Commentators: Kellerman vs. Merchant

[steptwome]

Could Max Kellerman fill the shoes of Larry Merchant? Why/Why not?

[ßringer]

No. Larry Merchant has been doing the commentary so long, and it so unique in terms of talent that it'd be impossible to replace him. There's only one Larry Merchant, but there are many just like Kellerman.

[Rhys79]

Kellerman Can't even come close to Larry, Larry Is my favorite commentator in any sport Max doesn't have the personality that larry does, Merchant rules!

[tredh]

Both have they're good and bad qualities. Both have favorite fighters and the let it show when commentating which I personally hate because I feel commentators are supposed to be unbiased. Merchant for instance talks about the supposed bad state that boxing is in. Yet all he does is complain when any fighter doesn't do what LARRY MERCHANT thinks they should do. What kind of **** is that? Merchant doesn't help boxing with his constant whining and complaining. If a person who is a casual fan watching a fight keeps on listening to Merchant complain and down grade the product why would that casual fan keep watching when a person with "so called" boxing knowledge is doing nothing but talking negatively about boxing? Kellerman is just to hyped sometimes and needs to calm down and not show favor so much and he'll be fine. I think Kellerman actually know more about the styles and nuiances of fighting than Larry Merchant does. I like the fact that Larry Merchant speaks how he feels but who the **** is he to down grade a fighter for not fighting the fight HE felt they should fight. To my knowledge fighting another persons fight isn't the best way to get a win.
So my answer is yes Max Kellerman can easily replace Larry Merchant. Larry Merchant isn't like Howard Cossell and shouldn't even mentioned with him to be honest.

[ßringer]

The difference between Kellerman and Merchant boils down to 2 key issues. Charisma, and longevity. It's impossible for me not to like Larry for the same reason it's hard for me not to like Jim, I grew up listening to them. Their voices are synnonymous with boxing.

[tredh]

The difference between Kellerman and Merchant boils down to 2 key issues. Charisma, and longevity. It's impossible for me not to like Larry for the same reason it's hard for me not to like Jim, I grew up listening to them. Their voices are synnonymous with boxing.

Listening to Larry Merchant for so long is why people feel you can't replace which is bull**** to me. But I would keep over Jim Lampley anyday. Jim Lampley is the worst ****ing commentator in all of sports and I have no idea why he hasn't been replaced yet. Oh yes I do its because he never says anything bad about the house fighter. Which is bull**** if the house fighter is losing or stinking the joint out then he should say so. Whats with Jim Lampley always calling the punches wrong either the punch didn't land and he says the punch did land or he says fighter A landed the punch when it was actually fighter B who landed the punch. Lampley is just horrible

[steptwome]

The difference between Kellerman and Merchant boils down to 2 key issues. Charisma, and longevity. It's impossible for me not to like Larry for the same reason it's hard for me not to like Jim, I grew up listening to them. Their voices are synnonymous with boxing.

Excellent points: He does have charisma and his voice is definitely synnonymous with boxing

[ßringer]

Listening to Larry Merchant for so long is why people feel you can't replace which is bull**** to me. But I would keep over Jim Lampley anyday. Jim Lampley is the worst ****ing commentator in all of sports and I have no idea why he hasn't been replaced yet. Oh yes I do its because he never says anything bad about the house fighter. Which is bull**** if the house fighter is losing or stinking the joint out then he should say so. Whats with Jim Lampley always calling the punches wrong either the punch didn't land and he says the punch did land or he says fighter A landed the punch when it was actually fighter B who landed the punch. Lampley is just horrible

Lampley always nuthugs HBO's current posterboys, no doubt. Merchant doesn't on the other hand, anytime Lampley goes too far with the nuthugging Larry usually brings him back to reality with some type of underhanded witty pun. A god example of that would be the way Lampley swung from Jermain Taylor's beanbag since '05 and Merchant brought up his uninspiring performances against Ouma and Spinks.

[tredh]

Lampley always nuthugs HBO's current posterboys, no doubt. Merchant doesn't on the other hand, anytime Lampley goes too far with the nuthugging Larry usually brings him back to reality with some type of underhanded witty pun. A god example of that would be the way Lampley swung from Jermain Taylor's beanbag since '05 and Merchant brought up his uninspiring performances against Ouma and Spinks.

True thats why I said Larry has some good qualities as a commentator I just feel he goes to far to often with his personal feelings to be commentator. I guess he got that way with his old age and constant drinking because he seems to be drunk a lot during broadcasts.
You know how it goes once you get old you get to say just about whatever out of your mouth and people give you a pass because of your age majority of the time.

[steptwome]

True thats why I said Larry has some good qualities as a commentator I just feel he goes to far to often with his personal feelings to be commentator. I guess he got that way with his old age and constant drinking because he seems to be drunk a lot during broadcasts.
You know how it goes once you get old you get to say just about whatever out of your mouth and people give you a pass because of your age majority of the time.

I guess this is why Larry always asks fighters the questions that most commentators are afraid to ask