Showtime boxing announcer Nick Charles takes leave of absence to fight cancer

Showtime boxing announcer Charles has cancer

LOS ANGELES — Showtime boxing announcer Nick Charles has taken a leave of absence while battling bladder cancer.

Charles, a longtime CNN sportscaster, has been part of Showtime’s ShoBox series since it began in 2001. The 63-year-old journalist has begun treatment at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Charles was among the first reporters hired by CNN, hosting programs for the cable news network for 21 years. He also hosted several Goodwill Games broadcasts for Turner Sports.

“Having bladder cancer is clearly the greatest challenge of my life,” Charles said. “Now it’s time for a face-first assault. Like a fighter, just give me one round at a time and I’ll eventually win.”