Boxing

Meet Marysol Castro, host of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN

Marysol Castro.  (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
Marysol Castro. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

Marysol Castro was recently named host of the new Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN series and will make her debut when the series premieres live in prime time tomorrow (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET). Castro, who will be on site for all PBC on ESPN fights, will also serve as a reporter on ESPN’s Little League World Series telecasts.

Castro joins an all-star PBC on ESPN commentator roster, which includes blow-by-blow commentator Joe Tessitore, analyst Teddy Atlas and reporters Todd Grisham and Bernardo Osuna.

Front Row caught up with Castro on the eve of ESPN’s first PBC show:

What excites you most about hosting PBC on ESPN?
Everything. I’m excited about the energy of covering a live sporting event. There is a bit of instant gratification when you are inches away from the athletes, the coaches, the trainers and the like. To be able to share that energy with such pros like Teddy, Joe, Todd and Bernardo is just fantastic. I’m really looking forward to it.

If I were to gather the collective knowledge swirling around in their brains, it would fit in a McMansion. Ok maybe not that big but you get the idea. They are generous with their time and ideas, super personal and have welcomed me to the team with open arms. I just have to make sure I have a hot dog at the ready. A certain Mr. Atlas apparently likes a hot dog before each fight. . . too bad the 4th of July was last weekend!

What were your ties to sports when you were younger?
Growing up in the Bronx, there weren’t a whole lot of organized sports leagues to which I was privy. I was lucky enough to do gymnastics because my sister was my coach. It was the only way we could afford it. I played a mean game of stickball and Wiffle ball in the alley behind my house. In high school and college I played volleyball, I ran track and played rugby. Yes, rugby. Scrum-half. If you don’t know what that is, look it up.

I loved watching the Knicks and the Yankees as a kid. It was the 70’s and early 80’s. The Knicks were at the height of their powers. I still can’t believe Patrick Ewing never got a ring. My family and I used to buy bleacher seats at the stadium on hot summer days. Some of my best memories are listening to the bang of pots and pans in the bleachers of Yankee Stadium.

For more on ESPN’s extensive coverage plans leading up to and during tomorrow night’s telecast, visit ESPN MediaZone.

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