Fran Charles Being Replaced by HBO

[-Antonio-]

I think they should fire Lewis and hire Joe Mesi.

[Kball15]

Hmm...sounds to me like Fran had a more polished commentating voice. I don't mean to say he was good at commentating boxing fights but rather than his tonality and such were very professional. Probably why he moved on to the NFL.

This guy sounds like he is much more tuned in on the action, watching and seeing things as they happen, and would be a good addition to the action.

you guys are getting confused. he isnt commentating on football. he isnt nearly good enough.

he works for the NFL network. He talks on shows and stuff, kinda like on ESPN sportscenter.

Papa is much more tuned into the action, much better voice, much more excited, and overall just a ton better. Its hard to find a guy much worse then Charles. He blew

[marvdave]

Papa is certainly an upgrade from Fran.

I would like to see Rich Marotta get into the mix, the poor bastard has been relegated to "C" and "B" level fights forever, the guy knows his **** and is very good to listen to, I can only imagine how his rep would grow if he was given "A" level fighters to work with.

BINGO!!

I'll go one up on you. HBO should rehire Barry Tomkins and Make Tompkins and Marotta the team. If Lewis "definitely" has to stay on with those two, them so be it.

Having said that..I like Papa as well.

[marvdave]

also on the subject of commentators...anyone know whatever happened to Tim Ryan? He was a standout in the eighties and ninties for CBS. He usually teamed with Gil Clancy. Is he still vertical? or dirt napping?

That was a great team as well. I'm sure Clancy at his age is unable to do it anymore..he was struggling towards the end.

[Mech.]

I like the other Versus guy better.

[deuce_drop]

good fran ******, bob papa isnt bad i didn't mind him back in the day when he was on espn and he did a fair job on versus.


fran didn't seem like he knew anything about boxing and that it was just a job, plus he would mess things up and give out misinformation and have to correct himself all the time.


i liked it when lennox lewis called him out on calling him the former heavyweight champ, lewis said does a king stop being king does a president stop being called president, **** was funny.....

bob papa is a good call on filling in the spot.

[Njord777]

I think some people who hate Fran are getting things mixed up, too. That being that because he knew little about boxing, and seemed to be distanced from the action at times, that he is a bad commentator. No. He is a bad boxing commentator. His voice itself is not too bad, and he seems to have been "classically trained" as a sports commentator due to his tonality, etc. This Pappas guy sounds more raw, less refined, but with far superior boxing knowledge...thereby making him better suited for the job.

[jackedblackcop]

Fran Charles stepping down from BAD on HBO

he def be missed I was a great commentator where does he stand and compare to other legend .....you will be miss Fran great work

[Bucktown Beast]

he def be missed I was a great commentator where does he stand and compare to other legend .....you will be miss Fran great work

I must be in the Twilight Zone.

I think I did just read legend and Fran Charles in the same sentence...you are the only one whos gonna miss him.

[jackedblackcop]

he is some where between Ed Lover and Larry Merchant IMO.