Was Howard Cossell a commentator in any of Ali's big fights?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by freelaw, Mar 4, 2013.


Page 1 of 2
  1. freelaw

    freelaw Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,143
    916
    Nov 17, 2007
    Cossell was head and shoulders above any boxing commentator of the 60's-70's I've heard, but I can't find any footage of Ali's biggest fights with his commentary. I'd appreciate it a lot if any of you guys could link me to any.

    The guy they chose for the thrilla in Manila (the version I watched) was amazingly boring. The one for the rumble in the jungle was decent, especially with Frazier's summaries in between rounds. But it wasn't Howard either........
     
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    #1
  2. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    25,131
    8,585
    Jul 17, 2009
    I think he did Muhammad's second fight with Jerry Quarry.
     
    Stevie G, Mar 4, 2013
    Stevie G, Mar 4, 2013
    #2
  3. Nonpareil

    Nonpareil New Member Full Member

    56
    3
    Jan 25, 2013
    Definitely did the second Spinks fight and at least one of the Nortons.

    I find Cosell incredibly irritating to be honest - a self-created character first, and a commentator second. He would pick and choose his favourites and then stick to them no matter what. Ditto for fighters he didn't like. He **** on Holmes constantly.
     
    Nonpareil, Mar 4, 2013
    Nonpareil, Mar 4, 2013
    #3
  4. freelaw

    freelaw Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,143
    916
    Nov 17, 2007
    I know he did a Bonavena fight but it looks like none of the giant fights sadly. He might have been a bit biased or something but you can't top the emotions he's put into what he was doing. He also actually did talk throughout the fight, mentioning many things leading up to it, connected with it etc.

    Nonpareil and Orriray, you don't want to tell me that you'd prefer "listening to" this dude rather than Cossell, do you?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anLujJQzjhg
     
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    #4
  5. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

    4,768
    26
    Sep 18, 2007
    Yet, when he was drunk, he tried to feel up the Easton Assasin.
     
    ThinBlack, Mar 4, 2013
    ThinBlack, Mar 4, 2013
    #5
  6. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,800
    11,421
    Aug 22, 2004
    Apparently he was just about the biggest egotistical piece of **** that ever walked. Thought he created Ali. Was inexcusably rude and dismissive to people.
     
    salsanchezfan, Mar 4, 2013
    salsanchezfan, Mar 4, 2013
    #6
  7. freelaw

    freelaw Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,143
    916
    Nov 17, 2007
    I've never haerd about that. Any examples? Footage or articles preferably..
     
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    #7
  8. prime

    prime BOX! Writing Champion Full Member

    2,564
    90
    Feb 27, 2006
    Cosell did Ali-Terrell.

    Yes, Howard was pompous, but boxing is entertainment. His crescendos of drama as a fight caller truly are second to none.

    I think Cosell was, by and large, respectful of fighters, though you got the idea he felt on an intellectual perch when interacting with them.

    His understanding of the sport was sound, though not great by any stretch.

    Truly weird stuff is Larry Holmes' revelation of Howard's sexual advances on Larry, grabbing his leg on two occasions. :admin
     
    prime, Mar 4, 2013
    prime, Mar 4, 2013
    #8
  9. Nonpareil

    Nonpareil New Member Full Member

    56
    3
    Jan 25, 2013
    "Arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff. I have been called all of these. Of course, I am". Kinda summed himself up really.

    Holmes' autobiography has plenty of material on the subject, including those odd stories about sexual advances.

    I actually don't mind Dunphy all that much, certainly no worse than Cosell was at any rate. Both had a similar nasal, deliberate delivery - Don just had less of an ego and didn't see himself as as much of a star as Howard did.
     
    Nonpareil, Mar 4, 2013
    Nonpareil, Mar 4, 2013
    #9
  10. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,800
    11,421
    Aug 22, 2004
    Alex Wallau. Lemme see what I can dig up......
     
    salsanchezfan, Mar 4, 2013
    salsanchezfan, Mar 4, 2013
    #10
  11. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,800
    11,421
    Aug 22, 2004
    salsanchezfan, Mar 4, 2013
    salsanchezfan, Mar 4, 2013
    #11
  12. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

    4,768
    26
    Sep 18, 2007
    Wonder if he felt up Leonard, too, that would really explain a lot.
     
    ThinBlack, Mar 4, 2013
    ThinBlack, Mar 4, 2013
    #12
  13. freelaw

    freelaw Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,143
    916
    Nov 17, 2007
    Thanks, salsanchezfan :good
     
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    freelaw, Mar 4, 2013
    #13
  14. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

    28,760
    84
    May 30, 2009
    they gave it to holmes!
     
    PetethePrince, Mar 4, 2013
    PetethePrince, Mar 4, 2013
    #14
  15. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

    28,760
    84
    May 30, 2009
    And yes, I much prefer Don Dunphy to Cosell. Dunphy's a legend. One can't deny Cosell's great call of Foreman-Frazier, however.
     
    PetethePrince, Mar 4, 2013
    PetethePrince, Mar 4, 2013
    #15
Page 1 of 2