I'll go with what seems to be a consensus opinion - Don Dunphy is the GREATEST boxing commentator, with Al Bernstein being the greatest of the past 30 years or so. That said, I have a soft spot for Howard Cosell. He helped make fights into television events. And how many other commentators could get away with on-air questioning of their employer's choice to a fight?
Dunphy of course. His "oh my!" sent me 'atitter'. Cosell was great. Despite what many see as the lawyer, egomaniac turned boxing commentator nonsense, he truly loved the sport! So many great comments: "Down goes Fraza! Down goes Fraza!" When a fighter started getting cut up Howard always said he was becoming a "bloody, pulpy, mess". Watching Ellis-Patterson that Saturday Sept. 14th, 68 on WWOS and wanting my hero to become the only HW to get the title for the 3rd time. Jimmy hurt Floyd in the 3rd and I was a little concerned. 4th round: "Ellis's problem here is that, even should he win, he will not have been as impressive as many have warranted. Patterson on the attack now, we've seen the skills many times in the past, a good combination from Patterson, Ellis retreating, oh! Ellis cut over the right eye!!!" The Swedish crowd was going nuts! I was hopping all over the place! Sidebar: my mom used to talk about listening to the Louis fights on the radio with her sisters in the late 30's; can't remember the radio guy's name but I've always heard he was a great one. Good thread...
But aren't you getting commentator and ****yst confused? Also decribing the basic action is not quite so simple. It is an art just like boxing is. Buy Dunphy's book (if it is still in print) to see the meticulous preparation he did for a fight.
I don't know about the best, but for me the worst is Jim Watt. Something about that high pitched nasal whine reminds me of fingernails being s****ed down a blackboard. It's f%&*"ing horrible.