Too bad there's no womens Netball on DAZN. But hey, there's womens champions leagueCaptainSpacerod wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 08:27 At a time when DAZN have just taken a virtual monopoly on UK televised boxing the hiring of Smith as lead commentator is a kick in the teeth for real boxing fans who now face the prospect of this clown ruining fights with his non stop over the top nonsense.
The long and short of it is that he’s an annoying pudendum. Why’s he been hired then ? Because his faux excitement and growling and shouting is essentially an aggressive sales pitch aimed at convincing casuals that what they’re watching is the most exciting thing ever … “and there’s more to come next week LIVE ON DAZN”
Adam Smith
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
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- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Adam Smith
Re: Adam Smith
It feels really really odd - to see Smith on Dazn.
I remember when Hearn "game changed" - and Adam was on the social media channels through gritted teeth saying "I wish dazn and Eddie all the best, competition is good for the game - we are friendly rivals" etc.
Now, Smith is on the dark side. Sounds like it wasn't really his choice in terms of Sky - but seeing him on Dazn. Even when he returned from his terrible illness I never thought he would go to Dazn. He did stints for BBC Radio and Talksport, seemed like he would be anywhere BUT Dazn.
I really don't mind him. Okay, he is not Gutteridge, Carpenter or Watt - but he is on a par with Costello on TV IMO. Costello and Rawling (more so Costello) - are just better on Radio than they are on TV for some reason.
Smith is not perfect, but I am struggling to think of a commentator from the UK much better to be honest.
I remember when Hearn "game changed" - and Adam was on the social media channels through gritted teeth saying "I wish dazn and Eddie all the best, competition is good for the game - we are friendly rivals" etc.
Now, Smith is on the dark side. Sounds like it wasn't really his choice in terms of Sky - but seeing him on Dazn. Even when he returned from his terrible illness I never thought he would go to Dazn. He did stints for BBC Radio and Talksport, seemed like he would be anywhere BUT Dazn.
I really don't mind him. Okay, he is not Gutteridge, Carpenter or Watt - but he is on a par with Costello on TV IMO. Costello and Rawling (more so Costello) - are just better on Radio than they are on TV for some reason.
Smith is not perfect, but I am struggling to think of a commentator from the UK much better to be honest.
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
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Re: Adam Smith
Don't kid yourselves on if Carpenter, Gutteridge, Darke etc were on these days people would moan about them, I remember Costello was best thing since sliced bread but now he's shite because radio comms is so different from tv apparently, you'll agree and disagree with some people it's what happens unless your bias
Re: Adam Smith
Smith winds up purists and boxing nerds but for the casuals, who are the most important people to keep happy, he is a ggggggreat commentator who helps make an event a big deal. He's the best voice man in boxing for now.
Re: Adam Smith
Shocked Dazn ditched Costello - they made such a fuss about signing him.handsofstone wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 09:23 Don't kid yourselves on if Carpenter, Gutteridge, Darke etc were on these days people would moan about them, I remember Costello was best thing since sliced bread but now he's shite because radio comms is so different from tv apparently, you'll agree and disagree with some people it's what happens unless your bias
To be honest, not sure why there are so many different comms feed - now its all on one platform. Can't they just have the US commentators - they are more universally liked.
Still miss Jim Watt as the co commentator though.
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
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- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Adam Smith
I heard many say he was best suited for radiostujones wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 10:00Shocked Dazn ditched Costello - they made such a fuss about signing him.handsofstone wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 09:23 Don't kid yourselves on if Carpenter, Gutteridge, Darke etc were on these days people would moan about them, I remember Costello was best thing since sliced bread but now he's shite because radio comms is so different from tv apparently, you'll agree and disagree with some people it's what happens unless your bias
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maverick23
- Cruiserweight
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- Joined: 26 Feb 2011, 18:20
Re: Adam Smith
One of my friends, who I’ve been to lots of shows with, but is more of a casual said on Saturday ‘Smith has the perfect voice to be a commentator’.
I get he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but perhaps he’s suited to get casuals involved in fights.
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CaptainSpacerod
- Welterweight
- Posts: 3302
- Joined: 15 Dec 2015, 03:21
Re: Adam Smith
Give Big Ron the gig, the guy’s an absolute marvel
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
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Re: Adam Smith
Yasssss
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margaret thatcher
- Featherweight
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Re: Adam Smith
While the lexical signifier ‘Bomber’ emblazoned upon the pugilist’s raiment may, to the uninitiated or excessively literal-minded, evoke imagery of catastrophic self-detonation in a geopolitical context, it is, in actuality, a referential nod—saturated with metaphorical bravado—to the kinetic ferocity and concussive potency of the athlete’s own striking capability, rather than any association with acts of martyrdom or explosive ordinance.
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JamesPhilips
- Super Bantamweight
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Re: Adam Smith
Man I would subscribe to DAZN if they replaced Smith but Big Ron
Re: Adam Smith
margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 11:56 While the lexical signifier ‘Bomber’ emblazoned upon the pugilist’s raiment may, to the uninitiated or excessively literal-minded, evoke imagery of catastrophic self-detonation in a geopolitical context, it is, in actuality, a referential nod—saturated with metaphorical bravado—to the kinetic ferocity and concussive potency of the athlete’s own striking capability, rather than any association with acts of martyrdom or explosive ordinance.
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maverick23
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 10375
- Joined: 26 Feb 2011, 18:20
Re: Adam Smith
It’s weird isn’t it. I can’t stand Big Ron as a commentator. He talks far too much and uses 30 words when he could use 3.
He’s the only commentator who, to me at least, makes me want to mute it.
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maverick23
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 10375
- Joined: 26 Feb 2011, 18:20
Re: Adam Smith
I think he would have gone to DAZN sooner but they still had Costello contracted until a month ago.stujones wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 09:18 It feels really really odd - to see Smith on Dazn.
I remember when Hearn "game changed" - and Adam was on the social media channels through gritted teeth saying "I wish dazn and Eddie all the best, competition is good for the game - we are friendly rivals" etc.
Now, Smith is on the dark side. Sounds like it wasn't really his choice in terms of Sky - but seeing him on Dazn. Even when he returned from his terrible illness I never thought he would go to Dazn. He did stints for BBC Radio and Talksport, seemed like he would be anywhere BUT Dazn.
I really don't mind him. Okay, he is not Gutteridge, Carpenter or Watt - but he is on a par with Costello on TV IMO. Costello and Rawling (more so Costello) - are just better on Radio than they are on TV for some reason.
Smith is not perfect, but I am struggling to think of a commentator from the UK much better to be honest.
I liked Costello. Him and Andy Lee were an excellent combo.
As I’ve said before I don’t dislike Adam Smith on comms and I thought he did pretty well on Saturday. He has a bit more name value than Costello and will actually help more in pushing shows/DAZN which would probably be a factor for DAZN.
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PredatorHayds
- Welterweight
- Posts: 4886
- Joined: 08 Jul 2015, 08:23
Re: Adam Smith
I’m defo not leading the PC brigade but I must admit Poncher on the US foreign feed is a breathe of fresh air and has been for years. She’s one of the few who knows when to shut up.
I can’t wait for Smith to Purr after an Ad-Break about how he loves LIV Golf. Koepka and DeChambeau next to each other. There’s the respect and only on DAZN.
I can’t wait for Smith to Purr after an Ad-Break about how he loves LIV Golf. Koepka and DeChambeau next to each other. There’s the respect and only on DAZN.
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
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- Joined: 11 Jan 2011, 17:28
Re: Adam Smith
margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 11:56 While the lexical signifier ‘Bomber’ emblazoned upon the pugilist’s raiment may, to the uninitiated or excessively literal-minded, evoke imagery of catastrophic self-detonation in a geopolitical context, it is, in actuality, a referential nod—saturated with metaphorical bravado—to the kinetic ferocity and concussive potency of the athlete’s own striking capability, rather than any association with acts of martyrdom or explosive ordinance.
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 22983
- Joined: 11 Jan 2011, 17:28
Re: Adam Smith
I rate PoncherPredatorHayds wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 15:20 I’m defo not leading the PC brigade but I must admit Poncher on the US foreign feed is a breathe of fresh air and has been for years. She’s one of the few who knows when to shut up.
I can’t wait for Smith to Purr after an Ad-Break about how he loves LIV Golf. Koepka and DeChambeau next to each other. There’s the respect and only on DAZN.
Re: Adam Smith
It's quite simple,really. Mike has integrity and says what he sees. That's the BBC Sport way. SKY,DAZN you have to play the game and build up the fighters regardless of their talentRuthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 10:07I heard many say he was best suited for radiostujones wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 10:00Shocked Dazn ditched Costello - they made such a fuss about signing him.handsofstone wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 09:23 Don't kid yourselves on if Carpenter, Gutteridge, Darke etc were on these days people would moan about them, I remember Costello was best thing since sliced bread but now he's shite because radio comms is so different from tv apparently, you'll agree and disagree with some people it's what happens unless your bias
Re: Adam Smith
Me too. He can, at least read the fight pretty well, as it unfolds. A bit verbose and he does say things like 'check hook', which does irritate me. Actually, any commentator saying 'check hook' annoys me. Its a 'kin 'hook', be it left or right.JamesPhilips wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 11:57Man I would subscribe to DAZN if they replaced Smith but Big Ron
Other than that, he is sound.
Re: Adam Smith
Shows what a low bar it is for big Ron to be much better than smith.
What about McCrory?
I think Paul Smith is great, really knowledgeable, probably too knowledgeable and tells the truth.
I miss Ian Drake.
Woodhall is always good
Macklin is ok, but average.
Shane McGuigan really knows his stuff, Duke McKenzie too
Also what about Ed Robinson? Bob Mee is great too, the talent is out there
What about McCrory?
I think Paul Smith is great, really knowledgeable, probably too knowledgeable and tells the truth.
I miss Ian Drake.
Woodhall is always good
Macklin is ok, but average.
Shane McGuigan really knows his stuff, Duke McKenzie too
Also what about Ed Robinson? Bob Mee is great too, the talent is out there
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CaptainSpacerod
- Welterweight
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- Joined: 15 Dec 2015, 03:21
Re: Adam Smith
I tried once syncing the tv coverage to Ron’s radio commentary and admittedly I did suffer somewhat from sensory overloadmaverick23 wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 14:52It’s weird isn’t it. I can’t stand Big Ron as a commentator. He talks far too much and uses 30 words when he could use 3.
He’s the only commentator who, to me at least, makes me want to mute it.
That said I don’t doubt that Ron could tailor his commentary to a TV role as he does with his work at Wimbledon. He’s at least as knowledgeable as Smith and more articulate in a high brow way.
But I know this is a moot discussion really because Ron’s style and delivery isn’t accessible to the man on the street casual boxing fan and it would alienate a greater proportion of viewers than Smith’s style does.
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margaret thatcher
- Featherweight
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Re: Adam Smith
ron is a marvel, his ability to effortlessly use 30 words, half of which i didnt know existed, when 3 would be sufficient is amazing
when ron is on, the rest of the world disappears as i become entirely engulfed in his endless utterance of emphatic oaths
anyone ever read hp lovecraft? i imagine ron read plenty
here is lovecraft describing some walking:
when ron is on, the rest of the world disappears as i become entirely engulfed in his endless utterance of emphatic oaths
anyone ever read hp lovecraft? i imagine ron read plenty
here is lovecraft describing some walking:
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johninmanchester
- Bantamweight
- Posts: 101
- Joined: 26 Mar 2022, 17:08
Re: Adam Smith
This isn't some unnecessarily verbose description of walking. The author is trying to get across that the as-yet-unseen beast moves in a manner unlike any he's heard before and has an extremely unusual movement pattern.margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 19:35 ron is a marvel, his ability to effortlessly use 30 words, half of which i didnt know existed, when 3 would be sufficient is amazing
when ron is on, the rest of the world disappears as i become entirely engulfed in his endless utterance of emphatic oaths
anyone ever read hp lovecraft? i imagine ron read plenty
here is lovecraft describing some walking:
Galaxy-Brain critics like "hurrrr just write 'walked quickly' bro"
How the fornicate are we even discussing HP Lovecraft on a boxing forum?
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TheLeprechaun
- Middleweight
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Re: Adam Smith
maverick23 wrote: ↑29 Apr 2025, 14:52It’s weird isn’t it. I can’t stand Big Ron as a commentator. He talks far too much and uses 30 words when he could use 3.
He’s the only commentator who, to me at least, makes me want to mute it.
The clock face stuff is beyond absurd. Nobody has a clue what he's going on about.