Michael Buffer - Lets Get Ready to Rumble

[Mimmy]

Any idea what was the first fight that Buffer actually said that phrase?

[taffytoon]

In 1982, Buffer began his career as a ring announcer. By 1983, he was announcing all boxing matches promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank on ESPN, which gave him a national identity at a time when ring announcers were strictly locally hired talent.[3] By 1984, Buffer developed the catchphrase "Let's get ready to rumble" in his announcing, which gained enormous popularity. He began the process of obtaining a federal trademark for the phrase in the 1980s, which he acquired in 1992.

[tiny_acres]

In 1982, Buffer began his career as a ring announcer. By 1983, he was announcing all boxing matches promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank on ESPN, which gave him a national identity at a time when ring announcers were strictly locally hired talent.[3] By 1984, Buffer developed the catchphrase "Let's get ready to rumble" in his announcing, which gained enormous popularity. He began the process of obtaining a federal trademark for the phrase in the 1980s, which he acquired in 1992.

In an interview I just read while trying to find the answer.Buffer says It was late 1983 on a top rank card.
He can not remember the participants.Sad that we may never get the answer to what fight was the first to use it.

[forcefraser]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

[handsofstone]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

What was Joshua's nicknane that he used for about 1 fight,it didnt seem to catch on

People's Champion or whatever

[Boxerbeetle]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

What was Joshua's nicknane that he used for about 1 fight,it didnt seem to catch on

People's Champion or whatever

Yeah, People's Champion was a brill nickname, dunno how it didn't catch on for Joshua...It was almost as cringe-worthy as the patronising 'it's time to meet your HERO' when introducing Froch at the Bute fight.

[mickey1975]

"The Future Peoples Champion".

[milpool]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

And when was the first time Stewpot/Kev from Bev & Kev shouted Martin Get in?

[ShadrachSimmo]

"The Future Peoples Champion".

"The Interim Future Peoples Champion"...

[turn2stone]

too bad Buffer's aged vocal chords now usually just draw-out the boxers last name in the same way Oprah calls out her fawning guests.

[Bodyshot3]

Love the Buffer....but still prefer the British, old-school ring announcers of yesteryear (usually sporting a wig and a velvet bow tie) who used to do.....

"My Looords, Laaadies and Gentttlemann! We now reach the main event of the evening, 12 rounds of championship boxing for the wooooorld middlewight title. Mr. Jarvais Astaire proudly presents....."

I am guessing the Lords phrase must actually go right back to the first days of prize-fighting when it was highly-fashionable in London Society circles and 'The Fancy' and landed gentry used to attend?

[ILikeBeer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q-emkNq__8

[Bodyshot3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q-emkNq__8

Oh gawd, they did indeed wreck the mic

[reggaereggae]

"The Future Peoples Champion".

"The Interim Future Peoples Champion"...

Hahahah lol.

I also thought Scott 'the real' Harrison was fu cking awful. I think it only lasted a fight or two

[Happy Slapper]

too bad Buffer's aged vocal chords now usually just draw-out the boxers last name in the same way Oprah calls out her fawning guests.

Huh?

[ILikeBeer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q-emkNq__8

Oh gawd, they did indeed wreck the mic

No, that was just a psyche.

[HollywoodMC]

All credit to Michael Buffer, he will be 70 this year, survived throat cancer and is still working all over the world! he's had a great career and one of the reasons I got into announcing myself. He has influenced ring announcer throughout his career which is good and bad I think. There are a lot of Buffer clones out there, trying to deliver exactly like he does, usually quite badly, and very few guys who have found their own style. I love british boxing and am having a great time getting to know the scene and announcing great up and coming fighters. I have been fortunate enough to work all over the world in that "other sport" and have really been made to feel welcome from everyone I have worked so far in the boxing world, you guys have all been great!! I am now focusing primarily on boxing and am looking forward to a long career here in the UK and getting to know more of you guys in the coming months and years!!

If any of you guys are ever at a show I'm working, please come and say hello!

[Gazmac81]

i think that was a Dig at Audley to be fair , then they started calling him the "Real Mccoy"

still not great though


Hahahah lol.

I also thought Scott 'the real' Harrison was fu cking awful. I think it only lasted a fight or two[/quote]

[Dan Dares]

Yeah, People's Champion was a brill nickname, dunno how it didn't catch on for Joshua...It was almost as cringe-worthy as the patronising 'it's time to meet your HERO' when introducing Froch at the Bute fight.

It winds me up when boxers are referred to as heroes. I always thought a hero was a lifesaver.

[BOXINGBARMY1]

I have recordings of him doing very early Tyson bouts and his phrase then was " Ladies and gentlemen mann your battlestations for the next bout of the evening" but he dropped that for " Lets get ready to rumble".

Chuck Hull was the best in my humble opinion.

[chiggsy]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

PAUL....GGGRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHH......

[Jon Saxon]

Buffer introduces and speaks in many languages and is miles better than any MC in history.
He sets the tension like no other.
Consummate pro.

Lennon is good but his voice is a tad winey.

[magwitch]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

PAUL....GGGRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHH......

I've never read a feauture on Buffer in any boxing mag or quality newspaper (or the Sun/ Mail/ Mirror either for that matter..), which is surprising and a pity, as I reckon they could make an interesting feature on him.

edit: I'm sure someone has done, esp. in the States, but I've never seen anything in the British media. I'd like to!

[magwitch]

also I prefer JL.Jr, personally, but still like both. Probably because when Jimmy does it it's a big fight on British soil.

[Graham Houston]

More importantly, when did the Prizefighter growler AKA John McDonald first scream "it`s fight night LIVE!!!!!!!!"

PAUL....GGGRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHH......

I've never read a feauture on Buffer in any boxing mag or quality newspaper (or the Sun/ Mail/ Mirror either for that matter..), which is surprising and a pity, as I reckon they could make an interesting feature on him.

edit: I'm sure someone has done, esp. in the States, but I've never seen anything in the British media. I'd like to!

Boxing Monthly published an interview with Michael Buffer, December 1988, pages 18-22. Glyn's headline for the piece: "Smooth operator"; article written by yours truly.