and hangers-on, many of whom were present at his home on this particular night. Amongst them was fellow IBL competitor and former WBC middleweight champion James Toney. The two men have been friends for many years and although Toney calls Los Angeles home he's staying with Norton while he trains for the Haynes fight. He's there at the gym the following day as an assistant to Norton's trainer Ernie Bennett. When asked about preparations for his own upcoming IBL bout Toney ignored the question and quickly changed the subject. Although he's not the focus of the show this scene was telling as it gave credence to the recent rumours that Toney won't be extending his IBL contract when it expires on December 24.

After the first commercial break we were treated to a fly on the wall look at the lively December 2 MGM Grand press conference, where some heated words were exchanged between the two camps both publicly and away from the spotlight, scenes only HBO's cameras had access to. If there's one certainty that came out of that event it's this: Terone Haynes' dislike of Ken Norton is entirely genuine. During the conference Haynes brought up the topic of Norton's refusal to fight him during 2005 when it was clear that the Miami native was the most worthy challenger to Norton's position as world champion after claiming the WBO title from Ray Mercer the previous September. It's a subject that Haynes clearly hasn't put behind him, one he sees worthy of holding a grudge over. Haynes also criticised Norton for his tough words from the previous week, saying "Where those big man words be las' year when you was duckin' me, y'all?"

The final segment of the episode focused on the start of this week, with Norton talking about his new friendship with fellow San Diego fighter Orlin Norris, who he accompanied to the ring before his IBL Americas Championship success last night while the episode was being broadcast. Norton spoke of his ambition to groom and mentor young Californian fighters, such as Norris and his fellow heavyweight Sam McVey, adding that it's something he plans to continue doing when the day finally comes when he hangs up his gloves. Back in Florida, the cameras followed Haynes as he made a brief visit to his family and friends in his hometown Miami, where he received an overwhelming welcome. Keeping with the "guided tour" theme of the episode Haynes took the HBO crew to his own home, which while beautiful doesn't come close to the extravagance enjoyed by Norton.

We were able to see Haynes away from the ring, at home being affectionate and at ease with his family: his wife Lisa and their two year-old son, Terone Jr. The last minute or so of the episode was a rapid-fire sequence of Haynes and Norton training with Schreiber's final words at the conclusion of a lengthy narrative being "The fight, is 22 days away" before the screen cut to black and the credits rolled. I can only speak for myself, but without a doubt that one episode has already heightened the excitement and anticipation I'm feeling about this fight. I can't remember the last time boxing fans were treated to something that regarded the sport with so much respect. When I think that the "24/7" concept was the brainchild of IBL president James Molk I can't help but feel even more admiration for him than I already do. Next week's second installment can't come fast enough.