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HBO:
Lennox Lewis: Lewis is a guy who brings great credentials, elocution, and dignity to his craft. But to be honest, he "definitely" should take a couple classes in broadcasting. Not to say that he's bad, because he provides great insight into bouts. But how many times do we have to hear "definitely?
Grade: B-
Larry Merchant: For all the people that hate him, he's one of the best to ever do it. He is confrontational, bordering on controversial at times, but doesn't do it in an overbearing way like a guy I will mention later. His literary sense and historical perspective brings alot of style and drama to the telecasts.
Grade: A
Jim Lampley: Even with the way things have gone for him out of the spotlight of late, one thing that can't be denied is his ability to bring flair and panache to his broadcasts. His ring intellect, at times, can be off. He misses things that I have no idea why he does such. I used to defend him because things happen at ringside, but seeing the fights up close like I do, I don't know how he makes certain calls. Nonetheless, he's a truly great commentator, even if he will never take Bert Sugar's job.
Grade: A-
Showtime
Steve Albert: What can I say about him that hasn't yet been said of Marv Albert? He bites. I find his voice to be distracting and he isn't exactly Bert Sugar himself either. I dunno, he just takes me out of the show to be honest. When he jumped on his soapbox to exclaim "Israel Vasquez Quit!" after the fight with Marquez, he looked like he needed a headline.
Grade: C
Al Bernstein: Al is one of the truly underrated broadcast guys in the sport. He really knows his stuff, no doubt about it. A true historian and great offseason pickup for Showtime in 2003, he brings credability to the Showtime shows. Of course, there is a reason he was dropped by ESPN, and that's because he's not as dynamic a personality as Max Kellerman, who brings youth and exuberance to his performances. But if you want to learn something about the sport, listen to this guy.
Grade: A-
Jim Gray: If you didn't have enough reason to dislike the guy from watching the way he disrespects boxers on Showtime, do you remember when they had the All-Century Baseball team and Pete Rose, who is banned from baseball, was allowed to show up anyways? Well, as Rose took in his well-deserved ovation, Jim Gray approached him, put a mic in his face, and asked "So Pete, did you bet on baseball?" Just a tasteless guy all around. I was very upset with him that night, and every other night I see him trying to act superior to the fighters in the ring. If Gray wants to be superior to the fighters, tell him to throw on some gloves and get himself a mouthpiece.
Grade: D
Lennox Lewis: Lewis is a guy who brings great credentials, elocution, and dignity to his craft. But to be honest, he "definitely" should take a couple classes in broadcasting. Not to say that he's bad, because he provides great insight into bouts. But how many times do we have to hear "definitely?
Grade: B-
Larry Merchant: For all the people that hate him, he's one of the best to ever do it. He is confrontational, bordering on controversial at times, but doesn't do it in an overbearing way like a guy I will mention later. His literary sense and historical perspective brings alot of style and drama to the telecasts.
Grade: A
Jim Lampley: Even with the way things have gone for him out of the spotlight of late, one thing that can't be denied is his ability to bring flair and panache to his broadcasts. His ring intellect, at times, can be off. He misses things that I have no idea why he does such. I used to defend him because things happen at ringside, but seeing the fights up close like I do, I don't know how he makes certain calls. Nonetheless, he's a truly great commentator, even if he will never take Bert Sugar's job.
Grade: A-
Showtime
Steve Albert: What can I say about him that hasn't yet been said of Marv Albert? He bites. I find his voice to be distracting and he isn't exactly Bert Sugar himself either. I dunno, he just takes me out of the show to be honest. When he jumped on his soapbox to exclaim "Israel Vasquez Quit!" after the fight with Marquez, he looked like he needed a headline.
Grade: C
Al Bernstein: Al is one of the truly underrated broadcast guys in the sport. He really knows his stuff, no doubt about it. A true historian and great offseason pickup for Showtime in 2003, he brings credability to the Showtime shows. Of course, there is a reason he was dropped by ESPN, and that's because he's not as dynamic a personality as Max Kellerman, who brings youth and exuberance to his performances. But if you want to learn something about the sport, listen to this guy.
Grade: A-
Jim Gray: If you didn't have enough reason to dislike the guy from watching the way he disrespects boxers on Showtime, do you remember when they had the All-Century Baseball team and Pete Rose, who is banned from baseball, was allowed to show up anyways? Well, as Rose took in his well-deserved ovation, Jim Gray approached him, put a mic in his face, and asked "So Pete, did you bet on baseball?" Just a tasteless guy all around. I was very upset with him that night, and every other night I see him trying to act superior to the fighters in the ring. If Gray wants to be superior to the fighters, tell him to throw on some gloves and get himself a mouthpiece.
Grade: D
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