Klitschko-Gomez: Opinion Gets In The Way of Analysis

[JakeNDaBox]

I guess I'm the only one that doesn't understand why Atlas should be sugar coating everything. If the division sucks, it sucks, tell it like it is. I think the idea that Atlas has it out for the brothers is a little weak. I didn't notice him bashing Vitali at all. I still want quotes backing that theory.

Nobody's asking him to sugarcoat anything. All that's asked of him is to comment on the action taking place in front of him. He failed miserably on Saturday night, and honestly sounded like a guy who would rather be watching the NCAA tournament than to have to call a boxing match.

And yes, the heavyweight division sucks. But he doesn't beat us over the head with this fact everytime a heavyweight fight airs on ESPN2. In fact, I guarantee that he curbs his hate by a considerable margin when Sam Peter and Eddie Chambers fight this Friday.

You can keep asking for quotes, but this will easily turn into give-you-an-inch, ask-for-a-mile. I already offered enough in my article. But for a condensed version, there was also:

- his twice referencing the Chris Byrd fight no later than the end of the third round, even though it had nothing to do with what's going on in 2009

- dismissing his brave showing against Lennox Lewis as a necessity more so than being indicative of his true character

- Kenny calls them the best heavyweights, Teddy replies "who else is out there"

- Kenny cites Vitali's age and only fighting for the 2nd time following a four-year hiatus, Atlas immediately counters that Gomez is 35.

- Both Kenny and Atlas claimed beforehand that the Peter fight was potentially an optical illusion, that this fight would be more telling. Yet by fight's end, Gomez was reduced to "a smaller fighter most of his career" and who along with Peter "was made to order for Klitschko to look good against."

But again, this Friday will be more telling.

If Teddy comes in with the same disdain for the heavyweight division as a whole, I'll gladly come back and praise his consistency. But to date, I've never heard him speak out as much against the division as was the case Saturday evening.

[ИATAS]

I don't mind Atlas most of the time but he was pretty annoying that night. Especially when he started talking about real estate and how Vitali needs to charge Gomez not in dollars but in punches!! lmao, shut the hell up Atlas, god his analogies are ******ed some times and he'll just go on and on with. Ok Teddy, we got it!

[dans]

Nobody's asking him to sugarcoat anything. All that's asked of him is to comment on the action taking place in front of him. He failed miserably on Saturday night, and honestly sounded like a guy who would rather be watching the NCAA tournament than to have to call a boxing match.

And yes, the heavyweight division sucks. But he doesn't beat us over the head with this fact everytime a heavyweight fight airs on ESPN2. In fact, I guarantee that he curbs his hate by a considerable margin when Sam Peter and Eddie Chambers fight this Friday.

You can keep asking for quotes, but this will easily turn into give-you-an-inch, ask-for-a-mile. I already offered enough in my article. But for a condensed version, there was also:

- his twice referencing the Chris Byrd fight no later than the end of the third round, even though it had nothing to do with what's going on in 2009

- dismissing his brave showing against Lennox Lewis as a necessity more so than being indicative of his true character

- Kenny calls them the best heavyweights, Teddy replies "who else is out there"

- Kenny cites Vitali's age and only fighting for the 2nd time following a four-year hiatus, Atlas immediately counters that Gomez is 35.

- Both Kenny and Atlas claimed beforehand that the Peter fight was potentially an optical illusion, that this fight would be more telling. Yet by fight's end, Gomez was reduced to "a smaller fighter most of his career" and who along with Peter "was made to order for Klitschko to look good against."

But again, this Friday will be more telling.

If Teddy comes in with the same disdain for the heavyweight division as a whole, I'll gladly come back and praise his consistency. But to date, I've never heard him speak out as much against the division as was the case Saturday evening.

Who wouldn't rather watch March Madness then this telecast?

Let's stay with basketball for a second. I compare the brothers to a team like Memphis. Yes Memphis is a very good team. Yes they've dominated their conference (heavyweight division). But why wouldn't someone be scepticle of their true greatness if they haven't played anyone great to measure up against? Listen, personally I think Wlad and Vitali are both great heavyweights and would've done well in any era. But to say that Atlas is being biased and not doing his job, because he mentions "Who else is out there" and what not is wrong IMO.

Yes, we will wait until Friday to see, but I guarentee you won't get the same talk for one reason. Neither of those guys is a heavyweight champion and both have proven that they're probably not the guy. What Atlas did was question the validity of Vitali as a great heavyweight champion, which to me is completely understandable.

[JakeNDaBox]

Who wouldn't rather watch March Madness then this telecast?

Considering the fact that Atlas accepted a paycheck to call this fight, I'd say he needs to be held to a separate standard from those at home with the option to watch ESPN Classic/ESPN2, or CBS.

Let's stay with basketball for a second. I compare the brothers to a team like Memphis. Yes Memphis is a very good team. Yes they've dominated their conference (heavyweight division). But why wouldn't someone be scepticle of their true greatness if they haven't played anyone great to measure up against? Listen, personally I think Wlad and Vitali are both great heavyweights and would've done well in any era. But to say that Atlas is being biased and not doing his job, because he mentions "Who else is out there" and what not is wrong IMO.

To mention it is fine. To beat us over the head with it all night wreaks of a personal agenda. And that said, so long as Memphis keeps winning, the hate decreases.

Teddy can hold Vitali and Wlad to a higher standard, it's to be expected. But at least acknowledge that you're doing so because you recognize them as the best. If you think they're ****, then simply compare them to the rest of the division, and rank accordingly.

That's where Kenny was going toward the end of the broadcast, and Teddy could barely form a complete sentence without almost apologetically acknowledging that it's a very short list of worthy foes remaining.

Yes, we will wait until Friday to see, but I guarentee you won't get the same talk for one reason. Neither of those guys is a heavyweight champion and both have proven that they're probably not the guy. What Atlas did was question the validity of Vitali as a great heavyweight champion, which to me is completely understandable.

I call bull****. Teddy needs to **** on this fight the same way he did on last weekend's. This one carries the label of title eliminator, and you know that Tessitore will wear the corporate blazer in addressing this point. So the moment he does, I expect Teddy to be all up in his **** about it the same way he shot back at Kenny anytime the slightest bit of praise was thrown Vitali's way.

[Dave Rado]

Oh no! Why oh why did boxingscene publish this article? Now, Klit fanboys are gonna have an "I told you so" field day with this. They're gonna feel so validated now.

The tone of this article was anti-Atlas. What is he supposed to do? Lie and say the Heavyweight Division is the best it's been in years? Get super excited every time either fighter landed a paw? Point out that Vitali seemed gassed and was breathing out of his mouth in the middle rounds?

And by the way, any color commentator is there to give his opinion.

A colour commentator should give proper analysis, not just vent his prejudices. I can go to the bar to hear people vent their prejudices any day of the week, for free. I expect a paid commentator to express informed opinions based on serious analysis, expertise and knowledge, not to just hear someone spout off. I expect to gain insight from listening to them. Norman Mailer and Bert Sugar are good examples of how to be colourful while still showing you possess a brain.

There is a huge difference between expressing opinions and being opinionated.

[The Hammer]

Teddy Atlas reminds me of Archie Bunker, with his prejudice against foreigners - even his accent is similar.

[Davros?]

Teddy Atlas reminds me of Archie Bunker, with his prejudice against foreigners - even his accent is similar.

I thought Atlas was excellent in the Vitali vs Gomez fight.

[danthepup]

Thanks Jake. The broadcast team can really make a fight, or in this case, ruin one. If Lamply and Merchant (or even Kellerman) had been calling this fight, most of the negative press that followed it would not exist. Brian tried his best to show enthusiasm and make the event, but Teddy came in with a negative agenda and there was going to be no pleasing him. Its like the difference between and North American broadcast team calling a soccer match, and a South American one. If you love the sport and have enthusiasm, you focus on the good parts and your audience will too, and everone wins. If you complain about the glass being half empty the whole fight, then you not only miss what you are getting, you deprive the audience of it as well. Teddy like to talk about how great the fans are, but week after week he deprives them of so much with his negativity and his personal agendas.

[poontango]

Good article Donovan...

But I covered Atlas asinine blow by blow weeks ago...

http://fightscribe.blogspot.com/2009/03/teddy-atlas-goes-soft.html

[Pullcounter]

teddy is just telling it like it is.

if a casual fan watched the fight they would be turned off. it was a really sloppy ugly fight.