Jim Rosenthal axed by ITV

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:26

The news has been about for a week or so, although I only picked it up yesterday.

He'll see out his contract ie. "will continue to present what is left of ITV boxing" and then leave in the Summer, which coincides with the end of ITV's contract with Khan.

Seems to me like ITV has finished with the boxing. Concentrating on a bid for the FA Cup and England internationals, which will cost them many many times the price of boxing. Particularly short sighted on their part, given the fact Khan will be fighting for world titles in a year or two.

Presumably Warren will move lock and stock to Setanta now. Seems logical anyway. I really really hope a terrestrial channel is going to pick something up. I wouldn't like to throw a figure out, but I'm sure showing boxing costs a fraction of some programmes, and I think boxing could really do with a continued presence during its current revival.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... itv126.xml

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:28

I only know the cost of U.S. fights on SKY. Pavlik v Taylor cost around £40k.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:35

That's a shame, I hope Setanta pick him up to do the shows Dempsey doesn't as I quite like the count.

Didn't he turn down the Grand Prix coverage because boxing was his real passion?

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:42

rose the nose! Noooooooo

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:45

Lenny wrote:That's a shame, I hope Setanta pick him up to do the shows Dempsey doesn't as I quite like the count.

Didn't he turn down the Grand Prix coverage because boxing was his real passion?

They replaced him with the dude they signed from Grandstand when it was axed. His name escapes me, Steve something.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:48

Steve Rider is the chap. can't believe that Jim is 60 years old.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 04 Feb 2008, 11:48

steve rider, a consummate pro

Matt W · Post by **Matt W** » 04 Feb 2008, 12:16

I recently nominated Billy Graham for a high profile coaching award which he duly won. The presentation was made at a 'posh do' at The Dorchester hotel, presented by Princess Anne and compered by Steve Ryder. To introduce Billy's award Smooth Ryder read out what I had written. A bit of a surreal moment that was...

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 04 Feb 2008, 12:29

I'll miss Jim. A real pro and got the balance just right.

Matt W · Post by **Matt W** » 04 Feb 2008, 12:34

And as a bonus he looks like Sesame Street's Count. What's not to like???

Flump · Post by **Flump** » 04 Feb 2008, 13:18

Safe pair of hands Jim, he'll be missed. Hopefully SKY will pick him up, that Dave bloke winds me up.

banjo · Post by **banjo** » 04 Feb 2008, 14:18

Flump wrote:Safe pair of hands Jim, he'll be missed. Hopefully SKY will pick him up, that Dave bloke winds me up.

That would be Dave Clark the grinning goon

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 04 Feb 2008, 14:52

i dont think dave clark has done too bad considering he was replacing a very good man in paul dempsey. anyway...im more interested in what happens inside the ring.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 Feb 2008, 15:25

It does seem to be a strange decision as he has been doing more football recently.... but he was generally lambasted for his presenting of the RWC - yes, alot by non-english viewers but also cause it was clear he is not the biggest fan of the sport. So I do wonder if this was part of the reasoning.

Sad thing is, it looks like ITV are out of boxing - despite decent ratings and new episodes of the archive "Best of Big fight live" on ITV 4.

Last weekends presentation/production was one of ITV's better efforts - full of boxing really, less B/S.

Gutted about that - Boxing needs to be on terrestial TV.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 04 Feb 2008, 16:52

I think Jim Rosenthal is, and has been, a great presenter. His voice is synonymous with ITV boxing. Looks like ITV are getting out of boxing again.
Setanta is now the real boxing channel imo

harrygreb · Post by **harrygreb** » 04 Feb 2008, 17:18

less BS stu? wow, i can only summise that there has been so much of it we are now failing to recognize the stuff.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 Feb 2008, 18:19

harrygreb wrote:less BS stu? wow, i can only summise that there has been so much of it we are now failing to recognize the stuff.

What I meant was the time from introduction to fight 1, and then from fight 1 to fight 2.

There was more boxing action in these shows than in previous shows... thats what it felt like, and at least it wasn't ALL about Khan. Jennings vs Minter had a bit of attention also.

Normally if a fight finishes early, ITV will repeat it as a filler - this time they showed a different fight.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 04 Feb 2008, 18:33

Its a disgrace, Jim's one of the few presenters left who actually knows whats he doing!.... :x :x :x

HairyBoxe24 · Post by **HairyBoxe24** » 04 Feb 2008, 22:29

Can't say I like him as much as others seem to, I think it was because he did so many things before boxing - I like someone who specializes in on area.

Wouldn't say I disliked him though.

banjaxd · Post by **banjaxd** » 04 Feb 2008, 22:42

axed, sounds a bit harsh and not just a little messy...
cany they just put him out to pasture or point him in the direction of cable ?

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 05 Feb 2008, 04:26

Not a fan of Jimbo - He made a mess of the F1 coverage.

Mind you Steve Ryder has sold his soul and isn't half as good as he was on the beeb.

Ash-Weston · Post by **Ash-Weston** » 05 Feb 2008, 08:03

Steve Bunce might do it.But isnt he tied the BBC? coz i saw him present an Amateur show on grandstand once

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 05 Feb 2008, 08:04

Ash-Weston wrote:Steve Bunce might do it.But isnt he tied the BBC? coz i saw him present an Amateur show on grandstand once

He's on Setanta too.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 05 Feb 2008, 09:35

Jim has proved himself a class act for 28 years.

Simply irreplaceable.

whicker · Post by **whicker** » 05 Feb 2008, 09:41

Personally, I couldn't care less- not in a nasty way, of course- its just that I don't ever pay attention to commentators, pundits, critics, studio experts and all that. Me, I'd rather see more boxing action and less talk.