Richie Woodhall - Media work

[chad]

One thing that comes up time and time again about boxing broadcasting in the UK is the poor level of commentary and punditry. Too often it feels like the commentators and pundits are cheerleaders for their respective channel or the channels stable of fighters. Unofficial scorecards are often way, way off and at times it feels like fights aren't being called exactly how the action is happening. Often excuses for a poor performance by the "home" fighter creep in early and gets compounded round after round.

Whilst Richie Woodhall doesn't have the most exciting commentary style in the world I think he's incredibly knowledgeable and knows how to read a fight. His punditry and analysis is often spot on and pretty informative. He's not top notch in any single aspect, but I think he's one of our best all rounders in front of the camera and behind the mic. What I respect about Woodhall is that he hasn't affiliated himself with one particular broadcaster and certainly isn't a cheerleader for any of the promoters. He does work for SKY, Channel 5, B0xnati0n, BT Sports, Eurosport and the BBC. He also doesn't allow himself to be swayed by the lead commentator during a fight. He gives his opinion and sticks too it. He's also shown in the past he's not afraid to be critical to a fighters face, in a post fight interview, if they've had a stinker and try and BS their way through the interview.

What do others thing about Richie?

[DMA1987]

Are we talking about the same Woodhall? There was a time I thought he was going to be pretty good, but lately he has become increasingly biased imo. It might just be me, but he seems just a typical company guy, whichever company it happens to be that night.

[mickey1975]

He holds his feet too much, believe you me.

[Sklar]

It's inevitable that a guy will try not to bite whichever hand is feeding him at a particular moment in time but, of all those being fed, Richie is one of the least fawning.

[rossij8]

My fave pundit

Never been a fan of the brummy accent, but don't seem to notice it with him

[tommo100]

I don`t mind him at all,not as biased as jim watt and not as bad as some people make out when it comes to sitting on the fence

[NazNaci1]

Lots of respect for him as a fighter and as a bloke but his pundetry skills leave lots to be desired.

He is certainly knowledgeable but he is just too biased and it's usually for whoever he is working for.

[whiskey]

He usually does tongue whomever he is pals with in the ring.

Alhough he did get stuck into Degale recently after he thought he was Sugar Ray Robinson for beating a nobody.

[Anzi]

I find Richie quiet good at times, he reads a fight well, however I found him terrible biased in the Olympics, not surprisingly has he has worked with the GB squad.

[Tangerine]

I don't think he is biased at all.He calls it as it is and I think he is prob my favourite co commentator in the uk.He doesn't waffle on,he says his quick piece and goes back to watching the fight.Some of these commentators on tv don't have a clue whats going on half the time looking for a peek at their mates scorecard so as to not look a complete tool.I mean,if you're looking to copy Jim Watt's scorecards you're in trouble basically that's all im saying.

[Anzi]

I don't think he is biased at all.He calls it as it is and I think he is prob my favourite co commentator in the uk.He doesn't waffle on,he says his quick piece and goes back to watching the fight.Some of these commentators on tv don't have a clue whats going on half the time looking for a peek at their mates scorecard so as to not look a complete tool.I mean,if you're looking to copy Jim Watt's scorecards you're in trouble basically that's all im saying.

I like Richie's commentary, he is very informative and understands the game, but if you don't think he was biased towards the GB squad, in the Olympics, especially in his scoring, then you have not watched it.

[Sklar]

I don't think he is biased at all.He calls it as it is and I think he is prob my favourite co commentator in the uk.He doesn't waffle on,he says his quick piece and goes back to watching the fight.Some of these commentators on tv don't have a clue whats going on half the time looking for a peek at their mates scorecard so as to not look a complete tool.I mean,if you're looking to copy Jim Watt's scorecards you're in trouble basically that's all im saying.

I like Richie's commentary, he is very informative and understands the game, but if you don't think he was biased towards the GB squad, in the Olympics, especially in his scoring, then you have not watched it.

To be fair, he wasn't as biased as the Olympic judges.

[Bodyshot3]

RW is actually very ok....he's knows his stuff and although sometimes his delivery lacks a bit of enthusiasm and energy...he is better than most. He's a good foil to Big Al on Channel 5 who tends to get a bit carried away.

[Anzi]

The channel 5 time are the best on british tv, they make it very exciting, not to keen on allegedly, very biased towards the home fighters, Sky are a little better, but the commentary for the olympics was so biased it was spoiling the fights.

[veriton]

whenever he gets asked by Boxing News about a British fighter's chances against a top fighter from abroad he always goes for the Brit! "It's going to be tough for sure but Curtis Woodhouse could beat Mayweather." etc etc always makes me smile

[plymouthskinhead]

I beat his brother Steve when we served in the navy! I always dine out on that one when I see him on the telly when people are watching that don't know the crack. DD But I think he's good at what he does, says it like it is and must not be short of a bob with all the work he has as well. :)

I'd love it if him, Teddy Atlas and Barry McGuigan worked together, they all know their stuff.

[lefty]

I beat his brother Steve when we served in the navy! I always dine out on that one when I see him on the telly when people are watching that don't know the crack. DD But I think he's good at what he does, says it like it is and must not be short of a bob with all the work he has as well. :)

I'd love it if him, Teddy Atlas and Barry McGuigan worked together, they all know their stuff.

[Crease]

Woodhall is biased. But then I think that everyone is biased to one degree or another.

And I think he seriosuly overrates Scott Quigg by the way he talks about him.

[expe]

Woodhall is biased. But then I think that everyone is biased to one degree or another.

And I think he seriosuly overrates Scott Quigg by the way he talks about him.

A case of don't bite the hand that feeds you, I don't blame him for it, if he doesn't follow the party line he doesn't get work, no work, no pay. For things to change the TV channels would have to allow the pundits free rein to say what they truly think and while they want to hype fighters up to high heaven, that isn't going to happen.

[davie]

I agree with the OP, he sounds like one of the most knowledgeable pundits and I seldom find myself disagreeing with him
but as he also notes, he is just a tad dull for a commentary slot. If he were to start getting excited and shouty during a fight it would just sound put on.
I also find he is reluctant to disagree too strongly with the commentary team. I would worry that if you put him in with a Jim Watt, he would allow him to take charge and be too polite to blatantly contradict Jim if he was (as he often is) completely wrong,

[ILikeBeer]

He usually does tongue whomever he is pals with in the ring.

Alhough he did get stuck into Degale recently after he thought he was Sugar Ray Robinson for beating a nobody.

I remember that. James was all; "Ricccchieeee. Come on Ricccchieeee. You knaw I did well."

[plymouthskinhead]

I beat his brother Steve when we served in the navy! I always dine out on that one when I see him on the telly when people are watching that don't know the crack. DD But I think he's good at what he does, says it like it is and must not be short of a bob with all the work he has as well. :)

I'd love it if him, Teddy Atlas and Barry McGuigan worked together, they all know their stuff.

What's wrong with Teddy? I could listen to him all day feasting off his knowledge.

[Crease]

A case of don't bite the hand that feeds you, I don't blame him for it, if he doesn't follow the party line he doesn't get work, no work, no pay. For things to change the TV channels would have to allow the pundits free rein to say what they truly think and while they want to hype fighters up to high heaven, that isn't going to happen.

I understand, but that doesn't mean that a pundit has to keep on incessantly purring over a fighter. There absolutely nothing wrong with saying "he's not quite there yet, but he's a good fighter".

I would say the same about Kid Galahad, Woodhall has repeatedly said that he believes The Kid will get better and step up when he enters the ring against better competition. I tend to disagree, I wouldn't be so confident about that.

I like Galahad's style, it's an unusual blend of slickness, awkwardness and power-punching (or an attempt at it) but he's been troubled on a couple of occasions by lower class fighters... They've posed him too many problems for my taste. But I do think that he will get better.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Galahad can't win a World Title - I'm just saying I wouldn't be as confident about that as Woodhall appears to be.

[roy]

Richie reads a fight well and I generally like him. However, I have to say that I often disagree with his scoring (particularly in WSB).
When he forecast Derry Mathews to stop Tommy Coyle after about 8 rounds had elapsed I thought he was talking rubbish - not many would have made that prediction at the time.

[palooka]

I beat his brother Steve when we served in the navy! I always dine out on that one when I see him on the telly when people are watching that don't know the crack. DD But I think he's good at what he does, says it like it is and must not be short of a bob with all the work he has as well. :)

I'd love it if him, Teddy Atlas and Barry McGuigan worked together, they all know their stuff.

What's wrong with Teddy? I could listen to him all day feasting off his knowledge.

You'd better listen to him or he'll kick your ass :)