Charles set to return on air for Showtime

The longtime boxing announcer has been out of action since August, when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. But with the cancer in remission and his strength returning, Charles is preparing to get back behind the microphone for Showtime on Jan. 29 for the Chris Avalos-Jose Nieves bantamweight fight in Albuquerque, N.M.

“I feel like a million bucks,” Charles said from his home in Atlanta, where he has been watching tapes of the fighters as he prepares for his return. “Everything’s coming back. I’m 80 percent in remission. I’m just so excited about getting back to doing what I love.”

Charles, 63, said he’s due for a checkup in late March at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was treated last summer. The fact that he can return to work is the most positive sign yet in his battle.

“You have no idea how great it is to make notes, watch tape and prep,” he said. “I finally feel like my life is getting back to normal.”

Charles said a good attitude and support from family and friends helped him manage during his ordeal.

“You learn who your true friends are,” he said. “I had calls from people from out of the blue, follow-up calls from friends and people in boxing. It has meant so much.

“I also learned to value happiness, to enjoy every day. I also learned a lot about myself. I showed that I can fight back.”

Charles did a brief stint behind the mike in November when he worked the international feed of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight. But this is different.

His return to “ShoBox: The New Generation” is like coming home. He has done the series since its inception in 2001, and the fact he can have his seat back at ringside means the world to him.

“You never know if you’ll be able to come back or if they’ll have you back,” he said. “Coming back for this card, for Showtime, I feel like I’m back in the groove.”

• MOSLEY-BERTO OFFICIALS — Las Vegas veteran Joe Cortez will referee the Jan. 30 welterweight unification title fight between Shane Mosley and Andre Berto at Mandalay Bay. The judges will be Robert Hoyle and Adalaide Byrd of Las Vegas and Ed Kugler of Colorado.

Lou DiBella, who promotes Berto, objected to the use of Byrd, claiming she is from Mosley’s hometown of Los Angeles. But Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer pointed out to DiBella that Byrd has lived in Las Vegas for many years and is originally from Philadelphia. Her husband, Robert, a longtime referee, is originally from Los Angeles.

• THEY’RE CLEAN — Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., passed their random drug tests administered by the NAC on Dec. 30, with both fighters’ urine samples coming back negative.

Pacquiao will fight Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Arlington, Texas, after negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight fell through following a battle over pre-fight drug testing. Golden Boy Promotions, which had been representing Mayweather, still wants to use the March 13 date at the MGM Grand for Mayweather.

But with Mayweather’s opponent not set, the NAC on Friday decided to table Golden Boy’s request for the date until a fight is made. The matter will be on the commission’s agenda next month.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.