Worst Commentary Performances

I'm sure I'm setting my guy Lampley up for some abuse here, but rewatching Hopkins vs. Trinidad last night, I'd like to nominate George Foreman.

Foreman embarassingly bought into the Trinidad hype. That was fine for a few rounds, but for the first eight he keeps admonishing Hopkins for things he "better not do against this boy." He advises Bernard to not make Trinidad mad, or to punch with him, or to give Trinidad room to punch, or basically be in there with him at all.

Foreman continually lauds Trinidad for his toughness and determination, completely glossing over a masterclass -- a true masterclass, one of my favorite performances ever -- by Hopkins. Bernard tamed Tito almost from the opening bell, and yet Big George was convinced the fight would turn any second.

Merchant (who was much sharper back then, sad to say) eventually calls him out on it, as well as calling out Lampley for calling shots for Trinidad that Bernard blocked.

By round 9, at least, George started noticing what was happening. By then Bernard was teeing off on Tito, and toward the end, he cruelly abused him. The series of counters in the last 30 seconds of the 10th round, with the grin and step away to go along with it, was vintage Hopkins.

Too bad George didn't notice earlier.

 

Ha ha ha. Good call on the Seldon fight. I remember him saying something like the crowd was booing because they didn't think it was a legit KO, and then being like, "Ughhh, I ugghh, they might be right," or something like that. It was hilarious.

Czyz sounded too punchy to be doing commentary anyway. Always thought they could find someone better.

 

I thought that was a weird sendoff too. I mean, yeah, but no one ever said he was a great fighter. People loved him for his style, not his talent. That was the whole point, which Max (as usual) missed.

 

Teddy is the worst kind of guy to run across if you're having a drink by yourself at a bar. I wonder if he waxes philosophical about his lovelife.

"In order to get the cherry ... you have to be willing to make the commitment. ... It's the commitment ... as shown ... through years of training and determination .. that determines whether ... you can get the cherry. ... And if you do get the cherry ... all that commitment ... has paid off."