This is an article I found with regards to Jim Lampley and this past weekends fight between Mayweather and Brussles.


Lampley Lightweight On HBO Boxing
by Scott Yaniga

Prizefighting is a serious business. At times, it is a deadly business. That is why Jim Lampley’s behavior during last weekend’s HBO broadcast of the Floyd Mayweather, Jr.-Henry Bruseles bout was reprehensible at best and reckless at worst.

As Floyd—displaying all of the ring prowess that has vaulted him into lead of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world today—was in the process of walking through the hand-picked Bruseles, whose lack of competitive skills this night was matched only by his courage, Lampley took time away from the coverage of the bout to talk football with expert commentator Roy Jones, Jr. It took place during the seventh round, a session that saw the outgunned Bruseles manage to score an even round on unofficial ringside arbiter Harold Lederman’s card.

Once Jones gave his pick for a winner in the Patriots-Steelers divisional championship, Lampley made a point of telling Jones that, “I ask you (Jones) the question and Floyd looks here and says, ‘The Patriots.’” The sense of awe in Lampley was such that you would have thought Mayweather had broken the DaVinci Code.

In fact, so taken was Lampley with this bit of witty, non-boxing related banter that he continued on, ignoring the sight of an overmatched Bruseles actually holding his own this particular round. He went on to solicit Jones’ pick on the Eagles-Falcons game, then remarked that he would have to wait until Mayweather came to Lampley’s side of the ring to get his opinion on the gridiron tilt, adding, “…we know he’s already picked the Patriots…while in the middle of punching Henry Bruseles.” A clearly gaga Lampley then giddily informed the HBO home audience that “Between rounds we will show you—on replay—the moment when Floyd Mayweather, answering my question to Roy Jones, picked the Patriots to win tomorrow.” The clip was following by some smug chuckling from both Lampley and Jones.

The only counterbalance to this moronic interplay was Larry Merchant’s acerbic observations that, despite Mayweather’s “virtuoso performance” on this night, Bruseles was chosen as an opponent by Mayweather and his management only after they bypassed several top contenders at 140 pounds. He also punctured Roy Jones’ ego by rejoining to a Jones comment that the Falcons’ Michael Vick “is the Roy Jones of the game” with: “He might get knocked out, Roy.”

Round eight saw Lampley further engage in the same sort of witless, self-serving nonsense by waiting until the fighters maneuvered over to this position so he could shout, “Eagles or Falcons, Floyd?” After Mayweather delivered his pick to a practically breathless Lampley, even the buzzed-cut, aging frat boy himself acknowledged that “I’ve gotta stop this so that I don’t distract him. It’s too easy.”

Lampley, long the lightweight among the HBO crew of talking heads, has marked his career with a history of front-running in his commentary during bouts, continuing to hype his network’s contracted star fighters—whether or not they are actually in the lead, or in control of the fight in front of him—much to the chagrin of many boxing fans and media types. He has slavishly devoted himself to the fistic heroes of the HBO universe, whether it was tacitly countenancing the ridiculous ring entrances of Naseem Hamed or glorifying the showboating buffoonery of a Camacho, Jones, Jr., Judah or Mayweather, Jr., his lack of critical, objective commentary was made even more glaring by Larry Merchant’s cynical and caustic rejoinders to such boorish behavior over the years.

Now that Mayweather has dispatched the game Bruseles, and assuming that Arturo Gatti gets by the faded Jesse James Leija next weekend, it is likely that Floyd and Arturo will get together sometime later this year in a battle for Arturo’s piece of the 140-pound title. It will be interesting to see if Lampley will dare to belittle Gatti’s skills and effort against Mayweather, as he did to Bruseles, should Floyd overwhelm him with his speed and punching accuracy, as many feel likely to happen. Gatti is one of the long-time stars in the HBO Sports galaxy; Bruseles was a virtual unknown quantity among the upper echelon of the super lightweight division. Gatti doesn’t take a backwards step in his fights, and Bruseles didn’t either in his quixotic loss to the vastly superior Mayweather, Jr., and deserves no less consideration for his efforts than a marquee type as a Gatti.

Lampley diminished only himself, fortunately, with his boorish, unprofessional conduct during the Mayweather-Bruseles broadcast. Fighters—even losing fighters—themselves offer boxing the only dignity sometimes available to what has turned into the poor stepchild of American sports. It is uncalled for and undeserved for even the most modestly skilled fighter to have his performance marginalized or outright ignored by the type of self-indulgent claptrap that Lampley chooses to engage in during fight broadcasts.

For Lampley, who has never taken a punch for pay and who cowered like a blushing schoolgirl behind fellow commentator George Foreman during the 1996 riot that followed the Bowe-Golota disqualification bout at Madison Square Garden, it is apparent that the line between sports and entertainment is fatally blurred in his mind. Maybe he should let his good pal Pretty Boy Floyd tee off with a couple of shots to his mush or ribcage so he could see what all the fun and games are about in between the ropes. It would make for an entertaining segment during the next HBO broadcast

Well, for Henry Bruseles it might, anyhow.

I think this guy is a little overly harsh on the HBO crew.

I think this guy is a little overly harsh on the HBO crew.


Indeed. Hands down Lampley is the best boxing commentator. Jim Lampley is the ****in man.

Indeed. Hands down Lampley is the best boxing commentator. Jim Lampley is the ****in man.

Yeah he really is... some of his blow by blow comments during fights are legendary and his passion and professionalism is unsurppased.

Lampley is annoying most of the time. He also goes with the HBO fighters most of the time too. He's very biased in his commentary, especially when it comes to De La Hoya.

Lampley is annoying most of the time. He also goes with the HBO fighters most of the time too. He's very biased in his commentary, especially when it comes to De La Hoya.

I used to find him annoying when he first joined the HBO crew, but now I think he is awesome.

When he commentates you can tell who he's pulling for. He tends to overlook or not mention when one of his favorite fighters is getting tagged.

I think he gives color to boxing. Either u Love Him or u hate him...

HBO boxing commentaters overall do a good job. I mean seriously, who didn't think that was some funny ****? (Besides Brussels)

lampley brings alot of excitement to a fight...

When he commentates you can tell who he's pulling for. He tends to overlook or not mention when one of his favorite fighters is getting tagged.

That is true, and when it's a nationalistic matchup like in Chavez vs Taylor.. Forget about it he wont mention a damn thing the other guy does.

I feel strongly both ways .............B I A T C H ( LOL )

HBO suck, lampley and merchant are idiots who know nothing about the sport they comment on. all lampley does is quote compu box figures all night, if someone makes a technical point about the fight in front of them (rare i know)he's lost for words. merchant is an arrogant drunk who talks to the fighters at the end like they are something stuck to the bottom of his shoe. the best commentator i have heard is bob sheridan of cmx. he has vast knowledge of the sport and is repectful of all fighters, regardless of ability. HBO should hire him and ditch the team they have now.

Lampley listed Riddick Bowe & Lennox Lewis as the #1 & 2 best lb4lbers in the world, back in '92.

Yes....he thought they were better fighters than prime time Whitaker, Chavez, Norris....& others like Azumah Nelson.
I have been suspicious of this guy's boxing insight ever since.

He probably felt Riddick Bowe was the **** back then and had to say Lennox Lewis, because what Lewis did to Bowe in the olympics.

I still don't agree with it, though..

It is terrible that every time Floyd fights they ignore how good he is and bring up stuff that has nothing to do with boxing. That's not professinal, however that seems to be only when Mayweather fights I am a big fan of HBO,Lampley, Merchant and Jones. I get a kick out of some of Merchant's punch lines and jokes. :D Like the one last Saturday when he quoted some country song, it looked like he thought of that one for a while. :D I think this article is a little extreme for the most part the HBO crew is great.

this gyz dumb... lampley is the best commentator ive seen for any sport

that article is rediculous, lampley rules, he is one of the reasons i love watching hbo boxing, the guy loves his job and you can feel it in his commentary, id like to punch that writer in the mouth

steve albert is better then lampley and i hate larry old merchant

This guy's a ****ing moron. Who gives a **** if Lampley got sick of watching an uncompetitive fight and asked Roy about they weekends football gmaes. They were after all championship games and are a big deal in the states. For the writer to say it was reckless is a gross exageration.

larry merchant would point out things that lampley would never see if his life depended on it.

MAN THE HBO STAFF is the best! that is LAMPLEY's JOB to make the fight exciting like Chick hearn did for the lakers! Lampley did a smart thing he brang some comedy and excitment to a boring fight! can you blame him? he knows his audience too well. and larry merchant got jokes hahah when he said "Vick might get knocked out like roy" ahahah

larry merchant would point out things that lampley would never see if his life depended on it.

yeah this 2 is like batman and robin. anyway they earned their stripes by being there for a long, long time. they're almost as necessary as the gloves the boxers are using. they got to be there in the fights anybody likes.

What Lampley did was very unprofessional....& disrespectful to the poor sap who was getting his clock cleaned.

Nothing to crucify Lampley over....but, it was wrong.

Any article that tries to make Merchant sound like the smart one can safe be ignored. The guy is a racist old drunk. What people should be talking about is this guy's comments about Mayweather's "usual sparring partners" (i.e. his girlfriends). What an awful thing to say. Imagine if you were one of these girls watching this senile old man make a crack like that. Mayweather's troubles are nothing to be joked about.

Any article that tries to make Merchant sound like the smart one can safe be ignored. The guy is a racist old drunk. What people should be talking about is this guy's comments about Mayweather's "usual sparring partners" (i.e. his girlfriends). What an awful thing to say. Imagine if you were one of these girls watching this senile old man make a crack like that. Mayweather's troubles are nothing to be joked about.



I think Mayweather is reaping his own whirlwind. I think it should've been anybody but his girlfriend. Its a GIRL for Christ's sake. Maybe you can call Merchant "gay" and drunk for going to the side of the girl, but definitely not "racist". Come on all colors or non color should stand up for their women. Maybe pretty boy should get Laila Ali for his girl.

The guy writing this thing is a complete idiot. Jim Lampley in my opinion is the best boxing commentator of all time, even better than Cossell. Jim Lampley simply ran out of things to say about the Mayweather-Bruseles fight because the fight was pretty boring. Why don't they get on Showtime for doing Johnny Carson impersonations during a Jeff Lacy fight last year.

I think Mayweather is reaping his own whirlwind. I think it should've been anybody but his girlfriend. Its a GIRL for Christ's sake. Maybe you can call Merchant "gay" and drunk for going to the side of the girl, but definitely not "racist". Come on all colors or non color should stand up for their women. Maybe pretty boy should get Laila Ali for his girl.

I think you misunderstood me. I wasn't trying to say that Merchant was racist for calling out Mayweather. Merchant's shown his racism numerous times over the years...he can't stand Hopkins, for example, and he always seems to root against black fighters. I got mad cause Merchant's making a joke about something that you shouldn't joke about. That was a lot more inappropriate than what Lampley did.

I think you misunderstood me. I wasn't trying to say that Merchant was racist for calling out Mayweather. Merchant's shown his racism numerous times over the years...he can't stand Hopkins, for example, and he always seems to root against black fighters. I got mad cause Merchant's making a joke about something that you shouldn't joke about. That was a lot more inappropriate than what Lampley did.
He was good friends with Joe Frazier and even went into a business partnership with him.

He was good friends with Joe Frazier and even went into a business partnership with him.

Yeah, but a lot old racist guys have this idea that there are "good" and "bad" black people (only they don't say black people, if you know what I mean). They think there are good ones that behave themselves and bad ones that act like punks.

I'm not saying that Merchant's a clansman or anything. But I do think he thinks at least partially in terms of race when judging people.

Yeah, but a lot old racist guys have this idea that there are "good" and "bad" black people (only they don't say black people, if you know what I mean). They think there are good ones that behave themselves and bad ones that act like punks.

I'm not saying that Merchant's a clansman or anything. But I do think he thinks at least partially in terms of race when judging people.
What hardcore evidence do you have?

What hardcore evidence do you have?

I guess I shouldn't call a guy racist unless I have genuine proof. But I think some other guys on the forum might remember something he said or did that was pretty bad.

Anyway, maybe you're right and I'm wrong. That was just my impression of him.

I guess I shouldn't call a guy racist unless I have genuine proof. But I think some other guys on the forum might remember something he said or did that was pretty bad.

Anyway, maybe you're right and I'm wrong. That was just my impression of him.
He seems like an *******, but I don't think he's a racist.

lampleys usually on his game
but he just seemed to have an off nite
not only during the mayweatehr fight
but durign the perters diaz fight too
he kepts callen diaz by another name
and was also pretty much ignoring when yanqui was landing some nice combos and right hands in like the 2nd round

He seems like an *******, but I don't think he's a racist.

I still don't know why he's so hard on Hopkins, though. Doesn't seem to like him much.

and was also pretty much ignoring when yanqui was landing some nice combos and right hands in like the 2nd round
So was Peter.

What hardcore evidence do you have?
some people said he was racist becuz of how he conducts himself towards some black fighters agfter fights
like with lenox after vit and floyd after castillo 1
but as i said b4
he was rude to them
but it seemed to be becuz he was tryin 2 get them to acknowledge that they had a gift fight
and they were both just actiin like they truly won those fights fair n square

So was Peter.
yes he was
but as was the problem with brussle
he just seemed to be ignoren diaz work
there was one round where diaz landed about 2 or 3 good 3 punch combinations
but they werent mentioned at all
instead they talked about how peter wold fair againt top guys

yes he was
but as was the problem with brussle
he just seemed to be ignoren diaz work
there was one round where diaz landed about 2 or 3 good 3 punch combinations
but they werent mentioned at all
instead they talked about how peter wold fair againt top guys
It was a showcase fight. I didn't hear much from HBO during David Reid's 2nd round KO of Nick Rupa. It was a showcase fight for an up and coming prospect. Who gives a **** about Diaz.

Personally the hbo crew works really well because its a good mix of personality. As for old man Merchanct he has no place taling about Floyds personal business whether it is justified or not period.

lmao
ofcourse it was
but i still think credit should be given where credi is due

Personally the hbo crew works really well because its a good mix of personality. As for old man Merchanct he has no place taling about Floyds personal business whether it is justified or not period.
I thought the jokes were funny, but I'm a sick person.

for the most part they do a fair job, although jones lets his bias show pretty often....

for the most part they do a fair job, although jones lets his bias show pretty often....
RJ: A good straight left hand by Tarver, who ironically is a homosexual.

RJ: A good straight left hand by Tarver, who ironically is a homosexual.
lmao
def way to bias
but everythin else is true
so what if he glamourises tarver "good" straight left

lmao
def way to bias
but everythin else is true
so what if he glamourises tarver "good" straight left
I think Roy Jones is a pretty good announcer. He wasn't all that good when he started on Boxing after Dark, but he's gotten better. Whats good about him is he knows alot about boxing and the science and strategy of it. He might not be as likeable as George Foreman, but I think he knows more about the sport than Big George.

I think Roy Jones is a pretty good announcer. He wasn't all that good when he started on Boxing after Dark, but he's gotten better. Whats good about him is he knows alot about boxing and the science and strategy of it. He might not be as likeable as George Foreman, but I think he knows more about the sport than Big George.
ya
hes def better then george
seemed to only be able to relate when it was a big puncher
but roy had it all
so its easier him to relate to any fighter infront of him
whether they have speed,power, movement, or just boxing ability
he usually sees al the punches that the other guys miss
or atleast gets correct what punch it was
i get so angry and bother when they say good strait right
when it was a plain jab
these lil fuk ups are somethin ive yet to see roy do

ya
hes def better then george
seemed to only be able to relate when it was a big puncher
but roy had it all
so its easier him to relate to any fighter infront of him
whether they have speed,power, movement, or just boxing ability
he usually sees al the punches that the other guys miss
or atleast gets correct what punch it was
i get so angry and bother when they say good strait right
when it was a plain jab
these lil fuk ups are somethin ive yet to see roy do
I remember watching Jones-Barrera II and Roy was doing the commentary. Junior Jones was having trouble landing the right, and Roy suggested he hook of the jab and then throw the right. Junior started doing it and won the fight.

Hbo Should Find New People Because Larry And Lampley Are Starting To Piss Me Off, Time To Retire U Retard Merchant

Author needs to get a life

I actually enjoyed Lampley's theatrics during that fight. The fight was a mismatch anyhow, so what he did just showed how seriously Mayweather took Bruseles. You think Floyd would have had the chance to be giving football picks during a Castillo or Tszyu fight?

Also, Merchant annoyed me far more! His comments on Floyd and his sparring partners was really out of line. He also dissed Jones with that "he might get knocked out" comments. Jones like a true gentleman took it in stride though (he should have clocked him IMO).

Merchant's shown his racism numerous times over the years...he can't stand Hopkins, for example, and he always seems to root against black fighters. .

Larry Merchant: Why don't you give Hopkins more credit, he's fighting a terrific fight?
----5th round of Trinidad-Hopkins

Derrick Jefferson, I love you!
----6th round of Jefferson-Harris

Larry Merchant: Why don't you give Hopkins more credit, he's fighting a terrific fight?
----5th round of Trinidad-Hopkins

Derrick Jefferson, I love you!
----6th round of Jefferson-Harris

He was pretty bad during the De La Hoya fight, though, though all the HBO guys were cheering for Oscar on that one. They didn't seem to understand that he was playing right into Hopkins' hands with all the showboating early on. I think they wanted to see another Leonard-Hagler.

I won't call Larry a racist anymore because I have no evidence and it's a B.S. thing to do to call someone something like that without proof. But I still don't like him.

He was pretty bad during the De La Hoya fight, though, though all the HBO guys were cheering for Oscar on that one. They didn't seem to understand that he was playing right into Hopkins' hands with all the showboating early on. I think they wanted to see another Leonard-Hagler.

I won't call Larry a racist anymore because I have no evidence and it's a B.S. thing to do to call someone something like that without proof. But I still don't like him.
I don't like him because he has an ego problem and loves to hear himself talk.