Larry Merchant set to leave HBO after 35 years?

[Saltzy]

Bring in Tarver now that Showtime won't let him broadcast because of steroid nonsense (who ****ing cares).

[Sweet Jones]

This move was long overdue on HBO's part. Merchant's increasingly cantankerous nature and insistence on carrying on personal beefs/feuds with certain fighters during the broadcast and interviews was a disgrace.

And for those waxing nostalgic about Merchant leaving, I'll ask the same question I always ask: what exactly new or interesting did you ever actually learn about the fight you were watching or even boxing itself when Merchant was in the booth? How did those 40+ years of boxing journalism improve the broadcast or give you a better understanding of boxing?

Good riddance.

[Chex31]

Originally Posted by dealt_with

35 years too late. Guy is a drunken idiot who knows nothing about the sport, always wanting to see a brawl. I have no idea how he's kept his job.

[PrinceN]

should have been shown the door years ago

[LoRd_inFamousX1]

Good riddens

[KERRIGAN]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

Bring in Tarver now that Showtime won't let him broadcast because of steroid nonsense (who ****ing cares).

It wasn't because of steroids, it was because he couldn't stop salivating over Carl Froch's crotch.

[LoRd_inFamousX1]

Originally Posted by Hermit

Throw in Kellerman and his 'people need to worship my opinions' and ya might have something.

And Jim Lampley sorry ass

[KERRIGAN]

It was time for Larry to go.

I think he ultimately wore out his welcome and maybe HBO were hanging on to him in the vain hope that Floyd vs Pac would get made.

Now that that fight is off the agenda, it is time Larry got put out to pasture.

And what is it with all the clueless bastards pumping for Bernstein?

[dealt_with]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

Bring in Tarver now that Showtime won't let him broadcast because of steroid nonsense (who ****ing cares).

Tarver and Jones on the same commentary team.. now that's entertainment

[Lampley]

I love and appreciate Larry's contributions over the years, but this is about five years overdo. He can't keep pace with the action anymore, and he doesn't follow the sport's ins and outs — bullshit as they are — nearly as authoritatively as Kellerman. Max is very good, actually.

And anyone hating on Lampley doesn't really understand Jim's job. You can't put an old fighter or trainer in the No. 1 position. Lampley is the best ever at directing the commentary. Would you like to have Bob Papa do the big fights, or bring back Fran Charles? Steve Albert? Who? Having said all that, I'll grudgingly agree that Jim is past-prime.

Roy is good as No. 3. Steward was my favorite, but Roy is fine. Big George was horrible and Lennox was even worse.

[KERRIGAN]

Originally Posted by Lampley

I love and appreciate Larry's contributions over the years, but this is about five years overdo. He can't keep pace with the action anymore, and he doesn't follow the sport's ins and outs — bullshit as they are — nearly as authoritatively as Kellerman. Max is very good, actually.

And anyone hating on Lampley doesn't really understand Jim's job. You can't put an old fighter or trainer in the No. 1 position. Lampley is the best ever at directing the commentary. Would you like to have Bob Papa do the big fights, or bring back Fran Charles? Steve Albert? Who? Having said all that, I'll grudgingly agree that Jim is past-prime.

Roy is good as No. 3. Steward was my favorite, but Roy is fine. Big George was horrible and Lennox was even worse.

This is an excellent summation of all the HBO commentary issues.