BoxRec

I've always liked Ian Darke, Jim Watt is OK (when he's not stuck in a continuous loop), Barry Jones is good too. I like Malignaggi but I don't really see why so many people rate him as a level above.

I personally really don't enjoy Rawling's or Halling's commentary: too shouty, too salesy, don't seem to trust the viewer to read anything for themselves.

I used to really like Bunce's BBC London Radio Show; can't say I love him as an anchor on BN, but he does a good job. I'd personally prefer Rosenthal in that role with Bunce as an analyst.

I love watching the 80s fights with the US commentary (Tim Ryan, Gil Clancy, young Al Bernstein, etc).

Lampley is very underrated

Hes absolute top notch in terms of his voice and how he can create excitement. He is extremely knowledgeable and a genuine fan of the game. He really brings that big fight feel. He really ADDS to the experience of watching the fight which very few can do. Can you imagine him commentating on Joshua vs Whyte.

Ian Darke is another legend of commentary, along the same lines of Lampley. Never heard anyone complain about a Darke commentary. Darke always seemed to ask the questions I was thinking and bring up some things that made you think as well. I also thought he was quite humorous at times, in a kind of classy way.

Really miss Darke. I always try to catch a HBO version of a fight if I can.

I like Mallinaggi seems to know his onions and I think Froch is good too.

Wasn't Maccarinelli alright or did I just imagine that?

I vaguely remember Roy Jones being quite insightful on US broadcasts. I watched the US commentary version of Froch Groves 2 and Roy is spot on, calling the fight for Groves early and then picking up on Froch's gameplan to go the body. Brilliant. Watch it back with Watt squawking over it it's embarrassing the comparison.

To be honest with you I watch fights with the sound up but try to ignore a lot of the commentating. There is often a clear bias or I just plain don't agree with it.

I always enjoy Jim Rosenthal anchoring BN shows, reminds me of the good old days of free big time boxing on ITV

Benelio wrote:Richie Woodhall

X2

Woodhall, malignaggi, lewis, roy jones, jim lampley, big george, and teddy atlas,these are my fav commentators

Benelio wrote:Richie Woodhall

I've always liked Richie's analysis.
some find him a bit dull but I would have him over Watt any day

TheLeprechaun wrote:Lampley is very underrated

Hes absolute top notch in terms of his voice and how he can create excitement. He is extremely knowledgeable and a genuine fan of the game. He really brings that big fight feel. He really ADDS to the experience of watching the fight which very few can do. Can you imagine him commentating on Joshua vs Whyte.

Ian Darke is another legend of commentary, along the same lines of Lampley. Never heard anyone complain about a Darke commentary. Darke always seemed to ask the questions I was thinking and bring up some things that made you think as well. I also thought he was quite humorous at times, in a kind of classy way.

Really miss Darke. I always try to catch a HBO version of a fight if I can.

I disagree on Lampley. He's done some putrid work where the narrative he wants to construct or has begun constructing completely overshadows what's actually going on in the ring.

davie wrote:

Benelio wrote:Richie Woodhall

I've always liked Richie's analysis.
some find him a bit dull but I would have him over Watt any day

If I wanted to add a little character to Richie's fine analysis it would be Steve Holdsworth from Eurosport every time
exactly what Sky needs, says it as he sees it, never hypes anything up and if a fight is shite, a complete mismatch or for a meaningless bauble, he tells you exactly that

Holdsworth used to, but nowadays he seems to either be very much out of touch or has to toe party orders. He was stunned at one of Danny Williams' more recent performances and most of the way through was calling him a decent fighter STILL based on some display he saw in a non-licenced fight.

Woodhall had to basically tell Steve has he been watching any boxing for the last 8 or so years.

stujones wrote:Holdsworth used to, but nowadays he seems to either be very much out of touch or has to toe party orders. He was stunned at one of Danny Williams' more recent performances and most of the way through was calling him a decent fighter STILL based on some display he saw in a non-licenced fight.

Woodhall had to basically tell Steve has he been watching any boxing for the last 8 or so years.

Well Danny Williams has somehow had an undefeated 2015 with a couple of wins in a row. Maybe he was throwing all those other fights for the past 4 years afterall?

Jim watt, Richie woodhall, paulie maliagnaggi, Eddie chambers.

I quite like Richie Woodhall.

Maybe Bunce comes cheap. I can't see Jim Rosenthal sitting up all night every Saturday.

mickey1975 wrote:Maybe Bunce comes cheap. I can't see Jim Rosenthal sitting up all night every Saturday.

A pack of biros, and he's yours for the evening.

Benelio wrote:

mickey1975 wrote:Maybe Bunce comes cheap. I can't see Jim Rosenthal sitting up all night every Saturday.

A pack of biros, and he's yours for the evening.

Froch
Malignaggi
RJJ
Barry Jones

Duke Mckenzie was great and should do more.

Roy definitely provides the most insight, although his delivery isn't great. Hopefully his over-prolonged career won't affect his future punditry abilities.

Boxerbeetle wrote:Roy definitely provides the most insight, although his delivery isn't great. Hopefully his over-prolonged career won't affect his future punditry abilities.

Along with his life span.

I would love to see the two Jims doing commentary one more time.... That's Rosenthal and Watt - Rosenthal is a pretty damn decent commentator as well as presenter.

Does anyone miss Dave Darts on Sky?

Always used to enjoy listening to Duke Mckenzie in the ITV days, would like to see him back on our screens.

The Young One wrote:Always used to enjoy listening to Duke Mckenzie in the ITV days, would like to see him back on our screens.

Duke will forever be associated with the Calzaghe-Lacy fight in my mind.

"John, Lacy's gone, he's got nothing left!" (Repeated about 60 times over the 12 rounds)

Counter-puncher wrote:

TheLeprechaun wrote:Lampley is very underrated

Hes absolute top notch in terms of his voice and how he can create excitement. He is extremely knowledgeable and a genuine fan of the game. He really brings that big fight feel. He really ADDS to the experience of watching the fight which very few can do. Can you imagine him commentating on Joshua vs Whyte.

Ian Darke is another legend of commentary, along the same lines of Lampley. Never heard anyone complain about a Darke commentary. Darke always seemed to ask the questions I was thinking and bring up some things that made you think as well. I also thought he was quite humorous at times, in a kind of classy way.

Really miss Darke. I always try to catch a HBO version of a fight if I can.

I disagree on Lampley. He's done some putrid work where the narrative he wants to construct or has begun constructing completely overshadows what's actually going on in the ring.

I agree with that. You're talking about some Pacman fights right? He's not perfect but in general he is pretty good. His voice I think is exceptional for commentary and I like it when he's just describing whats happening. For example, once tua gets ruiz going here Lampley takes over and simply describes what is happening in a matter of fact way but his voice and his own excitement is kind of infectious. Maybe it's just me though, a personal preference


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj5e7NPWnrY

Commentry and punditry is all about generating excitement and passion which translates through your television set and into your living room.

There's no substitute for genuine passion and excitement (sadly with today's commentators it's too often feigned and comes across a right wet lettuce).

Howard Cossell's commentry for Foreman-Frazier in round 1 is an example that sticks with me. He lost his voice by the end of the round from screaming "Down goes Frazier!".

The best in the business currently is Jim Watt. I don't always agree with him or his scorecards but if there was a mega fight tomorrow i'd want Jim Watt on the edge of his seat ringside because nobody else can translate the buzz of a big fight over the airwaves like he can.

Rewatch the end of r1 of Froch-Groves. Jim Watt's commentry consisted of him screaming "OOOAAHHHH!!". The action and intensity was immense and the commentators were as immersed as the crowd and viewers.

In the US the HBO team has always done a great job. This from round 9 in Gatti vs Ward is phenominal from the team, espicially from Manny Steward who personally was my favourite ever commentator/pundit who at the end screams "and here comes Gatti" which is enough to give you goosebumps: http://youtu.be/D5mRv3xGY80

Unfortunately in the UK most pundits and commentators across all our sports are complete garbage. Barry Jones? Seriously people? Guy doesn't even know the rules. Some of the garbage he spouts and he would bore you to tears. Johnny Nelson is a total loser who should be nowhere near a mic or a camera. He's like an old uncle at a party trying awkwardly to be down the kids, asking them if they like all the rap music. Bunce is gold imo but let's e honest he's just a bald fat bloke you'd meet down your local.

Football is even worse. I don't watch it much these days but since Sky got rid of Andy Grey there commentry and punditry has been putrid. I'll never forget Andy Grey screaming "ya beauty" after that Gerrard goal in the champions league.... but nor will i ever forget Gary Neville's "goal-gasm" after Torres scored against Barcelona.... unfortunately.

davie wrote:

davie wrote:

Benelio wrote:Richie Woodhall

I've always liked Richie's analysis.
some find him a bit dull but I would have him over Watt any day

If I wanted to add a little character to Richie's fine analysis it would be Steve Holdsworth from Eurosport every time
exactly what Sky needs, says it as he sees it, never hypes anything up and if a fight is shite, a complete mismatch or for a meaningless bauble, he tells you exactly that

Cant beleive i forgot the legendary steve holdsworth. He was carrying 2-3 hour telecasts on his own long before bunce....and had a similar style although far more erudite,polished and interesting