By Keith Terceira
Last week I had the pleasure to be ringside at Wild Bills Concert Hall in Duluth, Georgia for a Dana Pitcher Productions event. Broadcast by Comcast, Cox and various other television outlets this show was reminiscent of the 1950’s broadcasts, believe me when I say it was an old school production with a flavor that we rarely see in the generation of building fighters and television commentators that seem to forget they are getting a check from the sport.
Twenty years ago, a Chairman of the Board of one of the largest financial corporations in America told me over a vodka gimlet that “ You don't crap where you eat,” of course I was trying to make an impression at the time, so I didn't inform him that my father had told me the same thing many years earlier in less politically correct terms.
When it comes to announcers in the sport of boxing, this wisdom is rarely observed. I don't have to give examples because all the channels currently running boxing programming do the same thing. From one corner of their mouths they build up the event and the next second they tear down the sport, its promoters, and/or the fighters themselves.
It was a grand experience to finally have a broadcast team in Aaron Snowell and Pedro Fernandez that stuck to the event in front of them and appreciated the sport for what it could be, once was, and should be.
Not once did Pedro or Aaron in their commentary tell the public that a fighter shouldn't be in the ring with their opponent, no negative vibes, no personal attacks on fighters or trainers. These two guys took a page from the NFL playbook and stayed positive. With the matches pretty even it was not difficult but you can turn to a fight on any weekend and no matter how good the bouts the guys on the mike seem to find a way to bash boxing. Fans, I can for sure tell you it wouldn't be allowed in any other business by any employer I have ever had.
Folks if you missed the broadcast you missed some pure boxing, old-fashioned color commentary and play by play by a future Hall of Fame trainer in Snowell, and some quick-witted humor from Fernandez.
Dining with this entire crew that Dana Pitcher has assembled was physically taxing, by the end of the evening it was as if I had gone thru a 5 hour tennis match, my head moving back and forth from Snowell, Fernandez, legendary matchmaker Peyton Sher, Alvin Topham, and Pitcher . More boxing knowledge sat at that table than any one man could hope to retain.
Dedicated to evenly matched bouts Pitcher will have his hands full, unfortunately, changing the current trend in this sport of building fighters without risking records. The declining pool of competent journeymen will eventually force a change in boxing’s mindset and Dana Pitcher Productions is on the cutting edge of the shift that will eventually have to happen.
If you missed the broadcast watch for the replay.
For the Byrd!
Several months ago, when we were treated to Chris Byrd and Williamson, I was positive that the less than exciting performance was due to the friendship between these two boxers.
After witnessing Chris Byrd’s performance losing the title to Wladimir, I feel that we may have seen the last of Byrd as a viable contender. Time seems to have caught up to a man that for several years was on the edge of something great but it just never seemed to materialize for Chris.
Gone was the hand speed, the quick defense, and the confidence we once saw.
Whatever the future holds for the Byrdman, this fan wishes him and his the best.
Cintron’s Return.
Kermit Cintron, who I have had the pleasure in interviewing on his climb to the top, then again after his stoppage by Margarito, looked very much unlike the Cintron of old versus David Estrada last week. Towards the end of the bout he showed us some of the old pop, but all in all it was not the sharp performance we are accustomed. Perhaps it will take another bout or two before the switch to Steward as trainer produces the same metamorphosis we have seen in Wladimir.
