The lack of impartiality of Sky Sports is sickening

Good point, that might be part of it.

I think Sky commentators show almost too much respect for the fighters at times. Its as though they constantly feel the need to kiss their ass. Listen, I dont advocate people being disrespectful to fighters, but I think when you show too much respect, and it starts getting misconstrued as favoritism or biased, I think there's a problem.

What annoys me, is that Sky are ignorant to the neutrals. Sky assume EVERY fight fan is only interested in listening to them champion British fighters, when actually, some people just wanna watch a bit of Boxing, so imagine how nauseating it can be if your one of those people, and they're constantly coming across with their biased agenda.

Adam Smith has been doing a good job since taking over, but this is something that needs addressing, as this is what's really letting the telecast down imo.

 

The same Spencer Oliver that said 2 weeks ago, that performance of McDonnel's was world class, and that therefore proved HE was world class?

:rofl

 

At the risk of being the odd one out. If a British boxer is fighting, I will always want him to win. Therefore I like the commentators to sound as though they too want the Brit to win. I wouldn't watch England play Germany at football and expect Tilsley or Mowbray to be telling me what the Germans need to do to win.

 

That's like saying people who dont subscribe to your theory can like it or lump it.

Why not look at it from the perspective of a person who doesn't have your philosophy, and just wants to settle down and watch a bit of Boxing with neutral commentary.

 

Well said that man.

 

Not really I was just making the point that in my opinion I quite like to feel the commentators are on the same side as me if it's a big international occasion, eg Froch v Ward. As long as it's honest and fair.

But your like it or lump it comment is interesting. Do you think we can make a difference. Do promoters and broadcasters read the forums and take on board opinions and concerns?

 

I think there is a nationalistic mindset when it comes to all sports commentating in the UK. This just follows on from what happens in football, rugby or cricket internationals, or what happens with individual sports like tennis.

Yes its ****, but i can see how this style of commentary might appeal to the casual viewer who knows **** all about the fighters but wants the 'british guy' to win.

 

ed robisons blog this week said he felt prescott won and cox should have been disqualifed.

 

Ed Robinson does a great job, his post fight interviews are always good :good

Nelson also says the same...http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,12936_7174594,00.html

I just hope though, that boxing here in Britain does not become known for home decisions. We pride ourselves on the standard of our judging and refereeing and I would hate those standards to slip. The last thing we want to do is become like Germany, where it was always said you need to knock the other guy out to get a draw.

 

Great thread. I imagine most Sky boxing employees wouldn't even watch the sport if there weren't any British fighters. I could just see one of them thinking 'Oh, Mayweather-Ortiz this weekend? I wonder if either of them are British? Oh... they're not. No point watching. It doesn't matter who wins'

They're completely blind to the idea that some of the people watching aren't automatically supporting the British guy, and in some cases will actually be more familiar with the foreign fighter

That was about a quadruple negative

I think this is probably the case too. Still, they don't have to start slagging off the local fighter. They could try talking up the foreign fighter instead

 

There is, and I think a lot of it is because we have been success starved, that said, I personally think there is a line that should be drawn between team sports like Football, and individual sports like Boxing.

I mean if the majority of your audience is nationalistic, which you would have to say most Brits are, then you are catering for what audience want for the most part, and are making money, but there are people out there who are not nationalistic that would rather not have the British biased shoved down their throat, and just wanna watch a bit of Boxing.

Its like Steve Bunce being biased, if most Brits are nationalistic, and are anti American, then they are gonna appreciate his style of journalism, him ragging on American's, but neutrals are gonna look at him and think, why? Other people look at Bunce like a hero, I look at him look a good guy who's a great Boxing personality, but a guy who is lacking credibility because of his bias.

Its almost like one big massive circle jerk between fans and Sky pundits, and the people who dont wanna join in can lump it.

Seriously, is the general sports-fan in this country that predictable? are we just lemmings falling for the same 3 card trick, promoters trying to push nationalism onto us so they can make more money? cause that is what promoters/fighters do it for, half them are fighting for themselves, not for Britain.

Someone like Haye cares about the coin, not the fans or doing it for Britain, which is why he gave us fights like the Harrison fight. Haye was able to milk his title for all it was worth due to nationalism, he took advantage of you fans cause he could.

 

Sky Sports have always been guilty of British bias as far as I can remember whether it's Boxing, the "best league in the world" spiel with the football and even other sports too I remember in the 90's when SS had the World Superbike coverage and it was all "Carl Fogarty this, Foggy that" or more recently with things like darts where they're bumming Phil Taylor.

At the end of the day yeah they are trying to sell a product to the masses who lap up the "rule britannia" bollocks and promoting an event based on the nationality plays a big part in that but I agree to people who don't really care about nationalism especially in individual sports such as boxing where they're representing themselves rather than a country it can be nauseating.

On another note is it just me or does anyone else notice the abundance of Sky Sports commentators and presenters who get really into that growly way of delivering their speech? Doesn't matter which sport it is either, tickles me all the time

 

qft^^

 

This is what makes it all the more hilarious when the british fighter gets twatted.

 

I take it the appalled Yank watches very, very little of his own country's television then?

I had to put up with US telly during the 2000 Olympics. They didn't give a f**k about anything unless there was an American involved.