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Jim Rosenthal axed by ITV
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:26
by jomothepure
The news has been about for a week or so, although I only picked it up yesterday.
He'll see out his contract ie. "will continue to present what is left of ITV boxing" and then leave in the Summer, which coincides with the end of ITV's contract with Khan.
Seems to me like ITV has finished with the boxing. Concentrating on a bid for the FA Cup and England internationals, which will cost them many many times the price of boxing. Particularly short sighted on their part, given the fact Khan will be fighting for world titles in a year or two.
Presumably Warren will move lock and stock to Setanta now. Seems logical anyway. I really really hope a terrestrial channel is going to pick something up. I wouldn't like to throw a figure out, but I'm sure showing boxing costs a fraction of some programmes, and I think boxing could really do with a continued presence during its current revival.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... itv126.xml
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:28
by Poncey
I only know the cost of U.S. fights on SKY. Pavlik v Taylor cost around £40k.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:35
by Lenny
That's a shame, I hope Setanta pick him up to do the shows Dempsey doesn't as I quite like the count.
Didn't he turn down the Grand Prix coverage because boxing was his real passion?
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:42
by Bard of Boxrec
rose the nose! Noooooooo
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:45
by Poncey
Lenny wrote:That's a shame, I hope Setanta pick him up to do the shows Dempsey doesn't as I quite like the count.
Didn't he turn down the Grand Prix coverage because boxing was his real passion?
They replaced him with the dude they signed from Grandstand when it was axed. His name escapes me, Steve something.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:48
by Old bones Ian
Steve Rider is the chap. can't believe that Jim is 60 years old.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 11:48
by Bard of Boxrec
steve rider, a consummate pro
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 12:16
by Matt W
I recently nominated Billy Graham for a high profile coaching award which he duly won. The presentation was made at a 'posh do' at The Dorchester hotel, presented by Princess Anne and compered by Steve Ryder. To introduce Billy's award Smooth Ryder read out what I had written. A bit of a surreal moment that was...
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 12:29
by DavidPayne
I'll miss Jim. A real pro and got the balance just right.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 12:34
by Matt W
And as a bonus he looks like Sesame Street's Count. What's not to like???

Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 13:18
by Flump
Safe pair of hands Jim, he'll be missed. Hopefully SKY will pick him up, that Dave bloke winds me up.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 14:18
by banjo
Flump wrote:Safe pair of hands Jim, he'll be missed. Hopefully SKY will pick him up, that Dave bloke winds me up.
That would be Dave Clark the grinning goon
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 14:52
by rhino222
i dont think dave clark has done too bad considering he was replacing a very good man in paul dempsey. anyway...im more interested in what happens inside the ring.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 15:25
by stujones
It does seem to be a strange decision as he has been doing more football recently.... but he was generally lambasted for his presenting of the RWC - yes, alot by non-english viewers but also cause it was clear he is not the biggest fan of the sport. So I do wonder if this was part of the reasoning.
Sad thing is, it looks like ITV are out of boxing - despite decent ratings and new episodes of the archive "Best of Big fight live" on ITV 4.
Last weekends presentation/production was one of ITV's better efforts - full of boxing really, less B/S.
Gutted about that - Boxing needs to be on terrestial TV.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 16:52
by dr_devious
I think Jim Rosenthal is, and has been, a great presenter. His voice is synonymous with ITV boxing. Looks like ITV are getting out of boxing again.
Setanta is now the real boxing channel imo
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 17:18
by harrygreb
less BS stu? wow, i can only summise that there has been so much of it we are now failing to recognize the stuff.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 18:19
by stujones
harrygreb wrote:less BS stu? wow, i can only summise that there has been so much of it we are now failing to recognize the stuff.
What I meant was the time from introduction to fight 1, and then from fight 1 to fight 2.
There was more boxing action in these shows than in previous shows... thats what it felt like, and at least it wasn't ALL about Khan. Jennings vs Minter had a bit of attention also.
Normally if a fight finishes early, ITV will repeat it as a filler - this time they showed a different fight.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 18:33
by silkov
Its a disgrace, Jim's one of the few presenters left who actually knows whats he doing!.... :x :x :x
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 22:29
by HairyBoxe24
Can't say I like him as much as others seem to, I think it was because he did so many things before boxing - I like someone who specializes in on area.
Wouldn't say I disliked him though.
Posted: 04 Feb 2008, 22:42
by banjaxd
axed, sounds a bit harsh and not just a little messy...
cany they just put him out to pasture or point him in the direction of cable ?
Posted: 05 Feb 2008, 04:26
by Twinkle Toes
Not a fan of Jimbo - He made a mess of the F1 coverage.
Mind you Steve Ryder has sold his soul and isn't half as good as he was on the beeb.
Posted: 05 Feb 2008, 08:03
by Ash-Weston
Steve Bunce might do it.But isnt he tied the BBC? coz i saw him present an Amateur show on grandstand once
Posted: 05 Feb 2008, 08:04
by dondada
Ash-Weston wrote:Steve Bunce might do it.But isnt he tied the BBC? coz i saw him present an Amateur show on grandstand once
He's on Setanta too.
Posted: 05 Feb 2008, 09:35
by bennie
Jim has proved himself a class act for 28 years.
Simply irreplaceable.
Posted: 05 Feb 2008, 09:41
by whicker
Personally, I couldn't care less- not in a nasty way, of course- its just that I don't ever pay attention to commentators, pundits, critics, studio experts and all that. Me, I'd rather see more boxing action and less talk.