Last night's Ringside

[Glyn Leach]

Thought it was excellent, the kind of fast moving, lively show that works for me. McGuigan, Watt and Hatton were great guests, lots of animated discussion. Johnny and Adam were 'natural' ie they didn't overperform - and they just let the guests get on with it, didn't interrupt the flow of the show. Bob Mee's voiceover was top notch, too.
All in all it looked like they were all enjoying it - and so did I as a result. Genuinely could have watched all evening, that good - and nice to be able to say that after criticising the show so often.
What did you think of it? Agree? Disagree?

[leforge]

Thought it was excellent, the kind of fast moving, lively show that works for me. McGuigan, Watt and Hatton were great guests, lots of animated discussion. Johnny and Adam were 'natural' ie they didn't overperform - and they just let the guests get on with it, didn't interrupt the flow of the show. Bob Mee's voiceover was top notch, too.
All in all it looked like they were all enjoying it - and so did I as a result. Genuinely could have watched all evening, that good - and nice to be able to say that after criticising the show so often.
What did you think of it? Agree? Disagree?

Recorded it my only critiscim is the time of the show keeps changing!

[Glyn Leach]

Does it? Got it on series record but thought it was always 6 on Thursdays

[leforge]

Does it? Got it on series record but thought it was always 6 on Thursdays

No it varies and channel its on as well.

[smoothmoves]

I thought it was great! Smith and Nelson are starting to grow on me, and I thought the insight of Ricky's big fight experiences was great. Barry M's passion and knowledge of the game shone through once again. Jim was good too, as always!

The only thing I missed was Ed's news round up.

[Glyn Leach]

Didn't know that leforge, bit silly - reliability is important IMO

[earsjohn]

Cracking show that was helped by the subject matter. It was basically a 40 minute preview of the Haye fight and it was clear that this fight has caught their imagination. Hatton, Bazza and Watt were enthusiastic in their own way and it was interesting to see and hear their chosen tactics and how they differed. I think Watt nailed it when he mentioned that no-one is giving Haye a hope of winning on points but that seems to ignore what may be Hayes best chance of winning. And with the relationship Haye has with Booth, I think it's very conceivable that they could develop a game plan aimed at out-boxing Wlad.

A magazine show like Ringside will live and die on its analysis and special features as 'news' tends to be old hat in the modern age of instant communication. So utilising the vast cast of characters we have in British boxing will always prove entertaining - especially when their enthusiasm is genuine and results in captivating on-screen chemistry.

[gasman]

I hope they do the same type of tactical analysis by roleplaying more often - I really enjoyed it. I thought Jim Watt was a class act - he is a brilliant pundit and he should be a mandatory pundit for the tactical analysis segments. I thought his tactics for Haye were spot on too.

Nelson is best when he is alongside Adam in the studio covering Ringside as well as out making the documentaries.

Bob Mee is different class with his montage pieces. They have used other more inexperienced guys to do some of the montages, but if you listen to Mee's voice over commentary - he is far more informative and has a good screen voice as well. Great episode last night.

[Glyn Leach]

Spot on John and x2 gasman

[DougieC30]

Yip, really enjoyed it. Liked the fact that they didn't just agree with one another reguarding the tactics to use against Wlad. Was. Good seeing Ricky in the ring again. Who's tactics do you think where the best?

[Glyn Leach]

Hard to say, Johnny wasn't a great Wlad lol - he kept leaning forward and he didn't stick his lead leg out far enough. But in order I'd go 1 Watt 2 Ricky 3 Barry

[bfchunk]

Must admit I sighed a bit when from the into it looked just like a promotional show to push the PPV, but show turned out to be excellent and really informative - the tactics part especially.

They should do away with the on site studio for the live fights and base the studio part at the ringside studio. They could use this approach (tactics etc) a bit more for the live fights (but make the broadcast a bit longer so we don't lose any of the presently limited action). This might save Sky a bob or two that they could spend on getting fights in.

[DougieC30]

Hard to say, Johnny wasn't a great Wlad lol - he kept leaning forward and he didn't stick his lead leg out far enough. But in order I'd go 1 Watt 2 Ricky 3 Barry

Am not to sure, I didn't agree with Barrys Blocklthen left hook when Wlad goes to the body. Jim was probs closesed to what's going to happen. I think haye will use the full ring and plan his attacks probly in the last minute of the first few rounds. Ricky was funny, nearly took Johnnys heed off a few times.

Overall enjoyed the show.

[Coco]

Bob Mee should be used more

[gasman]

Hard to say, Johnny wasn't a great Wlad lol - he kept leaning forward and he didn't stick his lead leg out far enough. But in order I'd go 1 Watt 2 Ricky 3 Barry

And that was an Ingle jab, nothing like a Vlad jab - but he still did a good job with the role play. I agree with your order too.

[gasman]

Irish boxer Michael Sweeney was out sparring with Vlad again a couple of weeks ago and he said in an Irish paper that Vlad has been working on a fast start. I assume that is to combat the likelihood of Haye making a fast start. But, Vlad could shock us all and come out fast and throw a spanner in works? There is an assumption that Vlad will just come out do his usual, time will tell....

[Superheavy]

Hard to say, Johnny wasn't a great Wlad lol - he kept leaning forward and he didn't stick his lead leg out far enough. But in order I'd go 1 Watt 2 Ricky 3 Barry

And that was an Ingle jab, nothing like a Vlad jab - but he still did a good job with the role play. I agree with your order too.

Watt was the only one to face up to the fact that Haye will not take the centre of the ring! Barry was saying "but he MUST take the centre of the ring" - maybe so, but he won't! For that reason, I thought Watt's version was the most realistic.

[TheCobra]

I liked last night's ringside, sometimes Barry McGuigan gets over excitable and needs to chill and let the other guys get a word in edgeways. Other than that I really enjoyed the tactical stuff, wasn't exactly rocket science but I did agree with Jim Watt's version the most. Haye can't be blocking the Wlad jab alll the time he has to be mobile and basically use his reactions to just steer well clear and come in and out with raiding tactics.

[Flashing Blade]

The best Ringside so far. Great guests given the time to talk.

I enjoyed the tactical discussion and think this should be incorporated into the live shows. Usually, the intros to fights are a 2 minute package with a staredown from the weigh in and the life story of both fighters boiled down into 30 second clips. They sould copy Teddy Atlas's Fight Plan from Friday Fight Night. Send Johnny Nelson and Spencer Oliver out into the town where the fight is taking place and have them giving their opinion on how the fight is going to be won and lost. I think this gives better insight for casual fans, shows you what to watch for and is just more fun.

[dondada]

It was absolute quality, loved it.

I know the Sky lads read this board, and perhaps they have noticed that I've nicknamed Johnny 'Brokeback'.

Are they playing up to this sub-plot? Getting out of a f**king tent (the symbolism was obvious) to go and watch the tennis together? And Adam's tender comments during the broadcast?

[danfoster]

It was absolute quality, loved it.

I know the Sky lads read this board, and perhaps they have noticed that I've nicknamed Johnny 'Brokeback'.

Are they playing up to this sub-plot? Getting out of a f**king tent (the symbolism was obvious) to go and watch the tennis together? And Adam's tender comments during the broadcast?

You're on thin ice with this one McNeilly ...

[Cas]

Jim Watt was class

[dewipowell]

I think McGuigan is a class act, great for tv and although I know it would never happen, he should be the main man on the screen for Sky. I think his analysis of what would work for Haye is the best out of the 3 but I can see Haye adopting Watt's tactics.

One thing though .. as great as the show was and I know Sky have a PPV event to promote, but they should have made the show more about Macklin and Brook. Seems like all Ringside has been about for the last 5 weeks is Haye-Wlad.

[Deno1986]

When I was watching it last night I was thinking Jim Watt would be better in the studio come fight night and put Barry McGuigan in the co-commentator role. I just don't like Watt as a commentator but thought he was excellent in the studio.

[stujones]

I think McGuigan is a class act, great for tv and although I know it would never happen, he should be the main man on the screen for Sky. I think his analysis of what would work for Haye is the best out of the 3 but I can see Haye adopting Watt's tactics.

One thing though .. as great as the show was and I know Sky have a PPV event to promote, but they should have made the show more about Macklin and Brook. Seems like all Ringside has been about for the last 5 weeks is Haye-Wlad.

Watt and Barry is who I'd like to see..... I cannot see why Barry cannot be promoted to the "main man" (do Sky really have a main man though?) - he was definately the main man when boxing used to do nice ratings for Sky. Certainly was the Andy Gray of boxing. Obviously any strains in the relationship (if there was any, everywhere I have read has suggest it was completely amicable and Sky were understanding) when Barry left for pastures new and back to ITV seem to have been ironed out.