Best boxer-turned commentator

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by AntonioMartin1, Nov 23, 2023.


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  1. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    There have been many famous boxers who also became boxing sportscasters....

    Off the top of my head:

    Roy Jones Jr.
    Santos Laciar
    Israel Vazquez
    Abner Mares
    Bobby Czyz
    Wilfredo Gomez
    Lennox Lewis
    Mark Breland
    George Foreman
    Muhammad Ali (for Foreman vs Norton in Caracas)
    Antonio Tarver
    Sugar Ray Leonard
    Jim Watt
    Kevin Kelley
    Paulie Malignaggi
    Erik Morales
    Julio Cesar Chavez
    Sean O Grady

    I think Salvador Sanchez would have been an excellent commentator given the chance, with his calm demeanor, smooth voice and knowledge. But we will never know.

    To me, there are five I love hearing on this list and those are Leonard for his smooth voice and knowledge, Foreman for his heavy, authorative voice and knowledge, O Grady for all his anecdotes (he once even spoke about the time he went to see Nightmare on Elm Street, in the middle of a fight, lol!) Czyz for his knowledge and way of explaining what was taking place, and Malignaggi for his youthful voice and attitude.

    Miguel Cotto would probably be good at it too, he'd have some of the qualities Sanchez would have, I think..

    Which one of the boxers-turned-commentators do you enjoy and did I miss anyone?
     
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 23, 2023
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 23, 2023
    #1
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  2. steve21

    steve21 Well-Known Member

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    Ken Norton always provided great commentary; he was there for the Thrilla, knew both Frazier and Ali well, but Don Dunphy kept going to Flip Wilson and Hugh O’Brien who knew Jack-all about what was happening.

    I heard Jerry Quarry giving commentary for several fights and found him very capable as well
     
    steve21, Nov 23, 2023
    steve21, Nov 23, 2023
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  3. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Sugar Ray Leonard
    Jim Watt
     
    Stevie G, Nov 23, 2023
    Stevie G, Nov 23, 2023
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  4. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Mollywhopper Full Member

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    All of them are crap.
     
    Mark Anthony, Nov 23, 2023
    Mark Anthony, Nov 23, 2023
    #4
  5. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Mollywhopper Full Member

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    The worst is Ritchie Woodhall.
     
    Mark Anthony, Nov 23, 2023
    Mark Anthony, Nov 23, 2023
    #5
  6. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Quarry, RJJ, SRL and Big George I’ve always enjoyed.

    I like Tarver too actually. It’s a pity he was taken off air.


    I love Lennox Lewis the fighter….the caller, not so much.
     
    young griffo, Nov 23, 2023
    young griffo, Nov 23, 2023
    #6
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  7. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Some are good...
     
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 23, 2023
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 23, 2023
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  8. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    As shitty as I thought Ward was to watch as a fighter, he is really a well spoken commentator.
     
    BCS8, Nov 23, 2023
    BCS8, Nov 23, 2023
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  9. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Roy was the best of them. Most are bad, but Roy is a exception.
     
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Nov 23, 2023
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Nov 23, 2023
    #9
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  10. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    When they are broadcasting only to make a buck it doesn’t work. Some guys don’t actually like to watch Boxing and become commentators just to make a buck and act like pretentious assholes because they fought.
     
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Nov 23, 2023
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Nov 23, 2023
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  11. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Bernard Hopkins and Marco Antonio Barrera have also commentated for fights as well.

    Out of all of them Roy Jones Jr is the best to listen to because he can be very informative and also fair. He is as also easy to listen to without coming across as unbearable.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Nov 23, 2023
    Flo_Raiden, Nov 23, 2023
    #11
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  12. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I like Sean O’Grady best of the lot but RJJ is very close in my estimation.
     
    Saintpat, Nov 23, 2023
    Saintpat, Nov 23, 2023
    #12
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  13. Peteychops

    Peteychops Member Full Member

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    I’ve heard that before, but he does have that humble old-timey quality about him? He’s certainly better than Froch. He’s too aggressive.
     
    Peteychops, Nov 23, 2023
    Peteychops, Nov 23, 2023
    #13
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  14. Peteychops

    Peteychops Member Full Member

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    Oops! I meant to post this in the Richie Woodhall criticism post.
     
    Peteychops, Nov 23, 2023
    Peteychops, Nov 23, 2023
    #14
  15. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I always look forward to George Foreman calling a fight.
     
    Dempsey1238, Nov 23, 2023
    Dempsey1238, Nov 23, 2023
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