BoxRec

I see Ian Darke has signed a long-term deal for ESPN which will see him commentate for them on MLS, Premier League, US Soccer games and the 2014 World Cup.

http://www.epltalk.com/ian-darke-to-mak ... game-24911

Early days, I know, but does this mean that SKY are set to lose their boxing commentator? If so, that would be a real shame as I think he's their strongest asset.

the konformist wrote:I see Ian Darke has signed a long-term deal for ESPN which will see him commentate for them on MLS, Premier League, US Soccer games and the 2014 World Cup.

http://www.epltalk.com/ian-darke-to-mak ... game-24911

Early days, I know, but does this mean that SKY are set to lose their boxing commentator? If so, that would be a real shame as I think he's their strongest asset.

Yes they are! It's a shame as he the best football commentator too. Alan parry a twat! Martin Tyler past it!

Well i hope its that adam smith (forgotten his nameso apologies if thats wrong) who takes over rather than the guy who does the darts!He's gets on right on my tits!

lefty wrote:Well i hope its that adam smith (forgotten his nameso apologies if thats wrong) who takes over rather than the guy who does the darts!He's gets on right on my tits!

Super Sid Wardell is a legend but he could never do any sport other than pub games (he some times commentates on pool as well).

Iain Darke has been doing less and less boxing over the years and Adam Smith is already Sky's main boxing commentator. John Rawling did a few shows towards the end of last season so maybe Sky will have him back as Adam's cover.

leforge wrote:

the konformist wrote:I see Ian Darke has signed a long-term deal for ESPN which will see him commentate for them on MLS, Premier League, US Soccer games and the 2014 World Cup.

http://www.epltalk.com/ian-darke-to-mak ... game-24911

Early days, I know, but does this mean that SKY are set to lose their boxing commentator? If so, that would be a real shame as I think he's their strongest asset.

Yes they are! It's a shame as he the best football commentator too. Alan parry a twat! Martin Tyler past it!

best commentator andy gray is miles ahead in knowledge and passion for the game.

Adam Smith gets way too dramatic sometimes.

Darke has the right balance and doesn't come across with his own agenda, or be overbearing.

HomeOfBritishBoxing wrote:

leforge wrote:

the konformist wrote:I see Ian Darke has signed a long-term deal for ESPN which will see him commentate for them on MLS, Premier League, US Soccer games and the 2014 World Cup.

http://www.epltalk.com/ian-darke-to-mak ... game-24911

Early days, I know, but does this mean that SKY are set to lose their boxing commentator? If so, that would be a real shame as I think he's their strongest asset.

Yes they are! It's a shame as he the best football commentator too. Alan parry a twat! Martin Tyler past it!

best commentator andy gray is miles ahead in knowledge and passion for the game.

Andy gray a twat !

Big loss for Sky Sports.

As far as Adam Smith is concerned, although he has his strengths (notably his enthusiasm) and is a decent enough features journalist, in terms of commentary he has absolutely no gift for describing what his happening in front of him. So much so that he seemingly stopped trying years ago.

G0mez wrote:Adam Smith gets way too dramatic sometimes.

Darke has the right balance and doesn't come across with his own agenda, or be overbearing.

Both waffle on too much for my liking, mind you most sports commentators in general are like that nowadays.

darke left for one reason and one reason only... money.

Sky should have dipped into their pockets to keep him.

Wake up call wrote:

lefty wrote:Well i hope its that adam smith (forgotten his nameso apologies if thats wrong) who takes over rather than the guy who does the darts!He's gets on right on my tits!

Super Sid Wardell is a legend but he could never do any sport other than pub games (he some times commentates on pool as well).

Iain Darke has been doing less and less boxing over the years and Adam Smith is already Sky's main boxing commentator. John Rawling did a few shows towards the end of last season so maybe Sky will have him back as Adam's cover.

Oh i wasnt talking about Sid,I was talking about the fella who does the studio work.The guy who's always got a cheesy grin on his face!

Dave Clark? I don't think he does any commentary, just a presenter.

Speaking of presenters whatever happened to Paul Dempsey, I know he went to setanta but seems to have disappeared now, that other guy who occasionally did the presenting(I think between Dempsey leaving and Clark taking over) wasn't bad either, the scouse fella.

John Rawling coming onto Sky??

Sky should sign Buncey up

Smokin Preedy wrote:Sky should sign Buncey up

too OTT for sky's restrained style.

HomeOfBritishBoxing wrote:

leforge wrote:

the konformist wrote:I see Ian Darke has signed a long-term deal for ESPN which will see him commentate for them on MLS, Premier League, US Soccer games and the 2014 World Cup.

http://www.epltalk.com/ian-darke-to-mak ... game-24911

Early days, I know, but does this mean that SKY are set to lose their boxing commentator? If so, that would be a real shame as I think he's their strongest asset.

Yes they are! It's a shame as he the best football commentator too. Alan parry a twat! Martin Tyler past it!

best commentator andy gray is miles ahead in knowledge and passion for the game.

Andy Gray used to be great. Now he is a Sky corporate man to the marrow, it seems. Darke is miles better - absolutely no contest.

yeah surely it's adam smith being the main man

will they bring in another, as well?

what if smith gets a sore throat?

G0mez wrote:Adam Smith gets way too dramatic sometimes.

Darke has the right balance and doesn't come across with his own agenda, or be overbearing.

Case in point with Adam Smith is this.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY1jzjTjIhY Go forward to about 2:00 and you will see why. I too like Ian Darke as well when I have heard him on Sky as well when he does either the Boxing or Football.

Autobarn wrote:yeah surely it's adam smith being the main man

will they bring in another, as well?

what if smith gets a sore throat?

Maybe we'll get some peace.

yes john rawlings has 6 or 7 shows to do before end of year,very good at his job is john

Was sat with a boxer once who was about to box on a sky show. We were in the arena before the doors opened. Ian Darke came to sit with us for a chat. We sat for about 10 minutes having a natter. Nice fella. So my mate says, 'we better go get ready, nice to meet you Colin'. Ian darke laughed and said 'It's nice to know I'm making an impact in the trade'.

banjo wrote:Dave Clark? I don't think he does any commentary, just a presenter.

Speaking of presenters whatever happened to Paul Dempsey, I know he went to setanta but seems to have disappeared now, that other guy who occasionally did the presenting(I think between Dempsey leaving and Clark taking over) wasn't bad either, the scouse fella.

Dempsey still presents the football on Setanta, and I think he presented the Frampton card they had last week.

It might be my memory playing tricks on me, but I swear Nicky Piper actually presented a couple of boxing shows on sky a few years back when they still had the occasional midweek card. Did he, or am I imagining it?

As for Darke, it sounds like he's done alright for himself. The Man City v Chelsea match this afternoon was the first one he did for ESPN in the states, though I have heard he may have one or two fights left on sky-though last saturday could have been his final night.

Dempsey's gone from the main studio anchor role, he went ages ago - It's Dave Wotsit, the Leeds fan who always looks like he has something in his right eye.

Darke and McCrory used to be the main team until they got Reg and Jim across from ITV. Then obviously with Reg going they often paired up Jim with Adam Smith.

Smith has been doing it years, you kind of forget just how long (he did Wayne Alexander/Samuels, which was ten years ago), he's just really annoying once he gets going and makes everything sound like Hagler/Hearns (which if you listen to both the UK and US commentary, neither are actually going wild).

I think they're struggling at the moment - Usually it's Dave dispensing platitudes in the studio with Glen, Nicky and Johnny all sitting on the fence (or Nicky picking the Welsh fighter) but Piper seems to have fallen out of favour and does neither the studio or blow by blow regularly - They have him as a talking head between rounds sometimes.

They've been trying out Nelson as a blow by blow, he was a bit patchy the first couple of times but he's growing on me. He has a tendency to get carried away if Smith's next to him though and I didn't like they way they were all over Bellew until it was obvious Bob was going nowhere then it was "ah yes the canny Ingle camp, Dom's great in there, giving him the right advice" then when Bellew started to land again in the last 3rd they were all over him again and Bob was just surviving etc etc.

I don't think Glen works without Darke, keep him in the studio keeping Dave in check.

Get rid of Piper in the studio, he's banal and pointless and never gets off the fence. Keep him doing the inane between round stuff.

They need more guests in the studio - Clev was alright last night, to the point and pithy and no self aggrandisement going on. I didn't see Khan doing it last weekend, I dread to think what sort of nuggets of wisdom he was knocking out alongside "you know" "erm" and "so yeah" every 2 seconds but at least it adds a little spice/dimension to the smug, pretend bonhomie they have going in the studio.

Keep with Nelson doing blow by blow but put a gag on Smith and see how Nelson and Watt work together. Pull Smith back in if it pipes it down.

[quote="orbtastic"]Dempsey's gone from the main studio anchor role, he went ages ago - It's Dave Wotsit, the Leeds fan who always looks like he has something in his right eye. [quote]



An observation: is it just me or do all Ingle fighters talk out of the side of their mouths?

orbtastic wrote:Dempsey's gone from the main studio anchor role, he went ages ago - It's Dave Wotsit, the Leeds fan who always looks like he has something in his right eye.

Darke and McCrory used to be the main team until they got Reg and Jim across from ITV. Then obviously with Reg going they often paired up Jim with Adam Smith.

Smith has been doing it years, you kind of forget just how long (he did Wayne Alexander/Samuels, which was ten years ago), he's just really annoying once he gets going and makes everything sound like Hagler/Hearns (which if you listen to both the UK and US commentary, neither are actually going wild).

I think they're struggling at the moment - Usually it's Dave dispensing platitudes in the studio with Glen, Nicky and Johnny all sitting on the fence (or Nicky picking the Welsh fighter) but Piper seems to have fallen out of favour and does neither the studio or blow by blow regularly - They have him as a talking head between rounds sometimes.

They've been trying out Nelson as a blow by blow, he was a bit patchy the first couple of times but he's growing on me. He has a tendency to get carried away if Smith's next to him though and I didn't like they way they were all over Bellew until it was obvious Bob was going nowhere then it was "ah yes the canny Ingle camp, Dom's great in there, giving him the right advice" then when Bellew started to land again in the last 3rd they were all over him again and Bob was just surviving etc etc.

I don't think Glen works without Darke, keep him in the studio keeping Dave in check.

Get rid of Piper in the studio, he's banal and pointless and never gets off the fence. Keep him doing the inane between round stuff.

They need more guests in the studio - Clev was alright last night, to the point and pithy and no self aggrandisement going on. I didn't see Khan doing it last weekend, I dread to think what sort of nuggets of wisdom he was knocking out alongside "you know" "erm" and "so yeah" every 2 seconds but at least it adds a little spice/dimension to the smug, pretend bonhomie they have going in the studio.

Keep with Nelson doing blow by blow but put a gag on Smith and see how Nelson and Watt work together. Pull Smith back in if it pipes it down.

Good points. I liked Dempsey in the studio and Darke, McCrory was always good. I've never been a big fan of him bring back Gary Mason haha Don't like Smith's commentary don't rate him at all. I like Jim Watt he always does a good job. Wouldn't mind Sky getting Barry McGuigan back either. I like the idea of havingguest's in the studio like Cleverly was on Friday.