An Open Letter to the New Head of HBO Boxing
by The Boxer Rebellion on Jul 18, 2011 9:42 PM EDT
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PrintDear Mr./Mrs TBD:
Hello, my name is The Boxer Rebellion, and I am a longtime HBO subscriber. Since The Sopranos, and to a lesser extent, Big Love, went off the air, the only reason I remain one of your customers is because I love the sport of boxing. You see, I am not interested in vampires, or some show about wizards and knights and kings and dragons that you people seem obsessed with pushing on me; no, I stick around for one reason, and one reason only - boxing. Please let the following serve to summarize some of my thoughts about your recent hiring, and what HBO can do to both increase ratings and help boxing return to a more prominent place in the U.S. sports scene.
First, I'd like to congratulate you on your new job. You hold in your hands not only the future of boxing on HBO, but to a large extent, the future of the sport as a whole. While your rival Showtime is doing a very good job, and you should be rightfully concerned about how they have encroached upon what was once your exclusive territory in the sport (i.e. mega-PPV's), I can't help but shake the feeling that as HBO boxing goes, so goes the sport.
With those pleasantries out of the way, let's get down to the tougher stuff. Here are several suggestions for your consideration:
Showcase fighters that make good fights - I know, I know, this sounds very basic -- but your network has not done a very good job of this. Chad Dawson, god bless him, does not make good fights. Just ask Emmanuel Steward (who, by the way, as I'll address below, is one of the only people currently in your broadcast team that you should not fire) -- he had to beg his fighter to, like, you know, punch Adrian Diaconu in their last fight, and it still didn't work. I would appreciate it if you would not put him on my teevee in the future; sadly, I think you will learn this lesson the hard way when you lose a bunch of money on the upcoming PPV between him and Bernard Hopkins. The same can be said for Andre Berto. I do not care if he is fighting Jan Zaveck or whatever his name is in a few months for the NIBFXXXX world welterweight championship -- he is not very fun to watch unless he is getting beaten up by Victor Ortiz. Please stop paying him a lot of money to fight on your network. To assist in your endeavors, I am going to give you a list of some fighters that you should do your best to feature:
- Sergio Martinez - he is the true middleweight champion of the world, he is exciting to watch, and I have it on good authority from Mrs. TBR that his abdominal section is not too shabby for the ladies to look at. Win win for everyone, you see? Plus, you owe him something for your network's despicable actions wherein you literally stole one of his alphabet belts from him to give to Julio C. Chavez, Jr. That just wasn't right.
- Marcos Maidana -- you cannot go wrong with this guy. He has been in a legitimate FOTY candidate for three straight years (09 v. Ortiz; 10 v. Khan, 11 v. Morales). Something tells me he is likely to be in another fight of the year candidate vs. Robert Guerrero. All this guy does is stalk people around the ring, get hit 3,000 times in the process, and load up on giant power shots that could knock his opponent flat out at any time. This is irresistible for both casual boxing fans and die-hards like myself who admire a guy with such limited skill, but with such tremendous heart. You should make sure that you televise his next 4-5 fights while he's in his prime, because guys like this don't last very long.
- Brandon Rios -- very much in the Maidana mold, but probably a good bit more skilled. He may already be the most exciting fighter in the sport to watch, and he's still very young, so you have a long time to develop what could be one of the great stars of this era. He's also of Mexican decent, which is great for your ratings with that audience.
This is by no means an exclusive list -- take a long look at featuring guys like Pawel Wolak, Delvin Rodriguez, Lucas Matthysse, and guys of their ilk -- fighters who will BECOME stars, if you just give them a chance. Hell, bring back Chris Arreola -- he's in shape now, and dammit...he cares, and comes to win every time he fights.
Fire everyone in your broadcast booth - Yep, there, I said it. I could be convinced to keep Max Kellerman around (after he is extensively de-Larry Merchantized), and I probably do want you to keep Manny Steward (his "bWOAH MY GAWD!" call of the last Berto knockdown against Victor Ortiz is the highlight of your team's TV coverage for at least 3 years), but everyone else must go. This may come as a surprise to you, but Larry Merchant...does not like boxing. Or, at a minimum, he doesn't like what boxing is today, and I'm tired of listening to him complain and moan through round after round. I also don't think Jim Lampley cares anymore, and his lack of passion drags fights down. I am one of Roy Jones Jr.'s biggest fans...but Antonio Tarver is beating him as an announcer as badly as he beat him in...well, all three of their fights, but I digress; it's time to let him go. If all else fails, try to go poach Showtime's people -- it's the American way, and other than Gus Johnson, they have lots of quality booth people. It's also time to spice up the graphics, the music, and the overall presentation of your shows; it all feels very, very stale at this point. You can do better.
These are just a couple of helpful suggestions. i am sure that the nice folks here at BLH will add a bunch of extra helpful suggestions in the comments. I wish you the best of luck in your new job.
Your pal,
The Boxer Rebellion
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Fire everyone in your broadcast booth
except Roy Jones.
"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin
I agree. I think Roy generally does a fine job.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
We're clearing house in the booth and keeping RJJ?
That’s like moving all the furniture outside so it doesn’t bother the dust.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I like his analysis. He’s on point, says incisive shit nobody else does, or at least nobody else in that booth.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
He’s on point, says incisive shit nobody else does, or at least nobody else in that booth.
Such as one fighter is beating the other because Jeebus is magic.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
People have their outlook on life, he’s got a right to his (though it’s certainly not mine); he doesn’t do it that much, it’s just noticeable when he does if it bothers you. His analysis is generally good and his personality is fine.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
He is absolutely entitled to his view of life
And I wish him well attending whichever house of worship he so chooses on Sundays.
However, it is wholly inappropriate for him to mention it on-air in the course of a boxing match where it has no bearing. To me, it should have been grounds for firing or at least a publicized reprimand afterwards. It’s a diverse sport. What if a Christian fighter is going against someone trained by Brother Nazim or a fighter who is in fact Muslim? Are we going to hear the Christian fighter is winning because of his religious affiliation?
The bottom line is people give Lamps shit for his “bang, Bang, BANG” in Pac/Clottey, but this shit passes without hardly a mention. It’s not the only thing that bugs me about RJJ’s commentary (telling Merchant to shut up because Merchant was never a fighter, when there are much better reasons to tell Merchant to shut up) but it is the most recent and probably the most egregious.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s that Christian agenda over there at the HB & O – pushing their goddamm religion on me all the time. They oughta know better, right Kid? – Where are those pitch-forks?
If we want to get all high and mighty, Lampley likes to hit women – go get high and mighty with that.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
He does not, however, say hitting women on-air is okay.
These guys are not my friends. I don’t care what they do in their personal lives. I want astute analysis on the boxing match playing out before me. When RJJ says that one fighter is beating another because of their faith in anything, it does not rise to that level.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
eh – it’s not my personal perspective, but I don’t really notice it that much. He doesn’t throw it around constantly. It’s not as over-bearing as Merchant’s rambling negative bs.
I want astute analysis on the boxing match playing out before me.
Generally, that’s why I like Roy. I think he can say what’s going on in the fight, what one fighter is or isn’t doing, and adjustments that should be or could be made.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
What if a Christian fighter is going against someone trained by Brother Nazim or a fighter who is in fact Muslim? Are we going to hear the Christian fighter is winning because of his religious affiliation?
If he went there, I’d advocate for his ouster. But I haven’t heard that at all.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
But saying that the thing plays any role at all is basically the same thing
“This guy is winning because he has Jesus, while the other guy does not (which is in itself specious unless he knows what Soto-Karass’s prayer habits are)” is not really at all different from “This guy is winning because he has Jesus while the other has Mohammed.”
Distinction without a difference. It has no place in commentary on a sport with a diverse participant and spectator base.
Boxing is international. That’s one of the things I love about it. If RJJ can’t commentate in a way that takes that diversity into account he shouldn’t be commentating at all, let alone on the foremost American boxing broadcaster.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
When and where did Roy say, “[this guy] is winning because he has Jesus”? I don’t recall that kind of causal statement. I recall him saying some shit like, “[that guy] has a new found faith, and he believes that is helping him.” That’s way different than what you’re attributing to him. You got a link?
I think there is an important distinction. He can express his faith positively, and give it a lucky rabbit status without directly demeaning another man’s faith. Is there an implication behind it? – Sure but I think it’s much less disparaging. If I eat at McDonald’s a lot, and Burger King is the same distance away, it doesn’t mean I hate and have no respect for Burger King – but it does certainly imply I like McD’s better. That does not equal hate or intolerance, or a nativist (’Merica Fuck Yea) perspective. That is an important distinction.
Also, context is important. This is HBO, a subsidiary of Time Warner. There is no corporate agenda behind Roy’s statements. They are truly his own. If this was some Focus on the Family funded rant, it’d be different.
If RJJ can’t commentate in a way that takes that diversity into account
We got two old white dudes and RJJ in the booth and he’s the one that just can’t handle the diversity in boxing. Right. Got it.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
He said, and I quote:
“It’s great to see Mike Jones show his skills, show his ability, show his Christian faith…”
As if the three were linked.
We got two old white dudes and RJJ in the booth and he’s the one that just can’t handle the diversity in boxing. Right. Got it.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s pretty thin, really.
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
Then you explain to me what he was talking about
How was Mike Jones displaying his Christian faith in the ring?
Genuflecting between punches? Presumably kneeling would have earned him an eight count.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Compare what you’ve been attributing to him to what he actually said. Look at all your “what if he saids!” above. Well he didn’t say that, and he didn’t even come close.
You’re making a slippery slope argument based on him saying some incredibly tame shit that doesn’t in any way impugn any other religion.
It’s ridiculous.
This is why you want him off the air? – Really? That’s all it is?
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
I didn't say I want him off the air.
Though I do. I said I’d ditch Roy a long time before I ditched Lamps or Kellerman.
In addition to his playing the religion card, I also hate him playing the “I fought and you didn’t” card, as I’ve said below and in other instances.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I like that he said that to Merchant. I wish he wouldn’t have laughed after he said it. Shit I wish he’d say it again.
But, I don’t like Merchant, so…
"While he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones." J. Sutherland.
I don’t like him either, but just call him on his bullshit when he says something stupid. Getting all ad hominem about whether he fought or not just distracts from how stupid the thing he just said was.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 22, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
We got two old white dudes and RJJ in the booth and he’s the one that just can’t handle the diversity in boxing. Right. Got it.
Just stop me when I get to the part where I’m lying.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Praise-the-Lordism
generally drives me nuts, but he doesn’t really do that—he just references his own perspective, which deserves as much tolerance as anyone else’s does. He never even hints at the idea that the Christian is winning because he’s got Jesus on his side or such nonsense—his references use Jesus/Christianity as a synomym for God/Allah/Yahweh/Buddha/Fate as sources of wholeness, not that I buy into them myself as such, but I’d spend a lot of time being offended if people referring to them got me upset.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
by BoxAnne on Jul 21, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
his references use Jesus/Christianity as a synomym for God/Allah/Yahweh/Buddha/Fate as sources of wholeness,
Even if that was true, which it isn’t, it still excludes boxing fans and boxers of no faith, who should be able to tune into WCB or BAD without having to be subjected to that.
It’s like The National Day of Prayer. “Well, you can pray to whoever you want.” Some people don’t want to pray at all. Some people find the whole idea pretty ridiculous. And the cool thing about America is you have to take that perspective into account at all.
Discussing faith has no place from a boxing broadcaster at all. If a boxer wants to reference it after a fight, whatever. I personally find that inappropriate as well, but apparently that battle has already been lost. But it certainly shouldn’t be part of the paid commentary, if for not other reason than it’s completely irrelevant.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I AM a boxing fan of no faith, and don’t get my knickers in a twist because some (most, apparently) have some faith, rely on it, and reference it.
As far as the quoted passage above not being true, well, maybe it’s not true for you, but most reasonable people would hear his remarks that way.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
by BoxAnne on Jul 21, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
… most reasonable people would hear his remarks that way.
Most reasonable people would hear the remark to be something he did not, in fact, say?
That’s an interesting definition of “reasonable.”
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
er, off-air he says it's OK?
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Right, poorly phrased.
What I should have said is:
He does not, however, go on the air and say hitting women is okay.
If he did, I would call for his ouster, because I don’t think that’s appropriate to be said over the airwaves.
I don’t know if Lamps hit his girlfriend. Wasn’t there. That’s up to the courts. Following that, if HBO wants to take punitive action, have at it.
I do, however, know exactly what RJJ said over the airwaves. I heard it and saw it referenced on multiple discussion boards. And if we start firing commentators at HBO, I think he should be the first to go, for lame and inappropriate commentary such as that.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Lampley will not face charges for the alleged attack itself, Hellstrom said, adding that his office reviewed Sanders’ allegations of domestic violence, but found “insufficient evidence to prove it.”
There you go, Nancy Grace.
http://www.nctimes.com/sports/article_c538a308-cce4-52af-804c-1ce6d749d7f0.html#ixzz1Smq2oCnb
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 21, 2011 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Lampley is a saint. Violating a restraining order (to which he plead “no contest” to, same as a gulity plea) by stalking his ex.
Anyway, the HBO crew’s big problem isn’t evangelism or criminality. It’s being a bunch of drunken, rambling sycophants for the company’s house fighters.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Keep RJJ?
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA????
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Follow me @xFenixKnightx or on Google+ for MMA, Boxing, Tech or Gaming talk.
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 22, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Great post--
they have an e-mail form linked at “contact us” way at the bottom of their website. Maybe we should bombard them.
But I agree with HUNGRY HUNTER about keeping Roy Jones.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Roy Jones is a spectactacle and Paul Williams should think about getting out of the ring and Amir Khun has more skills and Zab Judah is the same Zab but different but the same, but different.
I can take or leave Jones as much as anyone.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
My favorite part of Jones's analysis is when he says one guy is beating another because of Jesus
And no, I don’t want to get into a debate about religion. You could be the Pope and know that those kinds of comments are totally worthless and eye-roll worthy.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
That part of his presentation I agree with you on. Otherwise I like him fine, I just write that part off. The world is full of people who do that one way or another, and I always just write it, but not them, off.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Sure, but as long as we're cherry-picking I'll write off Merchant's senility and Lamps's contrariness
Gotta look at the whole package and decide if it’s worth keeping. I like Lamps. I like Kellerman. Merchant has run his course, I think. Papa has missed way too many KO calls. Steward sucks. And Jones is on par with Lennox, in my mind. Need to get Bhop in there when he retires.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
An Open Letter to The Boxer Rebellion
Watch Treme and Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones is better than The Charismatic and Talented Bill Paxton Hour could ever dream of being, and unless you were one of those Sopranos fans who got upset whenever an episode went by and nobody got “whacked,” you might like Treme.
Your pal,
Scott
P.S. The production team is allegedly getting an overhaul. There’s a lot going down. I hope people don’t piss and moan when they change the theme music to shows.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
have yet to watch GoT, but treme is truly beautiful. for some reason i had wanted to stop watching treme since season 1 was kind of slow, but season 2 was just amazing. david simon is a god when it comes to making tv shows
I hate the Texans
by battle axe of doom on Jul 19, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah Treme is tremendous. Ha! Tremendous. Sadly nobody watches/watched it. Enough major, blatant events didn’t happen. People like Law & Order and CSI though, what do I know?
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 5:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Everybody will piss and moan their heads off, and start immediately, loudly, and repetitively rueing the loss of Merchant, Lampley, Jones, the music, and the graphics, to name but a few. The loss of a Golden Age will be perceived, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth won’t quit for a while. Mark my words.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Oh I know. They shit themselves when the Boxing After Dark music changed.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The sound of joy you will hear from the White Mountains of New Hampshire will be me.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
I live near, work in, and have extensive family from, New Orleans. I could give you my (many) objections to the show, but we would get way, way off topic.
by The Boxer Rebellion on Jul 19, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
There were people in New Jersey who complained about The Sopranos too, y’know. It’s a TV show.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony’s next door neighbor was an Italian doctor. Tony’s therapist was Italian and her ex-husband was an activist and a … lawyer or something, I forget. There were a lot of Italians on the show that weren’t mobsters and the show actually addressed the stereotyping issue a few times. Anyone with a brain knows that not all Italians are mobsters. The people who don’t realize that probably don’t need to be listened to anyway, and they probably don’t even watch that show. I think they watch The Jersey Shore and True Blood.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 3:57 AM EDT up reply actions
The Sopranos wasn’t ABOUT New Jersey in the same way Treme purports to be about New Orleans.
by The Boxer Rebellion on Jul 20, 2011 8:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, OK. I guess I just don’t take these things all that seriously.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I generally don’t either, but when a show takes what I think is a pretty irresponsible viewpoint about an extremely important event in the city’s history…it’s tough to ignore. I don’t doubt that the show is good entertainment for 99% of the general viewing audience, and I’m sad that I’m not getting to enjoy a David Simon show because I just happen to be from the area that the show is about.
by The Boxer Rebellion on Jul 20, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I do when it comes to stereotypying an ethnic group or other type of group. It perpetuates
a false sense of the people being stereotyped. It’s wrong. I used to do it. My kid doesn’t do it. And his kids won’t even kknow what the word means. F—k the Sopranos, the ugly therapist, Tony’s next door neighbor, Bobby Bocala (well maybe not him), and all the rest whos names end in “O.” And particularly that ugly rat Phil. Are you feeling me on this? "twisted:
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
I loved The Wire
Watched one season of Treme, just couldn’t get into it.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Deadwood and The Wire are both better than any HBO series named so far.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I love The Wire but I am so goddamn sick of sportswriters forcing Wire references into everything. That’s not directed at you, just a thought on the matter.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm sick of everything Bill Simmons
So I totally concur.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Now I can get pretty comforatble with Deadwood.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
Sad thing is
HBO’s graphics and music is STILL miles ahead of UFC’s, but that’s neither here nor there. One thing that does concern me though is, what if they go in the UFC’s direction? New metal doucheyness FTL! *shudders
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Follow me @xFenixKnightx or on Google+ for MMA, Boxing, Tech or Gaming talk.
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 22, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
The main point of my letter, if I get around to it, is that HBO needs to stop focusing on merely pleasing fighters, and do much more to start making Fights.
In the 1990s, the state of boxing was such that HBO could bring up Roy Jones Jr. v.s. [Bum of the Month] and do well; not exceptionally well, not build-the-sport well, but well.
Today, there are so many more options available to the sports fan, MMA included. There are signature fighters, of course, and you can still tell your less-involved fans they should come over for “the Manny Pacquiao fight.” But “the Andre Berto” fight, well-compensated as he’s been, has never held anything like that kind of appeal, and even the hardcore will naturally ask, “Yeah, but, who is he fighting.”
If you want to make the fighters, make Fights. If you want to puff air into fruitless projects, bring back John from Cincinnati#.
#Am not actually endorsing the return of John from Cincinnati. A Mr. Show reunion special would be dope, though.
SC is gonna ban you
he’s like one of 3 people who saw john from cinci back when it was on the air.
I hate the Texans
by battle axe of doom on Jul 19, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I own it on DVD. I bought it on release day as I figured it wouldn’t be printed very long. I haven’t checked again, but I’m guessing it wasn’t printed very long. I loved the show, but it’s not The Sopranos or Deadwood or anything, and I can easily understand with no argument why someone might not just be disinterested, but truly hate it. JFC was really, really “out there,” and I still don’t really understand what the show was truly about.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 5:02 AM EDT up reply actions
It started so strong, but I feel like around episode 4 or 5 the wheels fell off
Looking forward to Milch’s new one, Luck.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Jul 20, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I’m looking forward to that one, too. I look forward to anything Milch gets green-lighted really.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
personally i never gave a shit about the showtime crew. i’d rather have lampley complain about a boring ass fight then listen to the showtime guys talk up a fight that sucks
I hate the Texans
by battle axe of doom on Jul 19, 2011 12:53 AM EDT reply actions
At least have Lampley, Kellerman and Steward. Roy and Merchant are Turrible, as Sir Charles woulod say. The graphics and music do need some spicing up. Just please no new metal crap. That is NOT the way to go.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Follow me @xFenixKnightx or on Google+ for MMA, Boxing, Tech or Gaming talk.
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 22, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I have 0 idea how this got here. =/
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Follow me @xFenixKnightx or on Google+ for MMA, Boxing, Tech or Gaming talk.
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 22, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Roy Jones is wildly overrated. We grade former fighters on a very generous curve. I never really feel like Jones is saying anything very insightful. I do feel that way with Tarver who regularly points out things the fighters are doing technically that is interesting.
by Sammlung on Jul 19, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Tarver is better, but Jones is still good. I learn stuff from Jones, and enjoy him.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
But Tarver beat Jones so Tarver is better
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
Dream Fight Card incl Broadcast Booth
Put together 3 fights for a HBO card and include your Dream Broadcast booth. If you must include Mayweather vs. Pac (but that is like Inception style dreaming…dream w/in a dream!)
Larry Merchant, Teddy Atlas, and for the pro in the booth I would go with someone new like James Toney. I would also use Harold Lederman.
Ok maybe that would be the worst crew of all time. No offense towards Letterman as I like him, but his yelling gets tiresome.
My real crew?
Al Bernstein, Max Kellerman, and Antonio Tarver. To be honest I would keep Lederman as I tend to think his scoring is pretty good.
Honestly after hearing him do it one time, I would consider bumping Lederman into a full-time color commentary role while also keeping a scorecard, like Jim Watt and Teddy Atlas do.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
And if I had my druthers the guys calling every fight would be Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood without a third man mucking it up. No need to force in “AS AN EX-FIGHTER, (NAME), WHAT DO YOU SEE?” I’m really not hung up on having ex-athletes in any booth for any sport.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 19, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Honestly I think Lederman should be one of the first to go. His bizarre performance during Alexander-Kotelnik was the final blow for me to his credibility as any kind of boxing judge, although I guess he did end up getting it “right.”
Actually, Teddy does agreat job of scoring, He is usually right on the mark including draws
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
I think Teddy is a decent scorer, even though he sometimes scores a few too many 10-10 rounds for my taste. He’s pretty terrible at big fight predictions, though. I’d almost want to see how he would do in Lederman’s spot on HBO, scoring some of his way-off prediction fights live. Maybe he would still be a good scorer… or maybe we’d see some more 10-10 rounds creep in to smooth out his predictions, the way that Manny Steward will suddenly change his tune mid-punch to prove how much of an expert he is.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
I’m really not hung up on having ex-athletes in any booth for any sport.
Gee
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
What have Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver ever added to a baseball game? What did Lennox Lewis ever add to a boxing broadcast? What does Matt Millen add? When they’re good (Tarver) then I’m all for it, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have them there.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they might be good in a much more diminished role akin to what they do with Harold. Once every couple of rounds you ask for some instant analysis and then you go back to the core announcing team. I think they can give some good insights but they usually aren’t good enough to do it on a consistent basis.
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
by Waldo Rastel on Jul 20, 2011 5:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Broadcasting is not easy. I mean, I’ve never done it, but I’m guessing that it’s sure as hell not easy. Especially if you didn’t, you know, learn to do it via school or anything like that. Ex-athletes basically are thrown into the fire. Some sink, some swim, some do both at the same time.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 6:09 AM EDT up reply actions
This letter right here. This letter right here is GREATNESS!
HBO are you reading this? How are there no Rec’s on this?
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Follow me @xFenixKnightx or on Google+ for MMA, Boxing, Tech or Gaming talk.
If they aren't gonna fire anyone
At least have Lampley, Kellerman and Steward. If Steward isnt avail then just LamKell. Roy and Merchant are turrible, as Sir Charles would say. Ive actually started treating Merchants commentary like comedy. Its rather fun. Bob Pappa puts me to sleep. I’m sorry.The graphics do need some spicing up.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Follow me @xFenixKnightx or on Google+ for MMA, Boxing, Tech or Gaming talk.
Papa’s just bland-neutral to me, like Curt Menefee. Neither are really “boxing guys,” but they don’t kill me.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 22, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
this was an excellent open letter...
…loved the description of Maidana, as well as the line about Merchant hating boxing…..that’s either senility, or he hates his own product (i checked with my Harvard-grad buddy, and he confirmed that was bad for business)…..he needs to be sent out to pasture immediately….
formerly NeilLomaxFan
by BrothersGottaAndyHug on Jul 25, 2011 12:00 AM EDT reply actions
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