Larry Merchant set to leave HBO after 35 years?

[Antwuan Maxx]

From Kevin Iole's Twitter :

Saturday's fight will be last for Larry Merchant at HBO, story coming on @YahooSports

Steve Kim :

Ok, Larry Merchant made it clear to me, that he will still do some stuff for HBO Sports when called upon, but is also a 'free agent'

Folks, Larry Merchant may not be at HBO after SAt night, but he made it clear to me last week, he is NOT retiring.

L.Merchant was on his way to the airport and sounded very upbeat, he said,'Im not the retiring sort."

[randomwalk]

Originally Posted by Antwuan Maxx

From Kevin Iole's Twitter :

Good, he was awful in Pac-Marquez.

[Hatesrats]

Originally Posted by Antwuan Maxx

From Kevin Iole's Twitter :

End of an era.
(Wish he would take Lederman's blind ass w/him)

[pngo]

Thank god, he's been annoying me for a while now, I guess HBO finally realized that he can't do a good job anymore.

[m8te]

that's the end of an era for me. I have fond memories of larry going back to my childhood, watching fights on hbo. regardless what anyone says, he's one of the best ever in my opinion, always equipped with funny anecdotes and never afraid to ask the tough questions. this has obviously been a rough year for boxing, but hbo in particular has suffered, from a commentary perspective.

damn. i'm happy for larry though. a long, vibrant career in the books, now he can sit back and watch the fights from his couch.

[m8te]

repost

[Big Left Hook]

For me he offers nothing to the broadcast, I hope his replacement is good (I mean that with the most respect possible). I know its not realistic but I would love it to be Paulie. He (along with the rest of the commentary I thought) was terrible in the Trout fight, but he is typically a great pundit.

[janeschicken]

Originally Posted by m8te

that's the end of an era for me. I have fond memories of larry going back to my childhood, watching fights on hbo. regardless what anyone says, he's one of the best ever in my opinion, always equipped with funny anecdotes and never afraid to ask the tough questions. this has obviously been a rough year for boxing, but hbo in particular has suffered, from a commentary perspective.

damn. i'm happy for larry though. a long, vibrant career in the books, now he can sit back and watch the fights from his couch.

I totally agree with everything you said. As time wore on, though, those anecdotes were becoming fewer and farther between. Good decision if true.

[Hatesrats]

Originally Posted by Big Left Hook

For me he offers nothing to the broadcast, I hope his replacement is good (I mean that with the most respect possible). I know its not realistic but I would love it to be Paulie. He (along with the rest of the commentary I thought) was terrible in the Trout fight, but he is typically a great pundit.

[IMG]********thaboxingvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kellerman.jpg[/IMG]

[igor_otsky]

Larry's still planning to meet up with Angel Heredia. He's been planning to revive his youth from some 50 years ago, so he can come back at Floyd Mayweather Jr next year.

[bjl12]

Originally Posted by randomwalk

Good, he was awful in Pac-Marquez.

Originally Posted by Hatesrats

End of an era.
(Wish he would take Lederman's blind ass w/him)

Originally Posted by pngo

Thank god, he's been annoying me for a while now, I guess HBO finally realized that he can't do a good job anymore.

Can't agree more. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!

[Addie]

I often find myself disagreeing with the consensus.

I love Larry Merchant. For me, he has always demanded attention when he speaks. He doesn't always get it right whilst commentating on the action, no one ever has, but he often has something compelling and thought provoking to add before and after the event. A great character. The Larry Merchant Quote express is testament to that.

[SJS19]

Kellerman deserves his shot.

Paulie can cut his teeth on showtime, though it's Roy's spot he'd be looking at rather than Larry's.

One good thing is that Fat Dan will undoubtedly apply again, and hopefully get rejected, once again.

[m8te]

Originally Posted by janeschicken

I totally agree with everything you said. As time wore on, though, those anecdotes were becoming fewer and farther between. Good decision if true.

they became fewer and farther in between but still sharp when delivered. I agree that it's a good decision though. he's up there in age. that is 100 percent the reason why he's gotta go.

[PityTheFool]

Floyd flexing his out-of-the-ring muscles again?
I personally like Larry,but I don't have the perspective of regular HBO viewers.
But I fondly remember my first sight of Larry when I got a VHS copy of Leonard-Finch many moons ago.