Should we get rid of Commentators or have an option button so we don't hear them?

Universum are quite good with that. I watched their Kotelnik-Maidana fight - brilliant little scrap - with no commentary and a silent crowd; allowing you to hear clearly every blow that would land or miss.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFsRNyZTCbs[/ame]


The commentary muting is only worth it if the sounds inside the ring are enhanced. Don't fancy giving up the commentary for just a sea of crowd noises that drown everything else out.

 

It's quite a good idea actually. It would be useful, especially as commentary can sometimes change your perception of the fight that you're watching. Sometimes when you watch a fight with commentary on and then muted, it's like watching a different fight.

Be grateful you have the HBO broadcasts though...I had the misfortune of listening to Bob Sheridan during the Mayweather v Cotto fight. If you paid attention to his ramblings, Cotto barely landed a punch. It was such biased commentary that is was sickening.

Sheridan used to be good, but over the last few years he has been utter crap. I would have welcomed an option to turn him off, but keep the audio.

 

In most cases the commentary makes the fight more exciting, if it's a good commentator that is. I also like to hear other people's views on the fight.

But in some cases (like Floyd vs Cotto international broadcast) a mute button is VERY preferable. :yep

 

An option like that would be great but HBO would never do it. The commentary is there to make you think that certain fighters are greater than they really are, it's all about money and marketing.

 

Did you also have to bear the burden of listening to good old 'Colonel' Bob?

 

I watched the Rugby World Cup last year and they had an option to change commentary, its a pity the other guy was a cricket commentator.

 

Yep. I heard some crap and nuthuggery by commentators, but that was one of the worst :-(

 

i like tthe commentators myself. . but if i feel their was bias that could have subconsciously affected my scoring, i rewatch on mute.

 

Commentators are just an evolved form of announcers for radio in the glory days of boxing.

People listen to fights because there's no tv yet so they needed a blow by blow account.

In these times where there's HD video and slo-mo replays, don't you think we should just watch and listening to the action instead. All the inputs by the commentators are reserved before and after the fight.

 

If a fight is good, two-way action type fight, i think the announcers should remain silent, and let the action speak for itself. . . but when you have fights where each guy is popping like 20 jabs a round, and a few right hands, then i enjoy my commentators banter. . .


i don't know, overall, it just doesn't bother me. . . i like it more than i don't like it. lol i like lampley's enthusiastic expressions, juxtaposed with Steward's calmness. . . Then I like Roy Jones chiming in as well! Hahaha I even like ole Larry dropping a few metaphors on us, and his wisdom.

 

The networks for which this option would be most desirable are the ones least likely to institute it. Heaven help us if we can't hear Jim Lampley's histrionics, Harold Lederman's incoherent scoring, and Larry Merchant's rambling nonsense.

 

Yeah, good input.

If it gets boring and there's lull in action, then let them say **** that's even remotely boxing like boxer a is actually a good fisherman or something.

 

yap. . .

i mean, if you're really intensely watching a fight, and have been for a long time, the announcer's commentary really won't make the fight look any different to you. . most hardcore fans can see through commentary, and they know what's really going on. . .


also, one thing i remember from watching the dirrell/abraham fight in person, was the CONFUSION when something happens in the ring without commentary. . The crowd literally did not know what happened for a good 10 minutes - we all thought abraham won by KO until Dirrell's hand was raised. . . Lol me and my mom were a little nervous cause we thought the crowd was about to start rioting!!!