RIP Gil Clancy One of the best trainers and ring announcers ever, and a dear friend to many people. A great shame. Least he lived a good life.
Just got back from the gym to an email by the IBRO. I got this 15 year old Salvadoran featherweight who is a budding swarmer. He's only 5'4 so I spent alot of time teaching him to deal with the foil to his style -the jab. Today he was practicing countering lazy left jabs with rights over the top. I was telling him about how Duran did it to the much taller Barkely in the first round ...and oddly enough, Gil Clancy, who was commentating with Al Bernstein came to mind: "Barkley is hoight! He-is-HOIGHT. We wuz just saying how Duran hasn't shown much power as a middleweight -there it wuz!" I can't think of a better analyst than Clancy. And he had great recall and the rare ability to tie in the present with the past.
I always loved his commentarys - you could tell he lived and breathed boxing - watched Hagler-Leonard the other day - never tire of watching my recording of that - not so much because of the fight but because Gil's commentary is just brilliant - brilliant - one of those guys that was for me just like part of the furniture of the boxing world - and one you wish would just be around for ever and ever - damn it - keep watching the fights Gil whereever you are :good
Always enjoyed his work with Tim Ryan (and occasionally SRL) on CBS. He developed and handled Griffith brilliantly. Excellent that he directly experienced the deserved respect and adulation of the fans during numerous induction weekends at Canastota. I will always remember this month in connection with his passing. Cheers Gil, for a long and eventful life well lived, and Godspeed.