Howard Cosell Quits Boxing 32 Years ago today

Howard was a good commentator. He also worked well with the fighters leading up to a big event. Sometimes I think he didn't like boxing, but you can bet your boots he wasn't a paid network cheerleader. He told you what he thought. In that sense he was very authentic.

I read Howard soured on life after his wife died.

 

Howard Cosell added excitement to the proceedings.

 

He came up with some original stuff, He coined the phrase in the Hagler - Antufermo fight that Vito had intestinal fortitude

 

Dunphy was great for the hardcore fan. He seemed to know his stuff. Howard was more personality driven and the average Wild World of Sports, NFL fans knew him. Howard could really build an atmosphere. Dunphy was dry and monotone. Style counts especially to the average sports fan. Of course, I grew up with Wide World of Sports and Cosell's commentary so the emotions he hit on during the broadcasts made an impact. I was probably too young at the time to see him as a pompous ass. I just liked the atmosphere. I have only watched Dunphy on replays. He retired just before I started watching boxing.

 

It's true Cobb was a mediocre fighter. Holmes was smart about picking and choosing his challengers. He generally avoided the best contenders. He worked with Don King but didn't let Don control who he fought. He knew Don couldn't wait to get rid of him and replace him as champ with one of this younger fighters like Dokes, Page, Tubbs, Witherspoon, Thomas, etc. Larry only fought Witherspoon, who was still rather green and almost beat him.

 

I agree with this. Cossell had a flair for the dramatic! IF the event was a dud, at least you had Cossell to entertain. Was Cossell pompous? Sure, but he also had a quick wit.

Dunphy was solid, I just didn't care for his voice

 

You don't really believe he coined that phrase, do you?

 

I wonder why ABC would take out there money piece.

 

I have to give of the worst to Ferdie Pacheco.

Don Dunphy knew how to let the action speak for itself. It rare find a commentator who understands that they are getting paid by the word and that often less is more.

 

He would have made a good announcer in the '80s. Now? I don't know if his mental faculties have held up over time. I have my doubts.

 

Jackson was good. Chris Schenkel was okay. Don Chevaier was okay. These guys were doing most of the boxing for ABC by the time Howard quit. ABC was unique at the time in that they were the only one of the three major U.S. networks that used only one announcer on each broadcast. I guess they were cheapskates. Alex Wallau was a behind the scenes executive for ABC and a few years after Howard quit, Alex started doing fight commentary with various play by play guys. I actually really liked Wallau as a commentator. He was no nonsense and had a good knowledge of the sport. His partner Al Trautwig had a good voice, but didn't know anything about boxing.