AS ITS ANSWER to NBC's Gillette Cavalcade of Sports/Friday Night Fights, ABC gave us this so similar series, even to the functional descriptive title. Wednesday NIGHT FIGHTS gave the fans of the "Sweet Science" an extra evening at home, right at ringside.
IN MUCH THE same tradition of the older show, WNF had a singular sponsor. In this case it was the Pabst Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; who were the brewers of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer.* The company's advertising jingle of "Whatta'll ya have? PABST BLUE RIBBON!" soon became as widely known as the Gillette Blue Blade March.
DOING THE HONORS in commentating on the weekly card of bouts was talented and likable (and very tall) Jack Drees. Having a wide experience in doing other sports casts, Mr. Drees was known for broadcasting Football, Basketball and Baseball. We're proud to say that we fondly remember his work on our Chicago White Sox Games over WFLD Channel 32,. during the mid-1960s.
AS FOR ITS venue, there may have been some exceptions for traveling to other cities, but the usual place of origin was in NYC, at St. Nicholas Arena.
WERE TWO NETWORK Boxing series enough for America? Well, hell no; for we even had a Monday NIGHT FIGHTS Show at one time, running concurrently with the other two!
NOTE * For you beer aficionados, we are happy to report that PABST BLUE RIBBON got its name by winning a 1st Prize Award at the 1893 WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION (World's Fair) in Chicago. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Miller Brewing.
