I could be wrong, but I think he has been steadily weeded out of HBO productions. Apparently from what another poster told me, he's had some issues with broadcasting while being under the influence, ( don't know if its true ). Max Kellerman was brought in to more or less take over, I guess.
I am starting to wonder tha same thing. I like Max but "he aint no Larry Merchant" to use one of his quotes. I thought that they were sharing the broadcasting duties. I know that Max did the Cancun show last week, and he does most of the east coast shows, but he also did the show out in California so...um Originally I thought that they were spliting east coast west coast shows but I guess not. A massage to HBO : We love Larry Merchant and we think that he still has a few years left in the tank!!!!!! So what if he is a bit tipsy while on the job it's not like he was sluring his word or hitting on women on the air like Joe Namath people!!!!!
Larry's a Legend - but Max is good too. I don't think Larry is gone yet. He's suppose to be alternating duties between HBO's WBC & BAD - with Max. Let's see how the next couple of shows play out and hopefully we'll get his crazy ass!!
problem with max is that he has no chemisty whatsoever with lampley. and i think do to his annoying attitude max just wont sound good with anyone
It doesn't bother me one way or the other. I like Merchant, and have been listening to his commentary for over 20 years now, but like all people in every proffession, there comes a time, when its time to go. Lampley, Kellerman and Lewis make a nice trio in my opinion, but that's not what I find most important. The fight itself is what I'm interested in.
I think Merchant's only problem is when he has to broadcast when not under influence. :yep I remember before Klitschko vs Brock, he was giggling like a girl when Lampley casually told him "Larry.. pick up your microphone"
I thought this was old news? Anyway, Lampley has a great voice for commentating, but I'm not to keen on the substanbce behind it. Max is just a hyperactive little munchkin with little-to-know knowledge and full of opinion. Merchant is a drunkard, but a smart drunkard, who could still get his point across(however biased it may be) whilst 7 drinks deep. A class act for sure.
If hes not in for the following JMM-Pac fight this weekend, I think its safe to say he is gone. If he's not commentating, he will probably be in the spectators seats.
I hate to agree with that, sometimes he gets over excited but when a fight is truly exciting Lampley knows what to say and when to say it.