Michael Pass at the O2

yogi · Post by **yogi** » 16 Jul 2007, 09:09

I am not a big fan of Michael Pass’s style but I had to feel for him on Saturday. He’s had to play second fiddle to Michael Buffer on the last few Warren shows and now when he gets a prime ITV slot, they go and mess it up for him.

ITV4 and the Nicky Cook fight. The PA system was blaring out some public broadcasts at the same time as Michael Pass was talking and his mic was not hooked up to the venue’s speakers. It was obvious that even the boxers couldn’t hear their cue for the ringwalk. Cooks cornermen were doing their best to gee up his supporters while the MC soldiered on in the ring, heard by TV but not by the punters in attendance. It was eventually sorted just before Steve Luevano’s name was read out, with a big cheer going out from the audience.

ITV1 and the main event. Just after Willie Limond enters the ring and the MC is about to do the big intro, ITV decide to take an ad break. When they come back, it is obvious that the intro, contest, sponsors, steward in charge, judges etc has already been started and then the MC told to wait for the boxers introductions.

Shabby producing and well done to Michael Pass for coping with poor professionalism. Imagine if they had done that to Michael Buffer, I reckon he would have been more than pissed off.

101boxing · Post by **101boxing** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:31

totally agree.

its like he is trying to eat the f*cking microphone!!!!

''and the winner is gnrbwaDOUFBOPUW''

its like listening to the tazmanian devil on acid!!!

SticknMove · Post by **SticknMove** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:34

Mike Pass is not a good name for a Master of Ceremonies.

koomey · Post by **koomey** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:49

Maybe that's why he doesn't have speaking parts in Coronation Street.

In fairness though he is MILES better than Mike Goodhall....

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:50

He comes across as really sleazy to me, which is perfect for a Warren promotion.

Who's the "It's Showtime" bloke? Always thought he was the clearest and best speaker. On telly you can read the tale of the tape info, but it's nice to hear that live too.

whiskey · Post by **whiskey** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:52

Pass is ok folks - nice bloke too.

yogi · Post by **yogi** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:56

Grilling Machine wrote:Who's the "It's Showtime" bloke?

That's Jimmy Lennon Jnr.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:00

yogi wrote:ITV4 and the Nicky Cook fight. The PA system was blaring out some public broadcasts at the same time as Michael Pass was talking and his mic was not hooked up to the venue’s speakers. It was obvious that even the boxers couldn’t hear their cue for the ringwalk. Cooks cornermen were doing their best to gee up his supporters while the MC soldiered on in the ring, heard by TV but not by the punters in attendance. It was eventually sorted just before Steve Luevano’s name was read out, with a big cheer going out from the audience.

There was a false scare bomb alert and the PA system was telling people to evacuate. Nobody's fault except the fool who leaned against the "bomb alert" button during his fag break.

101boxing · Post by **101boxing** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:03

Grilling Machine wrote:He comes across as really sleazy to me, which is perfect for a Warren promotion.

Who's the "It's Showtime" bloke? Always thought he was the clearest and best speaker. On telly you can read the tale of the tape info, but it's nice to hear that live too.

hes not sleazy, just not very good

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:04

yogi wrote:That's Jimmy Lennon Jnr.

That's the one, I just Googled the catchphrase. To be fair, I'd need to see more of him before saying he's the best MC. I'm no great fan of Buffer though; too preening.

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:22

I've only seen Pass a few times when SHOBOX has broadcast from England, but I always thought he was pretty solid. I've never actually been much of a fan of Jimmy Lennon Jr. I much prefer Buffer or Lupe Contreras (who does most of the Telefutura broadcasts here in the U.S.).

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:44

Yeah, Lupe Contreras is a good up and commer in the MC. He is excellent in English also. Although I cannot speak a word of Spanish - I like the old Telemundo guy who says "Ladies and Gentleman" in an unusual way.

Jimmy Lennon is far and away the best, Michael Buffer has almost become a characture of himself.

Yeah, I felt a bit for Pass last week.... He kept his composure well though - especially when the O2 crowd cheered when his Mic started to work.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 16 Jul 2007, 12:30

Poor old Mike and his mic problems but what about this new guy, the black mc on Sky - He makes me laugh trying to get some feeling into what hes reading from the card - Almost like "now then children heres a little story about....

yogi · Post by **yogi** » 16 Jul 2007, 12:31

oliverfennell wrote:
There was a false scare bomb alert and the PA system was telling people to evacuate. Nobody's fault except the fool who leaned against the "bomb alert" button during his fag break.

So at what point did they realise it was false? Surely if the PA was telling people to evacuate, that's what should have been happening!!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Jul 2007, 12:34

WildWaylon wrote:Poor old Mike and his mic problems but what about this new guy, the black mc on Sky - He makes me laugh trying to get some feeling into what hes reading from the card - Almost like "now then children heres a little story about....

He's certainly the hardest MC about anyway.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 16 Jul 2007, 12:36

WildWaylon wrote:Poor old Mike and his mic problems but what about this new guy, the black mc on Sky - He makes me laugh trying to get some feeling into what hes reading from the card - Almost like "now then children heres a little story about....

Think that was ex boxer Gary Logan wasn't it?

Agree that Pass aint great, and nor is John McDonald ( "The best ringside seat in the housssssse..!" ) he sounds like he's reading the bingo and must be the inspiration for Ray Von from Phoenix Nights.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 16 Jul 2007, 12:43

Smashin fella though.

Shirow · Post by **Shirow** » 16 Jul 2007, 13:44

Jimmy Lennon is fine but you can't beat the over the top, bequiffed, permatanned stylings of The Buffer.

He's IS a parody of himself and he knows it and plays up to it. He still whips up quite an atmosphere. I especially love his gratuitous rolling R's when pronouncing Latin names

"Erik El Terrrrrrible MORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRALESSSS!"

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 16 Jul 2007, 13:57

he may not be great, but better than the fella that used to do it on most shows

So what if he had a bad night. Who gives a toss about the MC.

I'm there to see the fighters.

MC's mean nothing to the paying punter

yogi · Post by **yogi** » 16 Jul 2007, 19:06

chris s wrote: So what if he had a bad night. Who gives a toss about the MC.

I'm there to see the fighters.

MC's mean nothing to the paying punter

Don't agree Chris. The MC is an integral part of a public show.

He is there officially, licenced by the Boxing Board, to read out the boxers weights and credentials, then deliver the result, clearly, for the benefit of all at ringside.

But he is also the warm up man. The MC is there to build up the start, to showcase the boxers and help make it a spectacle.

It takes a unique character to fulfil the role of a ring announcer. The boxers are the most important people and should not be upstaged by the MC. Possibly this is why Buffer pisses a lot of people off. At small hall and dinner shows, a good MC can sometimes make a poor show look good and a bad MC can make a good show look bad.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 17 Jul 2007, 05:40

Pass is passable, ha ha sorry. Mike Goodall is awful he can barely string a sentence together, you would think he would have got better after so many years trying.

I think the best of the bunch is Jimmy Lennon Jnr. Or the MC who does the Australian main events fights. "And in the red corner; he's a joiner by day and a barman by night, he wears red shorts with a blue trim and his trainer is fred bloggs, his cutsman is mike smith....etc etc"

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 17 Jul 2007, 06:41

yogi wrote:
chris s wrote: So what if he had a bad night. Who gives a toss about the MC.

I'm there to see the fighters.

MC's mean nothing to the paying punter
Don't agree Chris. The MC is an integral part of a public show.

He is there officially, licenced by the Boxing Board, to read out the boxers weights and credentials, then deliver the result, clearly, for the benefit of all at ringside.

But he is also the warm up man. The MC is there to build up the start, to showcase the boxers and help make it a spectacle.

It takes a unique character to fulfil the role of a ring announcer. The boxers are the most important people and should not be upstaged by the MC. Possibly this is why Buffer pisses a lot of people off. At small hall and dinner shows, a good MC can sometimes make a poor show look good and a bad MC can make a good show look bad.

Fair enough, but I couldn't care less who is announcing fights.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 17 Jul 2007, 07:44

I think John McDonald is great. It's not exactly a classic style he has but no matter what corner of the planet some of these visiting fighters scome from, McDonald makes sure he can pronounce their name and hometown absolutely spot on. That is showing the respect they deserve.

Tony Lumb · Post by **Tony Lumb** » 17 Jul 2007, 07:52

John McDonald is clearly the best in the UK for me, and Jimmy Lennon Jr is the best in any sport in the world, not even close.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 17 Jul 2007, 08:16

Kilburn makes a valid point, another gripe i have with Mike Goodall. He stumbles over foreign names like a drunk trying to get into the house at 3am. You would think he would have a read of his card before he gets up there. He gives me the impression it is the first time he has seen it and is like "What the f**k does that say?"

Michael Pass at the O2

Michael Pass at the O2

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Re: Michael Pass at the O2