Al Bernstein

Al Bernstein was born on September 15, 1950. He began his professional career in journalism during the 1970s, working at Lerner Newspapers in Chicago, where he eventually became a managing editor from 1974 to 1979. During his time as a newspaperman, he received the Chicago Newspaper Guild’s award for best news story for an investigation into illegal land deals. In 1978, he authored “Boxing For Beginners,” a book providing instructional and historical insights into boxing. He also contributed to “Boxing Illustrated” and “The Ring” magazine during this period, establishing his early involvement in sports journalism, particularly in boxing.

Bernstein transitioned into broadcasting in 1980, joining ESPN as a boxing analyst for the “Top Rank Boxing” series. He remained with ESPN until 2003, serving as an analyst and frequently as a host. This weekly series was a significant part of ESPN’s programming. During his 24 years at ESPN, he also covered major fights for “SportsCenter” and reported on Major League Baseball, NBA Basketball, and the NFL Draft. He wrote and hosted “Big Fights Boxing Hour” for ESPN Classic. His expertise led him to serve as the boxing analyst for NBC’s coverage of the Summer Olympic Games in both 1992 and 1996. From 1999 to 2002, he was a sports anchor for KVVU news in Las Vegas.

In 2003, Bernstein joined Showtime as the boxing analyst for “Showtime Championship Boxing,” a role he maintained until 2023. His contributions to boxing broadcasting earned him significant recognition, including the Sam Taub Award for excellence in boxing broadcasting journalism in 1988. In 2012, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, a high honor for broadcasters. The following year, he was also inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame as an inaugural inductee in the Media category. His work extends to acting, with appearances in films like “Rocky V” (1990) and “Bleed for This” (2016). He has also developed a career as a live musical performer, recording albums such as “My Very Own Songs” (1988) and “Let The Games Begin” (1996), and performing at various major casinos across the United States. He continues to engage with audiences through his social media presence and online platforms like Al Bernstein’s Boxing Hangouts and Quick Hits.