Who's the greatest boxing commentator of all time

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mirexxa, May 13, 2023.

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  1. mirexxa

    mirexxa Heavyweight Champ Full Member

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    In my opinion it's Jim Lampley. Real classy guy and his boxing commentary is top-notch
     
    mirexxa, May 13, 2023
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yeah he’s one of my favorite too. I also really liked Barry Tompkins
     
    mr. magoo, May 13, 2023
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  3. Wvboxer

    Wvboxer Active Member Full Member

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    There are so many I’ve enjoyed. Cosell wasn’t particularly good but he made a boxing match an event. I guess my top picks would be:

    Play by play:
    Barry Tompkins / Tim Ryan / Jim Lampley

    Color commentator: Gil Clancy / Al Bernstein
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2023
    Wvboxer, May 13, 2023
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  4. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    My favorite isn’t so because he offered great insight or drama. It felt like watching a fight with your favorite uncle in the living room: Chris Schenkel. He never talked down to you, was always pleasant and into the fight but didn’t try to make every punch seem like the fate of the planet rested on it.

    Al Bernstein is sort of like Schenkel that way but he obviously does a lot of homework and tries to inject observations more. But I still find him pleasant.

    But the best to ever call a fight IMO was a duo: Nobody better ever than Gil Clancy and Tim Ryan.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2023
    Saintpat, May 13, 2023
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  5. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Clancy and Ryan,,consumate professionals
     
    Reinhardt, May 13, 2023
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  6. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Hard to do better than a couple of micks taking about the fights, haha. It’s in their blood.
     
    Saintpat, May 13, 2023
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  7. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Always liked Bernstein. He did a really good job on the early ESPN cards. And he worked with lot of guys. how about Al on showtime/NBC instead of Pacheco? HBO instead of Merchant?

    The only thing he would not be good at was being a DKP house fighter guy like Sheridan.
     
    zadfrak, May 14, 2023
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  8. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran Full Member

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    Here in the UK my pick would be Harry Carpenter
     
    Noel857, May 14, 2023
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  9. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The GREAT Don Dunphy...his first fight broadcast on radio was Joe Louis vs Billy Conn in June 1941...and his last fight was Ray Leonard vs Tommy Hearns in September 1981...none better.
     
    RockyJim, May 14, 2023
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  10. Freddy Benson.

    Freddy Benson. Active Member Full Member

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    Reg Gutterridge too.
     
    Freddy Benson., May 14, 2023
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  11. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    Barry Tomkins was great he really had no agenda unlike Cossel, Bernstein and Lampley. Gil Clancy was the best trainer on the mic.
     
    SwarmingSlugger, May 14, 2023
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  12. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    My favorite without a doubt!!!!!
     
    robert ungurean, May 14, 2023
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  13. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Reg Gutteridge. Harry Carpenter was damn good too.
     
    Stevie G, May 14, 2023
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  14. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    Larry Merchant for me because he stood out from all the rest and could be very funny too
     
    dinovelvet, May 14, 2023
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  15. impacted

    impacted Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Here it was Harry Carpenter for me. He was an understated master of the profession, not afraid to stay quiet for periods and let the action speak for itself, unlike most today who feel the need to fill every second with inane noise. In America, Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant played their part in HBO producing the best boxing coverage in the world for almost 30 years.
     
    impacted, May 14, 2023
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