What is the best commentary you have ever heard?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 23 Apr 2004, 09:49

McCoy's post on the most biased commentary got me thinking about commentary which enhanced the fantastic action in the ring. For me, Reg Gutteridge's commentary on the Sugar Ray Leonard-Ayub Kalule showdown in Houston in 1981 was unbelievable. Reg was working alone and picked up the whole 'feel' of the fight in his commentary. Leonard was landing the bombs but Kalule was showing a lot of class and defiance - and was actually winning over the huge crowd in the Superdome.
Gutteridge's commentary on the Jorgen Hansen-Dave "Boy" Green shocker in Denmark in 1979 was also memorable. Legendary Danish promoter Mogens Palle still pops the tape in to listen to Gutteridge's commentary when he wants cheering up.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 23 Apr 2004, 10:14

Depends how you wish to define "best".

If you're talking memorable, then the final round of Bruno vs McCall was just that (in my opinion), with the limited Bruno hanging on in there, and the commentry team basically willing him to do just that..

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 23 Apr 2004, 11:46

Reg G did a great job on the Hagler/Hearns war too ( "..the first round, like a mine field..).

David Frost actualy did a good job covering the Ali/Foreman fight too - not too sure why he was chosen to do the satellite feed though..

I've always like Howard Cosell as a commentator - his coverage of Foreman/Frazier 1 is a classic ( Down goes Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!! )

One of the best was old timer Don Dunphy - he did radio and then TV for the States, from Louis through to Ali. He even did the Leonard/Hearns showdown, probably in his 80's by then. You can hear him on this link:

http://www.radiohof.org/sportscasters/dondunphy.html

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 23 Apr 2004, 12:19

I thought David Frost was appalling on The Rumble. He clearly knows jackshit about the sport. He kept repeating that Ali had won 'by a knockdown'- eh? and 'that was no phantom punch' as if to confess the only other Ali fight he knew about was Liston 2.

Ditto Cosell. I will concede I've only heard a few of his commentaries, but those I did implied his knowledge was scant. When someone lands a decent blow he'll constantly repeat a phrase like 'Foreman is hurt' and then wait for his co-commentator (usually a pro fighter) to explain the logistics.

I always thought Gutteridge had some good one-liners (that he repeated constantly) but had little by way of true understanding of what he was watching.

I rate Ian Darke. And John Rawling when he's calm. Sometimes his Radio 5 commentaries suggest a fighter is out on his feet, then you watch the fight and it's nothing of the sort. He's always good on 'Fighting Talk'.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 23 Apr 2004, 13:40

The American version of Hagler vs Leonard was class (Gill Clancy and can't remember the main commentator). Gill Clancy was on the money that night.

Also pretty good in Hearns vs Leonard 2 - Tim Ryan, Gill Clancy and Marvin "No Italian accent" Hagler. Hagler was ver bias towards Tommy, and the commetators kept digging him about this. Then when Hearns got nailed in the 5th - Hagler was shouting "Tommy got to fight back" and both simultaneously said "He is fighting back" as Hearns lands a good body shot.

I generally liked Hagler when he came here, I find the commentating on Lewis vs Rahman 1 bearable, Hagler was pretty good that night.

TheRiverCityHippy · Post by **TheRiverCityHippy** » 23 Apr 2004, 14:00

didn`t howard cosell see a fight that disgusted him so much he turned his back on boxing commentary for good?
or is that a simplistic old chesnut.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 23 Apr 2004, 14:11

headhunter wrote:didn`t howard cosell see a fight that disgusted him so much he turned his back on boxing commentary for good?
or is that a simplistic old chesnut.

Holmes-Cobb.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 23 Apr 2004, 16:01

I have do admit I did piss myelf when Ian Darke said "Goodness, Gracious me" well Wladmir suffered his first KD vs Sanders. I always get thoughts of "Granny Koumas" from the Koumas programme saying that.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 24 Apr 2004, 09:21

Barrera-Morales is my favourite fight of all time. I have listened to btoh the HBO version and the Sky version. Ian Darke and even Glen are terrific. They give good insight as usuall but they seem SOOO excited. You really got the impression that it was a night they would always remember. Whereas Merchant and co aren't so animated, instead being too analytical., still providing decent commentary in their own style but no where near as enthusiastic. The fight is far more enjoyable when you watch the sky version.- my favourite commentary.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 24 Apr 2004, 18:32

Darke is very good but how many times does he describe someone as "Happy go lucky"

He's good on football as well.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 24 Apr 2004, 19:22

steve689 wrote:Darke is very good but how many times does he describe someone as "Happy go lucky"

not as many times as Duke McKenzie says 'He's looking busy doing nothing'

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 25 Apr 2004, 07:44

steve689 wrote:Darke is very good but how many times does he describe someone as "Happy go lucky" He's good on football as well.

Not as many times as he says "Shifting through the gears"

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 25 Apr 2004, 09:31

KOJOE90 wrote:
steve689 wrote:Darke is very good but how many times does he describe someone as "Happy go lucky" He's good on football as well.
Not as many times as he says "Shifting through the gears"

not as many times as Richie Woodhall says 'Without a shadow of a doubt'

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 25 Apr 2004, 09:34

adamiw wrote:
KOJOE90 wrote:
steve689 wrote:Darke is very good but how many times does he describe someone as "Happy go lucky" He's good on football as well.
Not as many times as he says "Shifting through the gears"
not as many times as Richie Woodhall says 'Without a shadow of a doubt'