HBO grants Charles' wish

I am a week late on this, but kudos to HBO for giving Nick Charles, terminally ill with bladder cancer, the mike for a bout on last Saturday’s “Boxing After Dark’’ card in Atlantic City.

Producer Rick Bernstein had read in Sports Illustrated that Charles wanted to call one last fight, so he invited him to do so. Regular announcer Bob Papa gladly stepped aside and Charles got his wish.

For many fans, Charles is best remembered as CNN’s original sports anchor and long-time co-host of “CNN Sports Tonight,’’ once the equal of ESPN’s “SportsCenter’’ in the nightly highlights race.