What motivated the legendary music duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to mention a bow tie with an embedded camera in the 1968 classic song, “America?”
Who knows?
But such a device exists, and it helps ESPN serve boxing fans.
The use of the POV Bow Tie Camera during some Top Rank on ESPN matchups, including this April as Vasiliy Lomachenko knocked out Anthony Crolla, has not only provided action from the referee’s unique perspective, but has given fans an exciting and immersive view inside the ring.
Fans again will get this distinct perspective during this Saturday’s Top Rank on ESPN card headlined by unbeaten lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury taking on Tom Schwarz at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Though capable of delivering live video, the POV Bow Tie Camera primarily will be used for replays of key moments. It is worn by referees, double-pinned to their shirts, with transmitters delivering video over wireless connection into the production environment, giving ESPN producers and directors another tool in their storytelling toolkit.
“ESPN continues to push the envelope of how we can present our coverage to the viewer and fans,” said producer Jim Zirolli. “The Bow Tie Cameras provide fans with access that is not available any other way than through this technology. That is what I believe our priority of Innovation means, brainstorming, creating and executing new ways to present the content to the viewer. This is certainly in line with that.”
Fury versus Schwarz will stream live, exclusively on ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
Paul Halsey with Admiral Video provided the video.
A cool animation from SportsCenter voiced by @JoeTessESPN about @Tyson_Fury's imposing size, height and reach. The Gypsy King headlines another huge @trboxing card Saturday night on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/avqd89TYOJ
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) June 13, 2019
