Is Larry Merchant the greatest commentator in recent boxing history?

Ryan & Clancy
Cosell
Keith Jackson..although not a real boxing guy had a great voice.
Barry Tompkins
Bernstein
Younger Merchant although I still would have taken the older version over that cheerleading idiot Kellerman.
Dave Bontempo

 

Especially Ryan and Clancy. Great post Robert!

 

Chris Schenkle was, like Jackson, a fish out of water when he called boxing but he had a very conversational way that could carry you through 10 rounds nicely even though he wasn’t an expert.

 

I like Don Dumphy, Cosell, Marv Albert and the fight doctor, Clancy and Tim Ryan plus Barry Tompkins. Merchant is good though too. I am not a fan of Lampley.

 

Yes

 

Exactly

 

Do any of these guys have books out? Besides Cosell? I bet any one of them would have great behind-the-scenes stories.

I just did a quick Amazon check and saw that Don Dunphy wrote a book called "Don Dunphy at Ringside." Looks like Merchant wrote one in 1975 called "Ringside Seat at the Circus." Has anyone read them?

 

No. He was extremely long winded and liked to throw out big words to sound intelligent. It was appropriate at Wimbledon. But, for Boxing it didn't fit. Most boxing fans are working class stiffs who don't need to hear a bunch of BS.

 

Yes. Bernstein is obviously extremely intelligent. But, unlike Merchant, he didn't seem to be putting on airs. And, he seemed to know more about the technical aspect of Boxing.

 

I read Dunphys book when it first came out maybe 20 + yrs ago. I remember I though it was ok. Bernstein has a book out.

 

I’ve met Al a few times and he’s the nicest person you could ever ask to meet. Actually had a cup of coffee with him once before an ESPN show (in the afternoon) in the 1990s because he wanted to pick my brain about a local guy on the undercard so he could be best prepared.

 

I get that vibe from him. Seems like a totally genuine man and you just proved it. Awsome story.

 

Merchant was great. Not everyone likes his style, but he didn't stand for BS and had a way of pulling all sorts of stuff into a boxing frame.