I am posting this to garner some reaction about HBO's Larry Merchant. I personally sometimes disagree with Merchant, and more often find his analogies down right painful, but overall find him to be a valuable assest to HBO and to boxing. Given the hate many seeth for him, I just wanted to start a thread to see what the fuss was over. All opinions are respected (except those that find any redeeming quality in John Ruiz). Sound off.

Well, I think he's a cool old guy that brings something to HBO boxing telecasts that makes it better than without him though I find his scoring always completely off and as in the Barrera fight, he doesn't score like an official judge would. Hehe. Funny old man.

i hate that rambling drunkard merchant. he should be timed

He's good with analogies but I hear him aging during every fight.

Merchant is going to croak soon..so for everyone who doesn't like him, don't let it take your sleep away.

merchant just rambles. i want the match to start but merchant has to have his say. he compares things that make you think that he has beent hittin the crack pipe.

You guys need to respect yer elders!

both Bush and Larry merchant are drunks

I am posting this to garner some reaction about HBO's Larry Merchant. I personally sometimes disagree with Merchant, and more often find his analogies down right painful, but overall find him to be a valuable assest to HBO and to boxing. Given the hate many seeth for him, I just wanted to start a thread to see what the fuss was over. All opinions are respected (except those that find any redeeming quality in John Ruiz). Sound off.

The Hugman Ruiz. He shouldn't be a boxing champ but a wrestling champ. :D :D :D

I think that Larry is doing his job well, but of course he's only human...

i would like to smack him around every once and a while, but he keeps it entertaining. Kind of a poor man's Cosell...I love him and hate him at the same time :confused:

It would fun to see Merchant compete in a Tough Man Over 60 Contest. I bet he could KO many people with his microphone while issuing acid jokes about the HW competitors being crap and out of shape.

He's kinda a cranky old man - I find him entertaining most of the time, really irritating on others. But I do agree, we'll miss him when he's gone...

It would fun to see Merchant compete in a Tough Man Over 60 Contest. I bet he could KO many people with his microphone while issuing acid jokes about the HW competitors being crap and out of shape.


Larry can KO people before a fight by making long observations that take forever to get to the point. :p

On Pacquiao vs. Cotto...

"this has become like a firing squad to a traitor."

He needs to retire already. :haha:

Larry Merchant is the only good thing about the HBO broadcasting team.

LONG LIVE LARRY!

Larry Merchant is the only good thing about the HBO broadcasting team.

LONG LIVE LARRY!

A-****in-men.

Larry Merchant. :hail:

On Pacquiao vs. Cotto...

"this has become like a firing squad to a traitor."

He needs to retire already. :haha:

"from zero to hero"

Merchant has seen more live than most will see in a life time on TV. Merchant is a staple but his foresight is very good because of his experience, he knows what fights will likely be made and the outcomes as well. I also like his lack of caring for what people think about him with his interviews. I like Merchant, and for those that hate him, what else would you laugh at during the HBO commentary?

"There's a new expression in the South called crunk, from Southern Hip Hop music....it means HOT. This fight figures to be CRUNK."

--Larry Merchant's final quote before Pavlik v Miranda.

I'v always enjoyed his commentary whether i agree with him or not. He's showing some signs of old age these days but i still prefer him over that big mouthed dweeb Max Kellerman any day of the week.

Larry Merchant is the only good thing about the HBO broadcasting team.

LONG LIVE LARRY!

I hear that man, lol...MERCHANT, MERCHANT!!!!!

He is the best.

I think he's funny. He cracks me up. He fights because he adds some kind of substance to the HBO commentary.

Someone needs to get John Madden to talk to Larry. Get the old farts a couple of non-alcoholic beers and have John start a heart to heart conversation on why you shouldn't be broadcasting sports when you're 80 ****ing years old. Knock some sense into ol' Larry.

He's a legend, but no one wants him to stroke out on live TV.

Someone needs to get John Madden to talk to Larry. Get the old farts a couple of non-alcoholic beers and have John start a heart to heart conversation on why you shouldn't be broadcasting sports when you're 80 ****ing years old. Knock some sense into ol' Larry.

He's a legend, but no one wants him to stroke out on live TV.


On Larry's worst day, he's better than Lampley at his best.


Don't be an ageist. The guy is pure gold.

Let Larry commentate until he says he's had enough. Period.