ESPN and boxing

[rj_ct]

Say what you want about ESPN not covering boxing enough- I think both the sport of boxing and ESPN are both a little to blame for that- but ESPN has the best boxing broadcasts of any station or network, including HBO and Showtime.

The premium channels get bigger fights obviously, but the actual coverage isn't anywhere close to as good. I feel like, for the most part, everyone at HBO is a character more than a broadcaster. Showtime's coverage is less gimicky, but you'll never hear about a big fight coming up on HBO during a Showtime broadcast, and vice versa.

The in-studio analysis and guest analysts, coupled with Joe and Teddy's calls make ESPN the best IMO. More professional and neutral than anywhere else, at least in this country.

[Guest]

Say what you want about ESPN not covering boxing enough- I think both the sport of boxing and ESPN are both a little to blame for that- but ESPN has the best boxing broadcasts of any station or network, including HBO and Showtime.

The premium channels get bigger fights obviously, but the actual coverage isn't anywhere close to as good. I feel like, for the most part, everyone at HBO is a character more than a broadcaster. Showtime's coverage is less gimicky, but you'll never hear about a big fight coming up on HBO during a Showtime broadcast, and vice versa.

The in-studio analysis and guest analysts, coupled with Joe and Teddy's calls make ESPN the best IMO. More professional and neutral than anywhere else, at least in this country.

I just wish they gave them the budget to make bigger fights.
And maybe mix up the broadcasters a bit more.

Like have a third man doing color for fights to get more opinions than just Teddy's.

[-Mustang-]

true ... but i hate Teddy Atlas and his ****** examples

[Kevin Malone]

The 2 things I hate about ESPN are "The Bottom Line" and commercials (especially those that cut into the action), but that comes with everything on ESPN.

(Tecate. Con Caracter)

For how low budget Friday Night Fights are their coverage is excellent. Brian Kenny, guests, Joe and Teddy, everything about them is solid. Friday Night Fights is the only nationally available show that covers boxing news too.

(Emmitt, you're beard is weird. You're 'stache is trash.)

I just wish they'd have a larger budget to show some bigger name fighters more often.

(Get in the zone. AutoZone.)

[MJ406]

talking about directly above me, but agreed, I am a fan of the Friday Night coverage as well and like their coverage for the most part (minus Atlas at times) but more explained in my second response.

[rj_ct]

The 2 things I hate about ESPN are "The Bottom Line" and commercials (especially those that cut into the action), but that comes with everything on ESPN.

(Tecate. Con Caracter)

For how low budget Friday Night Fights are their coverage is excellent. Brian Kenny, guests, Joe and Teddy, everything about them is solid. Friday Night Fights is the only nationally available show that covers boxing news too.

(Emmitt, you're beard is weird. You're 'stache is trash.)

I just wish they'd have a larger budget to show some bigger name fighters more often.

(Get in the zone. AutoZone.)

Well, anything you watch has commercials. And there's usually only one commercial between rounds, which isn't bad. I love football, but all TV timeouts and commercials make the NFL almost unbearable to watch. I don't think FNF is anywhere close to that.

Agreed they should have bigger fights, though I don't see them ever moving in that direction until boxing cleans itself up.

[verybuff]

I agree with everone. I wish other networks should follow. I can't stand HBO's commentaters. I know exactly what they are going to say every fight. Showtime is less gimmicky but has some low budget production. One thing I cant stand is when they show previous or classic fights. All they do is reshow the exact same coverage of the fights with the undercards. It would be much better if they follow HBO which cuts straight to the main event on classic fights. Of course I hate the commercials in Espn. But Espn has more of the total package without the big named fighters.

[Guest]

Well, anything you watch has commercials. And there's usually only one commercial between rounds, which isn't bad. I love football, but all TV timeouts and commercials make the NFL almost unbearable to watch. I don't think FNF is anywhere close to that.

Agreed they should have bigger fights, though I don't see them ever moving in that direction until boxing cleans itself up.

They did a nice ppv a while back with Margarito-Cintron, Brock-McCline.

It would be nice if they could do that type thing again and pick up some fights the majors miss.

[MJ406]

Say what you want about ESPN not covering boxing enough- I think both the sport of boxing and ESPN are both a little to blame for that-

The premium channels get bigger fights obviously, but the actual coverage isn't anywhere close to as good. I feel like, for the most part, everyone at HBO is a character more than a broadcaster. Showtime's coverage is less gimicky, but you'll never hear about a big fight coming up on HBO during a Showtime broadcast, and vice versa.

The in-studio analysis and guest analysts, coupled with Joe and Teddy's calls make ESPN the best IMO. More professional and neutral than anywhere else, at least in this country.

#1. Well I don't really know why boxing isn't on the networks (money issues) and you can't really blame ESPN for its lack of cover on pro boxing when you see how many other pro sports they (ESPN) cover

#2. actual coverage, as far as ESPN being better is a matter of opinion, but I do feel the ESPN commentators are more objective and tend to have bias that is less strong. I did kinda notice that in regards to HBO and feel they sometimes try to toot their own horn a bit much

#3. I am a fan of the in studio analysis as well as it def gives a different perspective to the show. But I wouldn't say Teddy's calls make it so (more on that to come)

true ... but i hate Teddy Atlas and his ****** examples

yeah really, sometimes he should just keep it simple and stick to boxing. take the Mack-Johnson pre fight for example. While the "fight plan" before big fights is a good idea IMO Teddy doesn't need to bring in cross sport analogies such as sacking the QB or Blitzing .. because it takes away the effectiveness

for example in the fight last night, instead of mentioning Johnson needing to blitz the opponent

why not just state that Glenn's keys to the fight are to put pressure on Mack, land body shots and cut off the ring (something along those lines)

IMO ^ that's a lot more effective and to the point.

another note that I'd like to bring up is that maybe ESPN does so well with boxing because they have less to work with. They don't have the build ups of say a 24/7 TV show or weeks of highlight reel type shows to back their fights

so compared to all the flash + substance of a premium channel that shows boxing, ESPN is more to the point and the fights hype themselves

**1 more point I'd like to bring up in my next post that supports the above.

[mathed]

The 2 things I hate about ESPN are "The Bottom Line" and commercials (especially those that cut into the action), but that comes with everything on ESPN.

(Tecate. Con Caracter)

For how low budget Friday Night Fights are their coverage is excellent. Brian Kenny, guests, Joe and Teddy, everything about them is solid. Friday Night Fights is the only nationally available show that covers boxing news too.

(Emmitt, you're beard is weird. You're 'stache is trash.)

I just wish they'd have a larger budget to show some bigger name fighters more often.

(Get in the zone. AutoZone.)

LOL, this is what I hate, trying to record the fights on dvd sucks having to avoid all the commercials.