Antonio Tarver did an excellent job last night

[The Hammer]

The problem with that is that Bernstein was doing the blow by blow (replacing Nick Charles) while Tarver was in the "expert commentary" spot. IMO both Tarver and Bernstein did an outstanding job and with Farhood they are better than any HBO crew.

I think "expert commentary" tends to be of better quality when it comes from someone who's actually been involved in boxing as a fighter or a trainer.

Someone like Antonio Tarver who's had a lot of fights, as an amateur and as a pro, has better insight into what's going on than someone like Bernstein or Farhood who've never boxed, and it comes through in his commentary.

[The Hammer]

All the white fighters are mostly on HBO

Do you have a problem with a black man like Tarver becoming a boxing commentator with Showtime?

I think such jobs should go to whoever is best able to do it. Sadly, some who are not really very good but have connections in the high positions of Showtime, HBO, and ESPN have jobs as "expert" boxing analysts.

[warp1432]

Do you have a problem with a black man like Tarver becoming a boxing commentator with Showtime?

I think such jobs should go to whoever is best able to do it. Sadly, some who are not really very good but have connections in the high positions of Showtime, HBO, and ESPN have jobs as "expert" boxing analysts.

Yes I hate ****ing ******s commentating, that's why I like Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones' commentating.

Tarver is pretty good at commentating and so is Bernstein. I'm not sure what you have against Al. I can see why you don't like Atlas and Max, but I never got the Al Bernstein thing. It's not like he discredits your favorite fighters or says ****** things so...

[ADozenArrows]

The problem with that is that Bernstein was doing the blow by blow (replacing Nick Charles) while Tarver was in the "expert commentary" spot. IMO both Tarver and Bernstein did an outstanding job and with Farhood they are better than any HBO crew.

This.

I thought Tarver was great. He didn't make me /facepalm at all last night.

[Porter's Dad]

Do you have a problem with a black man like Tarver becoming a boxing commentator with Showtime?

A surreal moment in the continuing evolution of Tunney.

FWIW, I like Bernstein a lot and haven't witnessed any sort of decline recently, in the way, say, Lampley and (to a lesser extent) Merchant have, IMHO.

Showtime are overtaking HBO in terms of who I prefer. Lewis and Kellerman (who I used to like) are beginning to seriously grate, especially when together, and Lampley and Merchant seem to be going through the motions more often that not.

[street bully]

Tarver is actually the best spoken fighter I have seen commentating yet. he speaks just as good if not better than Most analysts.

[Scott9945]

I think "expert commentary" tends to be of better quality when it comes from someone who's actually been involved in boxing as a fighter or a trainer.

Someone like Antonio Tarver who's had a lot of fights, as an amateur and as a pro, has better insight into what's going on than someone like Bernstein or Farhood who've never boxed, and it comes through in his commentary.

My point was that Bernstein was doing the blow by blow, not the commentary. While Tarver did an excellent job as the third man, his lack of broadcasting experience would be badly exposed if he tried to do blow by blow. It's much more difficult than just throwing out random commentary or answering carefully set up questions.

[MANGLER]

Tarver is aight on the mic. Showtime would be weird without Bernstein tho.

[Glamour Puss]

I say bring Gus Johnson as Jim Lampley, keep Bernstein on as Merchant and have Tarver on as Lewis.
Then have Farhood on as the floater for the occasional fight.

That lineup owns HBO's.

[El Angel]

He did do pretty well last night.