Sky's broadcast of Pacquiao-Cotto?

[El Raincoat]

I thought SKY's broadcast on Saturday was pretty poor on. In the studio i like McCrory, Piper's ok, never been overly bothered on Nelson (Barry McGuigan or someone like Hatton would be better). In Las Vegas Jim Watt did a decent job but thought Adam Smith was terrible as normal (I far prefer Ian Darke & John Rawling). The commentary through out the Chavez Jnr fight was awful. They didn't talk about the fight much, just how poor Chavez is.

I think that Sky talk to the public like they have no idea what there watching.

[forcefraser]

Smith was not that bad at all. I like his genuine passion for the sport.

What I don`t like is that the commentary is more like a discussion, a lecture, rather than commentating on what is actually happening in the fight. They tend to pick a theme and harp on about it. I find Jim Watt a bit of a whiner, somewhat negative.

Good commentary can add real value to a fight, poor commentary detracts from it. I think the yanks have the best to be honest.

It`s probably not an easy job. The classic discussion is whther we need commentary in any sport at all. Those watching usually know what is going on. We can see what is happening in a fight, on a football field or in a game of darts. Do we really need the commentary? Of course not, but we have been conditioned to accept the neccesity for it.

many people enjoy the "live" experience rather than watching it on TV. Of course the atmosphere is totally different, but you also get no commentray. maybe this is a contributing factor as to why people prefer live sport. Watching live sport allows an undiluted and personal experience of the event, with no commentary to influence the perception.

[alexpaterson]

I thought it was quite good coverage, 4 lives fights shown, Smith was OK he does over-exaggerate everything but he does love the sport and try his best. The thing that annoys me they had 30 minutes schedule time left but instead of showing Korobov they ended it quicker

[Deno1986]

Some people are never happy!

People give out about Sky when they don't show the fights and when they do show the biggest fight of the year on non PPV people are still giving out. Just be grateful you got to see the fight! As for the commentary Smith wasn't as bad as he usually is, anyway I would have watched it in chinese if it meant seeing it.

[Deno1986]

I thought it was quite good coverage, 4 lives fights shown, Smith was OK he does over-exaggerate everything but he does love the sport and try his best. The thing that annoys me they had 30 minutes schedule time left but instead of showing Korobov they ended it quicker

agreed..

[El Raincoat]

I think it's hilarious that Haye-Valuev was PPV and so is Khan-Salita whereas Pacquiao-Cotto wasn't.

Haye-Valuev had the British publics attention and did very well. Not sure Khan-Salita will. I didn't and wont pay for either of those cards whereas i would of in a heart beat for Pacquiao-Cotto.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I thought Smith did pretty well - he didn't irritate me at all.

[doctorboxing]

I thought SKY's broadcast on Saturday was pretty poor on. In the studio i like McCrory, Piper's ok, never been overly bothered on Nelson (Barry McGuigan or someone like Hatton would be better). In Las Vegas Jim Watt did a decent job but thought Adam Smith was terrible as normal (I far prefer Ian Darke & John Rawling). The commentary through out the Chavez Jnr fight was awful. They didn't talk about the fight much, just how poor Chavez is.

I think that Sky talk to the public like they have no idea what there watching.

We got to see the top fight of the year on UK TV! I am happy with that.

I thought the coverage was fine and please don't suggest to SKY that they should have McGuigan anywhere near a brodcast, the man is horrendous on ITV!

[Adamj1987]

ive only seen hbo version

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I liked it, I prefer them to the HBO team

[boxerbob]

the hbo coverage of the fight was top class

[whicker]

One issue is that it would be nice to know when the fight actually starts, roughly. Sky had the show down as FINISHING at 5am in the schedules.

Sure, boxing over runs, and I love undercard build up- its all good.

But still, it would be handy to be told that (eg) Main Event will be on no early than 4am.

[DG.]

It was only the other day we were moaning about the lack of Boxing on tv!

I could not care if HitmanHattona1 and the resident tosser/bummeister/lotion man known as Hugh Johnson were commentating - as long as its on tv!

[bobmee]

"One issue is that it would be nice to know when the fight actually starts, roughly"
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Re. HBO shows.
There is always a production meeting for international broadcasters, hosted by HBO, 24 hours before the show, so early hours Saturday, British time. At that all broadcasters will be given the schedules, which depend greatly on what preliminary fights are screened in the live HBO programme and how long they last - for example, I've looked at a couple in my files - Hatton-Mayweather schedule says Ricky Hatton Walkout, Earliest leave locker room 7.55 (so 3.55 a.m.), Latest leave locker room 9.07 (so 5.07). Klitschko-Williams, says Williams Walkout, Earliest leave locker room 7.55, latest 8.50. It can be that vague, and it's entirely in the hands of HBO. There is a preliminary schedule available before the meeting, but it's only at the meeting that it becomes a firm plan that international broadcasters can rely on. It's only if HBO plan no preliminnary programme and go straight into the main event that you know well in advance what's going to happen in terms of time.
I hope that's of some help.

[whicker]

"One issue is that it would be nice to know when the fight actually starts, roughly"
*****************************
Re. HBO shows.
There is always a production meeting for international broadcasters, hosted by HBO, 24 hours before the show, so early hours Saturday, British time. At that all broadcasters will be given the schedules, which depend greatly on what preliminary fights are screened in the live HBO programme and how long they last - for example, I've looked at a couple in my files - Hatton-Mayweather schedule says Ricky Hatton Walkout, Earliest leave locker room 7.55 (so 3.55 a.m.), Latest leave locker room 9.07 (so 5.07). Klitschko-Williams, says Williams Walkout, Earliest leave locker room 7.55, latest 8.50. It can be that vague, and it's entirely in the hands of HBO. There is a preliminary schedule available before the meeting, but it's only at the meeting that it becomes a firm plan that international broadcasters can rely on. It's only if HBO plan no preliminnary programme and go straight into the main event that you know well in advance what's going to happen in terms of time.
I hope that's of some help.

Yeah- thanks.

for me, it's not a big issue- I am happy to brun the midnight oil and sit through the undercard.

But i know with my friends if it says "Coverage from 2 am" they will (perhaps naive-ly) think that the main event will be on soon after.

for sure, I know WHY Sky do this- it does sell a show better to say "2 am" rather than "4-5am!!"

And Indeed, when these bouts are not PPV I'm well pleased all round.

Even so, it is a little frustrating to be kept waiting without clear guidance. On saturday, I started watching just after 3, halfway through the Santos fight. From what I remember, there wasn't any clue given as to what was coming next, so we expected Pacman. Instead there was this 10 rounder...

No big issue, but it would be handy if SKY had some kind of running order (perhaps they don't know themseleves!)

[bobmee]

Yes, by the time the live programme starts, they know exactly what to expect and how long the gaps should be between fights. Given that, it is live and dumb things happen to mean minor delays. And, very occasionally, as with Hamed against Barrera, Spinks against Tyson, and the one where Holyfield forgot his boots, the delays are longer and therefore a part of the story.

[El Raincoat]

I'm happy we got to see it. But just feel that they could get a better in studio panel. Also like Darke & Rawling commentating on the fight.