Kellerman is FAR worse than both of them. At least these guys paid their dues and are qualified at what they do.
Lampley rules, obviously. I understand the charges of cheerleading the past few years and actually agreed with it in the Cotto/Margarito fight, but no one brings home the narrative of a big fight nearly as well. He's the best ever at that. Merchant is great because he's an old school guy who isn't afraid of criticism, but he's so out of touch at this point, it's about time for him to step down. Lennox is woeful. Steward is good, and I actually liked Jones, too. The Showtime guys are competent, but weatherman Steve Albert is just a run-of-the-mill broadcaster. He doesn't inject genuine emotion into a fight like Lampley does. Bernstein is a better analyst than anyone HBO has, however. Tessitore is a true drama queen, but he tries hard. Bob Papa is just OK. Nick Charles is cool in a Friday night vibe kind of way, and Steve Farhood is pretty chilled out, too.
People actually liked Foreman at the broadcast table? Oy...to each their own man. As per Lampley and Merchant, Anybody who hates a broadcast team (whose essential job is to direct the action for casual fans), may have too much time on their hands.
Agreed...but I think he's very dry and bland. Lampley (even when he's WAY off) makes you feel like there's something going on in the fight just by raising the tone of his voice. The guy can sell a fight. And of course he has his homerisms but who doesn't? Even the relic that is Howard Cossell had his favorite fighters who he leaned towards ridiculously.
If MErchant did not have someone in his ear telling him what to say , he would be so much worse. Merchant sucks pretty badly. For at least 10 years now.
They're both legends who've been covering this sport for the last 20-30 years. **** the haters! I would be dissapointed if they weren't on.
I love 'em. Merchant plays the crotechty ole' curmudgeon role perfectly, and Lamps plays the cheerleader. I fight has to be pretty damn bad for you not to atleast get a little more interested in it because he's talking. As opposed to the FnF team (who I like Tessitore, but loathe Atlas) tend to get sidetracked and forget that a fight is taking place in the ring. You could have a good fight going on, but Teddy is talking about some stupid **** and it's like he isn't even paying attention, even when Joe tries to turn it back to the action.. You know how fighters take rounds off? Well Teddy Atlas has taken entire fights off.
Kellerman suck ****. He's a biased ******* with connections or he'd never have gotten the job. Merchant & Lampley are 10X better than Max.
Many of you do not like Merchant because he tells it like it is and says things about your favorite fighter that you do not like. Merchant does not put up with BS from fighters, promoters, managers etc. and that is why I like him.
I don't hate Lampley but he does kind of suck. I hated Merchant for probably 15 years but now I can tolerate him. His pre-fight monologues are stupid and I hate them. I have grown to enjoy some of his drunken post fight interviews. I'd take Big George, Manny Steward and Al Bernstein anyday!