There was a period in time when Leonard seemed to be commentating on all major fights. Just watcing Chavez-Rosario now. Leonard really talks about how Chavez makes Rosario miss, doubles up with any anything and makes him fight on the ropes. Really notices quite succinct things. Very good at analysing a fight. Thoughts
My favorite was his commentary in the Tyson-Biggs fight. He was timing and counting out the steps to Tyson's left hook. It was hilarious and accurate. I also like Roy and Big George. George drops some priceless boxing knowledge, usually about jabbing and body punching. My favorite was when he said something like "When you got nothing else to do, jab". Lennox was a real dope, though. I remember in Martinez-Cintron, Lennox was calling Martinez "that guy". Very annoying.
Interesting. I quiete liked Lewis although he wasen't the most charasmatic guy. Big George had his moments but I wasen't his biggest fan. I keep remember him saying how surprised Tito was when he saw the size of De La Hoya's shoulders- I mean come on Trinidad saw him the day before at the weigh in and surely watched his previous fights. He'll have known what he looked liked. Just seemed to me he talked for the sake of it. I also remember him claiming Oscar had a better jab than Ike Quartey atsch Oscar's jab is underated but come on Ike had a Larry Holmes jab.
Yeah, George was a goofball, but I also like that he and Roy really picked up on the mental side of boxing. In the Campbell-Casamayor fight, which was a pretty good scrap, he was talking about how Campbell will feel intimidated later in the fight because of Casamayor's muscular, conditioned legs and stamina. He was pretty much on the spot. I remember the George talking about de la Hoya's broads shoulders and Larry saying... "so what!?!?"
Yeah Roy is both charasmatic and very knowladagble (lol) about the sport. I always think he is going to say something daft but he is normally right on the mark with his comments. I think him and Jim Lampley interact better than Lampley does with Larry Merchant.
Its always good to have fighters or ex-fighters do the commentary because unlike most professional announcers, they actually understand boxing. I didn't like it. though, when Leonard refered to my man Cornelius-Boza Edwards as "Bozo" against Hector Camacho.
Ray actually became pretty influential at HBO boxing at one point. Very good co-commentator, it'd be good to have him back on there. Hard to beat Roy Jones Jr. in terms of fighters turned commentators though. Listening to him on Khan/Maidana was a pleasure. His insight is off the charts, he even forecasts things before they happen, even though some have a problem with his delivery.