Howard Cosell`s Exit from Boxing....Your opinion?

I would argue he knew a lot about both sports. You don't sit ringside or walk on the field every week for decades and get to know all the participants personally and not know the nuances of the sport. I'd argue most fans didn't have a clue of the nuances going on behind the scenes at the networks, and a guy like Cosell had to go on camera, often alone, for more than an hour, and try not to step on too many toes (on either side). And, more often than not, he'd anger someone because you can't walk that tightrope alone.

Paulie Malignaggi knows all about boxing. He's been broadcasting - with a half-dozen people by his side - for years.

If you told him to cover boxing telecasts alone every week for a month, and interview everyone afterward, in no time at all he'd insult everyone on air and curl up in a ball and quit before the first month was out.

Fellow announcers provide A LOT of cover for people. You say something stupid and you can be quiet for a while and regroup. Or, if you're having an off night, you can let others fill time. You can't do that when you're on the mic alone.

 

There is a famous film out there of two West Texas ranchers in a barn with their shotguns and a TV, and when Cosell's face come on at the start of Monday Night Football, they both fired and blew up the TV.

 

Well, I guess that just leaves animals like us who continue to lap up the brutality here in this forum...celebrating that brutality that has led to so much misery and physical consequences, right Dubblechin?

 

For all Howard's faults and BS I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him calling a fight. More so when he had a real expert sitting next to him whispering facts in his ear lol. Only Tim Ryan and Gil Clancy were as enjoyable as Howard for me.

 

You're correct, this is the first time I've ever heard of this. Did the guy die there and then in the ring or later in hospital or what?

Makes me think the often maligned rule changes have proved effective but I don't know if stats support this. That said I remember an English heavyweight died just a few months back. Brutal sport at times either way.

 

As aggravating and pompous a jerk as Cosell could be, I'd take him over the Max Kellermans, the Lampleys, the Larry Merchants and all the silly ex-fighters who make asses of themselves...in other words, the modern scene.

 

Me too Robert, can you imagine how potentially boring the commentary during the 60's and 70's would be without Cosell?

 

I guarantee you the Cowboys weren't playing that night. ..they wouldn't miss a Cowboys game. Probably the Giants or Redskins..

 

Tim Ryan, Gil Clancy, and Sean O'Grady are also on my "like" list as commentators.

 

He was in a coma when they carried him out. They didn't have oxygen or anything. He died days later. There are photos of him on the canvas and being carried out of the ring with a blanket wrapped tightly around him.

 

Exactly.....LOL !!!

 

Enjoyed the big time excitement he brought to the telecasts as a kid but today find him uninformed and annoying.

 

Good riddance, he was as much a cancer on boxing coverage in his day as Larry Merchant was in more recent memory.

And every bit the sciolist blowhard who in fact didn't really KSAB in the least.

 

It wasn't information you wanted from Cosell, it was the color and atmosphere that he brought...like I said I'd take Cosell by himself over that team of babbling, egocentric idiots that you get with HBO and all other venues in recent times.