Who's the greatest boxing commentator of all time

There are already some really great mentions...Ill add Emanuel Steward

 

This.
Great shout Sir.

 

Jim Lampley

 

Gil Clancy was so good …that you could actually learn from listening to him

 

Howard Cosell deserves a mention…the man was good at his job.

 

As already mentioned on here, Don Dunphy.

 

Since Keith Jackson hasn't been mentioned, I'll do so.

 

I guess like fighters, commentators also have their primes and sub par performances otherwise.

Once they’ve been established as a foremost expert, some try a little bit too hard with their conceited analyses and conclusions.

I think it was during Leonard v Duran 3 when Gil Clancy seemed predisposed to contradict everything Marvin Hagler said.

Never mind that Hagler was on the money with a number of his observations and that it was only Marvin who (in real time) identified that it was Duran punch that split Ray’s eye - while the other pair were adamant it was a head clash, adamant until they saw the slo mo replay…….

Variety is the spice of life. I’ve liked a lot of commentators on certain calls - but not anyone one commentator on every call.

Watching old fights, back in the late 50s/60s, I found Jack Drees to be a very balanced and astute announcer.

There were also one off calls that, imo, were worthy of the Iconic fights they covered - eg Steve Ellis on Ali-Liston 1 and Bob Sheridan for his calls on both the Ali-Foreman fight and Tyson-Douglas fight.

Suffice to say, how often has Howard Cosell’s memorable “Down goes Frazier” been repeated? - even Howard himself said it 3 times himself as if knowing in advance it would take hold in the publics imagination forever more.

Though I haven’t heard them as often. I’ve very much enjoyed calls by Harry Carpenter and Reg Gutteridge.

Not a fan of Jim Lamp Post - but his hair was always perfect, so I have to give him that.

Merchant was okay - though his lucid moments became fewer and farther between as age and alcohol took its toll (haha).

I could even enjoy Larry’s Grumpy Old Man moments.

Moments like, 1) talking up the significance and quality of National Anthems and then absolutely sh*tting on the one that was being played in that moment, 2) shoving that camera shot bomber guy away at the expense of his carefully coiffured hair and 3) his “younger” Merchant threat toward Mayweather. They were all hilarious.

 

Hi Buddy.
Good call, only slight issue throughout his illustrious career, general rule was that commentators were supposed to stay, in the main unbiased, which was not the case in the Cooper/Bugner fight, " how can you take the title like that " amongst others , he leaned heavily in Coopers favour during the fight also, that said , he was part of my upbringing in this sport, and he was polite and to the point, much to be admired.
I also have ( or did have ) huge respect for Jim Watt, no ex fighter since, has I believe shown such nuance and foresight behind the mic. not a great admirer of Spencer Oliver, over uses the word " great " thought that Reg Gutteridge was a breath of fresh air, with his quite witty asides, on the Eubank entrance " the ego has landed " etc, over the pond, Clancy, Steward, thinking I liked Sean O,Grady as well.
nice to chat matey, stay safe.

 

Fair point Mike regarding the Bugner/Cooper fight.Also Harry had a soft spot for Ali

 

I always liked Reg Gutteridge.

 

I liked Reg and Jim "he's got a very sound chin" Watt too. A great team. Harry Carpenter was good but I preferred Reg as a commentator and Harry as a presenter. I liked Harry's interviews with Tyson back in the late 80s, talking about history of the heavyweight title. I quite liked Ian Darke too.

Harry came out with the classic: "This boxer is doing what is expected of him, bleeding from his nose" but could be overly biased (Bruno) and came out with some strange opinions "This is so much better than their 1st fight" (during Ali-Frazier II).

 

The legendary Don Dunphy, he goes back all the way, he is very impartial.