ESPN series “The Fight Life” offers comprehensive insight into Top Rank Boxing

All-access sports series have been all the rage in recent years, from HBO’s Hard blows Franchise to Netflix' quarterback Generate enthusiasm and attract viewers.

ESPN believes there is an audience for an all-access series featuring some of boxing's top stars. The network announced Wednesday that a new five-part series, The fighting lifewill premiere on ESPN+ on October 7, then air on ESPN2.

The series follows the adventures of Top Rank Boxing stars Tyson Fury, Naoya Inoue, Seniesa Estrada, Teofimo Lopez and Josh Taylor over the course of a year of competition. ESPN's press release for the series states: “As the boxers prepare for some of the biggest fights of their careers, the episodes document the traveling circus that is the business of the sport and offer a living, breathing, hard-hitting, 360-degree portrait of the 'fight life.'”

“The fighting life showcases all the qualities that make boxing so compelling: rich personal stories of sacrifice and determination, pressure and, of course, conflict,” said Lindsay Rovegno, VP of Production for ESPN Originals, in a statement. “Whether you're a diehard boxing fan or someone who simply loves great characters and quality storytelling, this exciting new series features the unique perspectives of extraordinary fighters that we're excited to share with viewers.”

It will not be the first boxing show with free access; Amazon Prime has launched the long-standing and aptly named Full access series that documents boxers. But the star power of Fury, who appears in the first episode, not to mention Inoue, who has held multiple world titles in various classes, should generate some interest in the new ESPN series.

[ESPN]