[Jack 1000]

To start, my thoughts on Jim Lamply:

I have to say in Jim's defense that when he was at HBO 20 years ago, he did not play up to certain fighters like he does now. His illustrations and delivery where articulate, to the point, and focused more on unbiased commentary. Jim tries very hard to generate exciting fights, and when a fight is exciting, he was, and remains a joy to hear.

I wonder if the powers that be at the time, such as Kerry Davis and Ross Greenberg encouraged pom-poming of the fighters that HBO had under contract? Larry Merchant in contrast, told it like it was, most of the time. However, you may recall that he got banned from a telecast once for saying that "Delahoya's entrance music, sucked."

I think when Roy Jones and especially Delahoya came on the scene, the powers that be behind the scenes might have insisted that the name fighter was bigger than the event itself, and I recall that when Lou Dibella was matchmaker, he put on some of the BEST boxing for HBO! Lou was the brain-trust behind the original Boxing After Dark, and the development of brining Gatti to the network with classic wars, just like Erik Morales, Marco Barrera, and Kennedy McKinney. A far cry in contrast of today, when HBO BAD is used as a marketing tool to build up fighters for PPV paydays. House guys like Delahoya still gave shit some of the time, (Campas) and Jones, (Frazier.) and I remember Lou apologizing for the Jones-Frazier shit but said there wasn't anything they could do, because they had to show Roy's fights because he was under contract, regardless of opponent.

Showtime seems to think that quality fights are more important than cheer-leading for a popular name. Don't build up a "future star" with mediocre competition. Just give the fans great two-sided fights. HBO commentary should be exciting more the fights that have two-sided action in the ring, with a good hint of doubt as to who will win before the fight takes place. The problem is, guys like Lamps would OHHH and Ahhh one fighter against a bum, just because it's Delahoya or just because it's Jones.

I also appreciate the effort that HBO commentary and Showtime can be objective when a house fighter gets a decision that they don't deserve. (Williams-Laura-HBO, Cloud-Campillo-Showtime.) This shows that they can be objective when they work at it and the opportunity presents itself.

Jack

[daprofessor]

jim and larry are horrible. get rid of them.

manny is better when he's with kellerman.

always liked roy.

i miss big george. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

hbo...please give the fans the option of watching without commentary. i'd be happy with just the crowd and ring noise! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Franchize]

The guys on Showtime are better. They just lack personality. Tarver and Ward are going to be phenomenal once they quit boxing. I never was a fan of Tarver as a boxer but he's an excellent commentator. Lampley was great when he was neutral. Now that he clearly has an agenda... and that revolving door of idiotic glasses...his commentary has taken a huge hit. Merchant always sucked IMO

[bMaK]

jim and larry are horrible. get rid of them.

manny is better when he's with kellerman.

always liked roy.

i miss big george. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

hbo...please give the fans the option of watching without commentary. i'd be happy with just the crowd and ring noise! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Completely agree with everything, especially the Manny comment. Steward has a tendency to let the narrative of the other two guys direct his own opinion, which is a damn shame for a guy that knows as much about the sport as he does. Lost a lot of respect for him myself. Roy and Big George keep shit uncut, fucka PC filter or whatever their partners wanna hear!

[Jack 1000]

jim and larry are horrible. get rid of them.

manny is better when he's with kellerman.

always liked roy.

i miss big george. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

hbo...please give the fans the option of watching without commentary. i'd be happy with just the crowd and ring noise! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That would be a great idea, Professor!

At least an option to watch fights WITHOUT commentary. Just use the second Audio track if its available.

Jack

[daprofessor]

Completely agree with everything, especially the Manny comment. Steward has a tendency to let the narrative of the other two guys direct his own opinion, which is a damn shame for a guy that knows as much about the sport as he does. Lost a lot of respect for him myself. Roy and Big George keep shit uncut, fucka PC filter or whatever their partners wanna hear!

it really is a damn shame. he's a huge disappointment imo. that's why i loved george!

This post has been edited by daprofessor: May 11 2012, 04:47 PM

[daprofessor]

That would be a great idea, Professor!

At least an option to watch fights WITHOUT commentary. Just use the second Audio track if its available.

Jack

they did it recently for a round and it was the most pleasant round i've ever watched on hbo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[bMaK]

they did it recently for a round and it was the most pleasant round i've ever watched on hbo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

They actually tried that in the NFL back in the day. Can't remember if it was the 70's or 80's, but it didn't work out.

[BoxingStill#1]

HBO has invested interest in certain fighters.

As long as Ive followed boxing Ive noticed this. I can go on and on with fighters who would seem very marketable but have come up short. Its is the JOB of commentators to be a bit bias towards them IMO...

Recent examples:

Chad Dawson- Im sure we can all agree that he was the next big thing, but he was beat hands down by a stong active Pascal. IMO if they fight again it will be the same outcome. The only REAL notable thing he has done to this point is beat an aged Hopkins. He will never peak this. HBO is going to try and milk him along I think. Id be suprised if the Ward fight gets made. Dont get me wrong, he is a solid fighter who is strong fundamentally but I dont think he is as MARKETABLE as the Home Box Office planned. In other words.. he will not be a huge PPV draw.. ..ever..

Amir Khan- HBO has used his ties with Paq to build him initially. He is a huge draw over seas but lets face it folks.. he's no Hatton.. or Calzaghe for that matter.. what really grinds my gears is how even though he lost the fight with Peterson he is still being promoted by HBO (commercials ect.) as the guy to watch. I know Khan is the
draw but Im also like isnt Lamont the champ? ( this prior to recent developments) Khan is a good fighter, but he is marketable mainly. He's loud, opinionated, charismatic, and has a good european following. HBO is definitely bias towards him..

Other names like Broaner (joining the commentary during the fight), Gamboa (hard on his nutts but with his not so entertaining recent fight and no show for Rios HBO kinda backed off I think), Canelo (main driving force right now for upcomming stars)... just to name a few ..

Not to mention that DURING A FIGHT it seems that the main highlighted punches counted are from the favored fighter... this is typical if you are paying attention.

I think Lamply is a bit bias at times,.... Kellerman is getting much better and is becoming better with generating interest with the underdog (non HBO star).. usually Stewart is most accurate but stiil slightly favors the actions of the draw. ..Merchant is starting to slowly kill me.. Im not even gonna comment

I enjoy commentary most of the time.. but typically when I see something going on and they commentary says the same moment later... but often I ask myself "are these guys watching the same fight as me?"

[pimpfighterROQ]

Pacquiao vs Clottey


"Bang, Bang, Bang! Here I come. Bang Bang!!"

- Jim Lampley


enough said...