HBO commentary is MUCH better than BoxNation

[Lester Tutor]

HBO version where?

[Redd Foxx]

Are you referring to Rawling with that last comment? It's sad that some people are like that.

Kovalev's performance was fine, not the best I've seen from him, but not bad.

Before the fight, I knew it would be difficult to get a stoppage against the elusive, crafty Chilemba (see my OP in the RBR thread) and that Sergey would need to be at his best to accomplish that.

I'm surprised that you were not aware Chilemba is a very good fighter. Didn't you see Chilemba-Lepikin, Chilemba-Alvarez and Chilemba-Bellew I?

I don't know which Rawling you refer to.

I still don't think Chilemba is great, having watched several of his fights. He happened to target Kovalev's weaknesses much better than I expected him to. He was clearly beat, but gave him more trouble than I've seen any of his recent opponents do. I have a new respect for Chilemba, but that doesn't mean I think he's a "very good fighter". He still has no power, doesn't assert his game, has bad defensive habits. He's gone up to "decent" in my book. Kovalev is what I would call 'very good' or even maybe 'great'.

Again, I don't see the need for everything to be black and white (so to speak) and the need to either love or hate fighters.

[The Hammer]

I don't know which Rawling you refer to.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=JOhn+Rawling&client=opera&hs=KQv&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiunPDLwe3NAhXLuB4KHWz8DjwQsAQINQ&biw=1152&bih=610#imgrc=ToAUVethVqPmFM%3A

Again, I don't see the need for everything to be black and white (so to speak) and the need to either love or hate fighters.

I think it's childish to expect boxers to be flawless superheros.

Kovalev is a human being, flesh and blood. He's not superman.

[Redd Foxx]

I think it's childish to expect boxers to be flawless superheros.

Kovalev is a human being, flesh and blood. He's not superman.

Refreshing to hear you say that. I'm a firm believer that if two people listen to each other's points of view, they can can usually find some points of agreement.
Kovalev is an outstanding boxer. We can speculate as to why he didn't look his usual self tonight (be it Chilemba was on, Kov was off, or other factors) but I think we can agree -hopefully- that he's better than the impression left tonight. Every man has his weaknesses. A sign of greatness is in how they deal with them and I fully expect him to show up much better on Nov 19th. I'm almost certain of it.

[b00g13man]

"I didn't like what I was hearing on boxnation, and HBO told me exactly what I wanted to hear, so HBO is better."

[////]

HBO commentary crew is continually vilified here for their dishonesty and bias in selling fighters they're trying to promote. But, when it's convenient, they can sure be your best friend, eh?

BoxNation were mostly split in their opinions. Between the two, one had to find something they agreed with, unless they were just looking to huff verbal ether...

Everything is continually vilified here though. Generally speaking HBO is seen as the flagship for boxing production.

[MDPopescu]

I just watched the HBO version of Kovalev-Chilemba.

Earlier today, I watched it live on Match TV. I tried BoxNation for awhile, but I was sickened by the ridiculous and misleading commentary by John Rawling and Barry Jones, so I went back to Match TV, even though my understanding of the Russian language is poor.

However, the team of Jim Lampley, Roy Jones and Harold Lederman tonight did an excellent job - they called the fight exactly the way it happened.

Tonight, listening to Roy Jones' insights and analytical commentary was very refreshing after the repetitive, boring, biased commentary of Rawling and Barry Jones.

Can't BoxNation find someone better than those two? There must be an ex-boxer who could replace Barry Jones as analyst, and a younger brighter blow-by-blow commentator to replace Rawling.

Do you have a link for the HBO fight commentary?

[BodiesInFlight]

You say that because you were obviously rooting against Kovalev, as those two BoxNation employees were. Let's be honest, some people just don't like Eastern European boxers.

The HBO commentary team was fair, and Roy Jones noticed a lot of stuff those BoxNation idiots missed.

The only HBO commentator I've ever disliked is biased fanboy Max Kellerman, but thankfully he wasn't on tonight.

Pure fanboy talk here.

[deathofaclown]

I've never really liked BoxNation commentary. It's a shame really because they pick up a lot of good international fights. It could be presented much better.

I don't mind Bunce as a host though, i know a few dislike him but he keeps the show moving well through the night.

[Redd Foxx]

Edit, video pulled.