Exclusive - one for all you fans of Adam Smith...

[reggaereggae]

I think there is a lot of dislike towards Smith because he's posh. I actually find his delivery and enthusiasm of a good standard. Not perfect, but who is?

[Deserter]

He didn't inhale.

Definitely not that kind of crowd ;;-) It was more a 'If you didn't go to Eton/Harrow/Rugby/Repton/Charterhouse we won't lower ourselves to speak to you' crowd!
Like I said, it was a long time ago and people change...

From my experience people don't change much; but maybe Adam Smith is an exception to the rule.

I think once you get to a certain age there's a degree of truth in that, but I know that I've changed a lot since uni, for example - if anything I was guilty of being an inverse snob and definitely had a chip on my shoulder with regards to 'public school types' and it took me a while to shake it and realise it was just as wrong an attitude as those 'snobs' I encountered.
He was also very much a follower in that pack rather than a leader, and we all know how peer pressure can be an incredibly powerful force at that age.

[princess]

Er no, thanks...I think you meant Jane, not me. Least I f**king hope so

Ha hope so too x

no it was for ian but i can spread the love princess :P

i thought adam smith was a cock putting nelson on the spot tonight

i thoi

[stujones]

I think Smith is an excellent presenter with the Ringside show and the occasional card where he isn't commentating and to be fair to him it's not just him who irritates me while commentating, it's all of them, they're just constantly wittering over the action going on about "what if" "who's next?" the constant hyperbole about so-and-so coming from a poor background or working on the bins, dads carpet shop etc. leave all of that for the pre/post fight, just commentate on what is happening in the ring.

I agree, although I have to say I prefer a reference to the fighters background than my pet hate of Rawling which is to focus on one moment so long.

Not a direct quote but a typical example

Oh good shot by Froch, oh this Pascal is really made of rock to take such as shot, he must simply be the hardest chinned fighter who as ever fought Carl. Carl has true world class power and they are simply bouncing of the chin of the French-Canadian.

In that time Pascal has probably replied with nice shots that go unnoticed.

Aye, if he's commentating for radio, maybe.

I've noticed him do this an awful lot on TV and I think it has an influence on Duke's sometimes funny score cards. Cause in such rounds Duke would score for the fighter being discussed. I thought it was especially the case in the Froch vs Dirrell fight - although Ringside perception of that one was quite different to TV perception. Rawling would often talk about a good spell Froch had the round before "now, he needs to build up on that momentum - I don't think Dirrell likes it AT ALL when Froch is up close" - in the meantime, in the present round, Dirrell is peppering Froch with light, but scoring, jabs without reply.

The art of silence is missing in most of the current bunch of commentators.

[Glyn Leach]

We've got a very full and frank interview with Adam Smith in the next BM, must admit that I didn't realise QUITE what a toff he was until I saw it. Interesting stuff, very ambitious man with a vastly different background to most boxing people, a revealing read.

I like the fella personally. Yes, he does come across as a bit of a luvvy and his theatrical style reflects his past, but he definitely knows his boxing and he's the best boxing anchorman on British TV in my opinion — Mr Unemployable Bunce aside. I really can't handle Dave Darts and Rosenthal lost my vote when he called Tessa Sanderson a 'spearchucker' — showed his age, times have moved on since Jim Davidson, Jim.

[black panther]

I think it's great news personally. He's definitely more of a "boxing fan" than most other tv executives who have been put in charge of boxing in the past. Take Ross Greenburg (HBO Sports exec) who has turned down many a good fight and seems to know eff all about upcoming talent and prefers to recycle old "name" fighters.

[leforge]

We've got a very full and frank interview with Adam Smith in the next BM, must admit that I didn't realise QUITE what a toff he was until I saw it. Interesting stuff, very ambitious man with a vastly different background to most boxing people, a revealing read.

I like the fella personally. Yes, he does come across as a bit of a luvvy and his theatrical style reflects his past, but he definitely knows his boxing and he's the best boxing anchorman on British TV in my opinion — Mr Unemployable Bunce aside. I really can't handle Dave Darts and Rosenthal lost my vote when he called Tessa Sanderson a 'spearchucker' — showed his age, times have moved on since Jim Davidson, Jim.

Dave Darts is useless a darts too.

[chinny]

The art of silence is missing in most of the current bunch of commentators.

Yup. When I watch old fights with Harry or Reg commentating it just relaxes me. Like being in the company of an old friend where you are comfortable enough to just be quiet now and again and enjoy the moment

Seem to be getting paid by the word some of them these days. If I sound like an old fogey - I am 'only' early 30's..

[Glyn Leach]

The art of silence is missing in most of the current bunch of commentators.

Yup. When I watch old fights with Harry or Reg commentating it just relaxes me. Like being in the company of an old friend where you are comfortable enough to just be quiet now and again and enjoy the moment

Seem to be getting paid by the word some of them these days. If I sound like an old fogey - I am 'only' early 30's..

I think that Smith has been sponsored by the inventors of the words "precocious" and "jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab".

[stujones]

I don't mind Smith's OTT theatrics though, they can sometimes sound over board (I don't know why, I don't particularly like them for domestic fights even if they are fights of the year thrillers)... I think it works a treat for the big events that live up to the hype - e.g. Castillo vs Corrales 1 - fantastic stuff.

I think he sponsored by the term "Mexican Mechismo" and "Osssssssssscar De La Hoya" though. I think we should invent terms for boxers based in the UK like "Mexican Mechismo" - Oh look at Jason Cook using that "Welsh Will". Look at Ricky Hatton using that "English Enegry".

[Glyn Leach]

I don't mind Smith's OTT theatrics though, they can sometimes sound over board (I don't know why, I don't particularly like them for domestic fights even if they are fights of the year thrillers)... I think it works a treat for the big events that live up to the hype - e.g. Castillo vs Corrales 1 - fantastic stuff.

I think he sponsored by the term "Mexican Mechismo" and "Osssssssssscar De La Hoya" though. I think we should invent terms for boxers based in the UK like "Mexican Mechismo" - Oh look at Jason Cook using that "Welsh Will". Look at Ricky Hatton using that "English Enegry".

Tssssssssssyew!

[charlieb]

Exclusive - one for all you fans of Adam Smith...

He has fans?

[reggaereggae]

I was always extremely cynical about Smith based on experiences at university (he was the year below me) and the crowd he 'ran with'. But I have to say that based on recent years and on the evidence of others who've encountered him, he's clearly a genuine fan of the sport and by all accounts a nice guy - a lesson to me that it's all too easy to forget that we all change/mature through the years and don't stand still.
So, this announcement is the perfect excuse for me to grow up a bit as well and to congratulate him and wish him all the best for the future

He didn't inhale.

Definitely not that kind of crowd ;;-) It was more a 'If you didn't go to Eton/Harrow/Rugby/Repton/Charterhouse we won't lower ourselves to speak to you' crowd!
Like I said, it was a long time ago and people change...

There is a lot of hypocrisy about class. I mean, do you think the toffs are likely to be welcomed with open arms by the working class guys at uni?

People tend generally to stick with their own and thiose they know. It takes maturity, experience and con fidence to step out of your comfort zone.

Adam talks top boxers all the time, I'm sure he's not snobby if, ever, he was!

[Deserter]

He didn't inhale.

Definitely not that kind of crowd ;;-) It was more a 'If you didn't go to Eton/Harrow/Rugby/Repton/Charterhouse we won't lower ourselves to speak to you' crowd!
Like I said, it was a long time ago and people change...

There is a lot of hypocrisy about class. I mean, do you think the toffs are likely to be welcomed with open arms by the working class guys at uni?
People tend generally to stick with their own and thiose they know. It takes maturity, experience and con fidence to step out of your comfort zone.
Adam talks top boxers all the time, I'm sure he's not snobby if, ever, he was!

Firstly, you clearly haven't taken the time to read my posts. Secondly, I was there, you weren't. You're speculating, I'm not. End of.

[oliverfennell]

I think Smith is an excellent presenter with the Ringside show and the occasional card where he isn't commentating and to be fair to him it's not just him who irritates me while commentating, it's all of them, they're just constantly wittering over the action going on about "what if" "who's next?" the constant hyperbole about so-and-so coming from a poor background or working on the bins, dads carpet shop etc. leave all of that for the pre/post fight, just commentate on what is happening in the ring.

But we've all got eyes, haven't we? We don't need to have a commentator tell us "Mayweather lands a jab" when Mayweather lands a jab. Obviously play-by-play is part of it, but a bit of background info, wider repercussions, looking ahead, reading between the lines, atmosphere, complexion, and even opinion, etc, is all valid and I'd even say welcome. As Ian said, it's not the radio.

[banjo]

I think Smith is an excellent presenter with the Ringside show and the occasional card where he isn't commentating and to be fair to him it's not just him who irritates me while commentating, it's all of them, they're just constantly wittering over the action going on about "what if" "who's next?" the constant hyperbole about so-and-so coming from a poor background or working on the bins, dads carpet shop etc. leave all of that for the pre/post fight, just commentate on what is happening in the ring.

But we've all got eyes, haven't we? We don't need to have a commentator tell us "Mayweather lands a jab" when Mayweather lands a jab. Obviously play-by-play is part of it, but a bit of background info, wider repercussions, looking ahead, reading between the lines, atmosphere, complexion, and even opinion, etc, is all valid and I'd even say welcome. As Ian said, it's not the radio.

I mute the TV, can't be doing with talking over the action.