Adam Smith

[Deserter]

I've been vocal here in the past about not rating him remotely as a commentator and how I also, based on knowing the crowd he ran with an university, had a high degree of scepticism about how genuine his passion was for boxing (at the time I believed it was a first rung on the ladder for him to get into TV and he'd move on pretty swiftly).
So, my view is that if you're going to say these things on the forum, it's equally important to be honest if your view has changed. I'll never been a fan of his style on the mic, but I read his article in this week's BN and his love for the sport and the scene really shone through in a piece that I for one really enjoyed reading.
Everyone's carrying a bit of extra scar tissue as the years go by and the feature possibly took on an extra poignancy given what he's been through over the past year or two. I genuinely hope he's in a better place now and is able to secure a long-term role in the sport, whatever form that takes.
Kudos to BN for giving him the platform as well.

[SeanBrennan]

I've been vocal here in the past about not rating him remotely as a commentator and how I also, based on knowing the crowd he ran with an university, had a high degree of scepticism about how genuine his passion was for boxing (at the time I believed it was a first rung on the ladder for him to get into TV and he'd move on pretty swiftly).
So, my view is that if you're going to say these things on the forum, it's equally important to be honest if your view has changed. I'll never been a fan of his style on the mic, but I read his article in this week's BN and his love for the sport and the scene really shone through in a piece that I for one really enjoyed reading.
Everyone's carrying a bit of extra scar tissue as the years go by and the feature possibly took on an extra poignancy given what he's been through over the past year or two. I genuinely hope he's in a better place now and is able to secure a long-term role in the sport, whatever form that takes.
Kudos to BN for giving him the platform as well.

excellent post this, I really enjoyed the article too and his love for the sport shone through didn't it.

[Counter-puncher]

THERE'S THE RESPECT

[Deserter]

THERE'S THE RESPECT

[Counter-puncher]

Sorry couldn't resist

[Deserter]

Sorry couldn't resist

Don’t worry mate, I set myself up for that one and it genuinely made me chuckle as soon as I saw it!

[dookus]

I don't doubt his deep and sincere love for the sport, but he will always be for me a uniquely terrible commentator

[THEBUTCH]

Not wishing him any ill-will away from boxing, but professional boxing ultimately suffered at the hands of Smith's involvement in the sport.

He accelerated the circus, trampled over well established traditions and IMO caused boxing a lot of harm.

He should have never been more than a so-so commentator. That's the best thing I can say about him unfortunately.

[Boxerbeetle]

Yeah seems a very nice & decent guy with an obvious love of boxing and respect for the fighters, and also did a reasonable job as head of boxing for Sky (maybe didn't always seem like it at the time, but just loom how awful it's been since he left). Certainly not a good commentator by any means so he ended up getting more flack than most, but can't really blame him for giving it a go, clearly a passion project for him.

[handsofstone]

THERE'S THE RESPECT

[handsofstone]

I read Adam's book Beautiful Brutality on holiday years ago, he's a proper boxing man, always had a soft spot for him

[Controversial]

I could never really see why he got so much hate, seems like a nice enough fella. Like anyone working for a big media organisation like Sky he will have to toe the line.

[maverick23]

Not wishing him any ill-will away from boxing, but professional boxing ultimately suffered at the hands of Smith's involvement in the sport.

He accelerated the circus, trampled over well established traditions and IMO caused boxing a lot of harm.

He should have never been more than a so-so commentator. That's the best thing I can say about him unfortunately.

What do you mean by the following mate… ‘trampled over well established traditions and IMO caused boxing a lot of harm.’? Have you got any examples?

[garethhop]

I think it was wrong for him as Head of Boxing to be the commentating lead. Took away a lot of objectivity.

As a person and boxing fan/writer I've got loads of respect for him and hope he is doing well.

[ALI]

Unlike many on here, i've never had a problem with him. His commentating and interviews were ok in my book. I've never been one to overly pay attention to an interviewer/commentator unless i find them annoying, so i guess he never annoyed me.

[cormack]

Unlike many on here, i've never had a problem with him. His commentating and interviews were ok in my book. I've never been one to overly pay attention to an interviewer/commentator unless i find them annoying, so i guess he never annoyed me.

ditto

whilst sarni really gets up my nose and should be horsewhipped

[SeanBrennan]

I've always liked him as his Sky commentary brings back great memories if being a kid watching boxing. Ditto Jim Watt's voice.

[Twinkle Toes]

I've been vocal here in the past about not rating him remotely as a commentator and how I also, based on knowing the crowd he ran with an university, had a high degree of scepticism about how genuine his passion was for boxing (at the time I believed it was a first rung on the ladder for him to get into TV and he'd move on pretty swiftly).
So, my view is that if you're going to say these things on the forum, it's equally important to be honest if your view has changed. I'll never been a fan of his style on the mic, but I read his article in this week's BN and his love for the sport and the scene really shone through in a piece that I for one really enjoyed reading.
Everyone's carrying a bit of extra scar tissue as the years go by and the feature possibly took on an extra poignancy given what he's been through over the past year or two. I genuinely hope he's in a better place now and is able to secure a long-term role in the sport, whatever form that takes.
Kudos to BN for giving him the platform as well.

What crowd was that?

[TheLeprechaun]

I don't doubt his deep and sincere love for the sport, but he will always be for me a uniquely terrible commentator

Agreed. He ruined fights with his annoying commentary again and again and I lost count of the times I had to mute it and miss out on the atmosphere. For me, I will always hate the pr*ck for that. He kept doing a job he was completely sh*t at and didn't seem to give two f*cks that he was ruining fights. He seemed drunk on his power as head of boxing and loved the commentary job and being a big shot. I have zero respect for him whatsoever. Yes he likes boxing and is a nice guy, this entire forum is full of chaps like that and we didn't get flown around the world on a hefty salary. Ruining boxing fights with his awful commentary. I'll never like the chap or give him any credit at all, sorry.

[Controversial]

I don't doubt his deep and sincere love for the sport, but he will always be for me a uniquely terrible commentator

For me, I will always hate the pr*ck for that. He kept doing a job he was completely sh*t at and didn't seem to give two f*cks that he was ruining fights. He seemed drunk on his power as head of boxing and loved the commentary job and being a big shot. I have zero respect for him whatsoever. we didn't get flown around the world on a hefty salary.

Bloody hell that's a big harsh isn't it lol. He got the job so going around the world is a perk of that, you can't begrudge him that. I can't imagine it's easy commentating live, you have to make it mildly entertaining and not be umming and aarghing, repeating yourself etc.. He's a good talker but no one will be liked by 100% of the viewers no matter how great they are, I wouldn't fancy trying it and sure I'd say something stupid at one point and get forever slated for it

[THEBUTCH]

maverick23, to be honest I'm going to struggle to muster a clear reply to back up my statements because it was such a long time ago that I subscribed to Skysports, but apart from Sky's low quality, poor value boxing output Smith was in his pomp at that time and I'd become very jaded by his involvement.

I suppose where Smith clearly liked to turn things into a circus and also embracing women's boxing to the extent that he did....that is flouting tradition. I'm sure if I was to live through those years again I'd be able to detail things a lot better...but I couldn't bear the thought of reliving that oderous little cretin's antics TBH. As I say, this relates to him & boxing...no idea what he's like away from boxing and have no interest either.

Sometimes you will notice that punters moan about things, but keep coming back for more....not me. I ended up absolutely hating his presence & influence in boxing and cancelled my subscription.

Anyone who employs Johnny Nelson for presenting & punditry needs their head examining !

He took things in a different direction probably to attract new fans, so again, moving away from what traditional boxing fans might expect.

For someone who is known for wheeling out the tired, worn out phrase "and there's the respect" him & Nelson were, IMO, just untalented shit stirring buffoons

[Flump]

Good to see him staying involved, he's definitely a fan, seems like a nice chap and was seemingly good as a Head of department. But as a commentator, awful. Couldn't seemingly read a fight. You get sports generalists like Darren Fletcher and Dave Farrer who you instantly feel that they know what they are watching, Adam just never seemed to 'get it'

[Fray Bentos]

Back in the nineties, he was commentating on Sky on a mate of mines fight - 6 rounds, mate had to come in under 140 whereas his opponent came in at around 154 plus on the day, same old gameplaying crap, he entered the ring against what Nobby Nobbs would call a 'flying machine' and would proceed to get cuffed around for six rounds without anything exciting happening with the hometown boy getting the nod. Typical journeyman tale. Well, that night, Adam Smith was commentating the fight and he was very dismissive of my pal and in the last round he goes 'xyz is going to take his purse back to his hometown of abc and think himself lucky after this abysmal performance etc' and at the time I thought who the hell is this posh wanker saying all this crap about my mate, who was an honest pro who came into the ring in shape and ready to fight only to fight in 'mess abouts' (where the winner is already decided - usually against stablemates) or like here where he was up against it with everything - Smith has never laced a pair of gloves in his life - who the hell is he? I thought.

Then around about five years later, I read a book about Naseem Hamed where Smith was in a limo with Hamed, Warren and one or two others in Las Vegas - I forget now but it was about Hamed being a prick and reducing Smith to tears - and then I felt sorry for him, that Smith had to suffer such indignities around such people to earn a living, I am sure there would be many other ways for Smith to earn a good living but he stuck at it - would you want to deal with the wankers in boxing with the likes of Hamed reducing you to tears? I wouldn't - but he did - he stuck at it. It was probably reading that story where my thoughts changed about him that he might love the sport - I don't know if he respects honest journeymen and pros - probably not - a lot of people posting on here don't! He isn't on his own but I am sure he loves boxing.

30 years later, I am happy and glad that he has won his latest battles, in life we all win and lose battles - Smith, my mate (who has a great life post-retirement and has done a lot of things) me, you - good luck to him! If people are around long enough and we get to see a more broader picture, we can easily change our opinions about them.

[stujones]

With Adam Smith - it seems to be a case of "you don't know what you've got till its gone". He's had his fair share of criticisms, but the alternatives aren't great and then you realise he wasn't so bad.

A bit like Jim Watt, although I could never understand the criticism of Jim - he was far an away the best co commentator ever - the true GOAT.

[nobleart1978]

Annoying bloke. He genuinely gives me the creeps, especially when he stares directly into the camera. Weird guy.