SKY's fight night coverage in need of change?

I'd give Eubank his own channel.

If Nigel Benn was in the country I'd use him as a pundit as he talks sense, is liked by the majority of boxing fans and would be infinitely more entertaining than the current crop of pundits on Sky.

The best we can hope for on Sky short term is Moore and Rhodes being used more.

 

Maybe just maybe because I am right and my haters cant stand it? Discredit me all you want folks, like everyone on earth, we all get somethings wrong. But most of the time I'm right, or I'm proved right in time, whether you or I like it or not....and I can assure you, sometimes I hate it.

 

Self praise is **** praise.

 

Adam Smith should never been in front of the camera. Loves boxing no doubt but when people watch a boxing show they shouldn't expect to see some new labour politician on the screen. You don't need to be Tyson, but to discuss boxing you need to at least look like you could handle yourself.

Suprised by the comments about Showtime. There commentary is far far far more biased than anything Sky put out. You guys do realize the yanks live Skys coverage and hate showtime.

Its worth remembering we are not the target for Sky. They overlook the hardcore fan. We still watch BoxNation whos coverage gets shat on by Sky in almost every possible way.

 

Elaborate.

 

You, myself and the rest of this forum will watch boxing no matter how poor the presentation, commentary etc are. I watched Mosley v Cano with Spanish commentary on Saturday! Plus we will always complain about the coverage no matter what because were all a bunch of know it alls.

The Sky production is geared towards the casual fan. They don't have an in depth understanding of boxing so things need to be explained to then. Sky also need to promote the sport. Big fighters and fights up, hype them.

The fact you have people complaining about Froch getting to much exposure says it all now. When it comes to how a boxing should be produced for TV and promoted, we are the last peoples who opinion should count.

 

:huh thought you watched fights with the commentary on mute anyway

 

Agree with people shouting out Jamie Moore, guy's always fair and offers good insight.

Would like to see him get more gigs over Piper and McCrory.




EDIT: While we're at it can we have Paul Dempsey presenting and Ian Darke commentating too.

 

Cant help thinking you lads have been spoiled.All these ex champions on both SKY and Boxnation.Sometimes come across as talking a bit of daft,yes.But generally good,I reckon.Obviously we've all got our favourites.But many years ago you got Arry on the Beeb and Reg on the other side.Both knew their stuff but too much of that particular good thing COULD be boring.No ex pros.Must admit,I wish Malinaggi was over here to chat on one of them.Maybe can't outfight Broner,but certainly outtalks him.

 

Chin up mate, give it a few years and we'll have James DeGale dazzling us on the mic.

Something to look forward to eh?

 

Dave darts needs to go and be replaced by Darke, Halling needs to go and be replaced by commentator Darke, Piper needs to be replaced by Jamie moore those would be my immediate changes

 

The Butures Fright the Butures Chunky.

 

I don't speak Spanish so its effectively the same thing.

 

Yeah.When the old pals act of Johnny and Glen is replaced by Jimmy and Jud.Whod have thought it???

 

It is in need of a massive change, and has been for a long time. The biggest problem you have is that you have people sitting on the fence and scared to offer an opinion. For example, watch "the gloves are off: middleweights". Richie Woodhall was asked who would've won a fight between Calzaghe and Froch. He stayed on the fence. Why? Well he said it himself, Froch is his friend. Calzaghe was sat in the same room as him. What kind of "friend" would take offence at you giving an honest opinion? If I had friends like that, I would dump them. Because logically JC is a bad, bad match up for Froch and JC would've won an easy, unanimous decision. Can you imagine anyone on the sky panel saying it like that? It's an absolute ****ing joke. I've been critical of Colin Hart in the past, saying he comes across as a know it all twat, but I was wrong. Colin Hart actually offers an opinion. THAT is what Sky need first and foremost. I like McCrory, Piper, Nelson and Woodhall, they seem like really nice guys, proper gentleman, but they are bland as **** and I've never heard them offer a strong opinion or show passion (Nelson constantly interrupting everyone doesn't count).

I've made the comparison with Sky's cricket coverage before, which is top class. People like Hussein and Botham are never scared to tell it how it really is, so much so that some of the England squad members have had issues with it. They ask difficult questions, they slam the players when they perform poorly and they don't sit on the fence like pussies. The viewers do not give a **** about your friendship, just put your friendship aside for the duration of the show and tell us what you really think for **** sake. The cricket lot are also highly knowledgeable about the game and you just don't get that impression from some of the boxing pundits. They don't really seem like students of the game and resort to cliches too often.

People say you need to bring in fresh pundits, recently retired boxers. I agree but it's not that easy 'cause you don't just need someone who's knowledgeable, you need them to be well spoken. Again, if we go back to the cricket comparison, a lot of the pundits write columns for newspapers and know how to get their point across well. I remember having this discussion with dftaylor and he rightly pointed out that boxers usually come from working class backgrounds and therefore aren't the most articulate, unlike cricketers. This is the problem you have when trying to recruit younger guys (no elitist). Either that, or they have no charisma and are just boring to listen to (Calzaghe for example). Honestly, how many can you think of that have all the qualities required? I'm no fan of Haye but I think he did a great job as a pundit on boxnation for the Vitali/Chisora fight. THAT is the sort of person you need. Eubank is another guy I enjoy listening to. McGuigan is probably the best of the Sky lot at the moment.

As for commentary, Watt and Hailing are shocking. I'll say no more as I'll just go into a rage if I think about it anymore. Darke is good though. Presenters? Paul Dempsey is the man.