By Jake Donovan

HBO and Showtime were the only American networks whose boxing content garnered consideration for the 35th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards. HBO’s boxing programs earned the network four of its 17 overall nominations—including Outstanding Live Sports Series (HBO Boxing)—while Showtime’s All Access series was recognized among its eight total entries.

Nominations for all categories were released Wednesday morning by the National Academy of Television Arts & Science.

ESPN2, Fox Sports 1 and Telemundo also received nominations in several categories, although none were related to boxing.

Showtime scored the highest grossing boxing event of 2013—and all-time—with Floyd Mayweather’s 12-round points win over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. The event generated well over 2 million pay-per-view units sold, which actually exceeded the total for the highest-rated cable-televised boxing card on the year.

The aftermath of the fight—in which Mayweather dominated but was forced to settle for a majority decision win—was documented in All Access: Mayweather vs. Canelo Epilogue, which was nominated for Outstanding Edited Sports Event Coverage.

In addition to HBO Boxing receiving a nomination for Outstanding Live Sports Series, three more nominations came in two separate categories.

HBO’s 24/7 series received more nominations (7) than any other program this year. Included among its seven nominations was 24/7: Pacquiao vs. Rios, receiving a nomination for Outstanding Editing.

The series was one of three entrants HBO placed in the category. Two were boxing-related, the other nomination going towards the long awaited airing of Legendary Nights: The Tale of Gatti-Ward, a look back at the three-fight series between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward. 

The documentary premiered last October, coming ten years following the 12 30-minute episodes that aired as part of a series in 2003. Legendary Nights: The Tale of Gatti-Ward was the only entrant among the series to feature an extended run-time, going 75-minutes – nearly the equivalent of three separate installments.

HBO Boxing received its fourth boxing-related nomination in the Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement–Institutional category, for its image depicting the fall boxing season on the network.

The official awards ceremony will take place at the Time Warner Center in New York City on Tuesday, May 6. TV icon Ted Turner will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award during the ceremony.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of krikya360.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America.

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox