Thread: Larry Merchant- GOAT Analyst

A lot of people I notice dislike Larry and his jibes at the boxing world over all the years but imo there is no doubt. Larry Merchant is the greatest analyst and boxing presenter of all time.

Not only does he know the sport of boxing better than Rand McNally knows the world, he brought more colour and humour to the sport than any other commentator in history, totally eclipsing Howard Cosell before him. His long time associate Jim Lampley should also share a piece but without Merchant, the quality of the HBO coverage is not the same.

Max Kellerman could not carry Larry Merchants jockstrap!

If anyone agrees, feel free to share some of his "expert" quotes

One of my favourites... "Well if whaling had just been outlawed in Japan... Clearly, Tyson hadn't heard about it!" (After Tyson "harpooned" Tony Tubbs in Tokyo)

I was re-watching Livingston Bramble fight Ray Mancini and Al Bernstein is an iconic and quality commentator.

Larry was great, but sometimes he would wax poetic/philosophical a bit too much, and of course as he got up there in years he became slower of mind, but yeah in his prime he was great.

I disagree. I think he is an arrogant douche who could care less of what it takes to be a fighter. I have seen him dog fighters who just fought their ass off and risk their lives only to be belittled at the end with stupid questions or pointless rhetoric. Larry is smoke and mirrors.

Originally Posted by Master

I was re-watching Livingston Bramble fight Ray Mancini and Al Bernstein is an iconic and quality commentator.

Yes he is my favorite commentator and a real nice guy. I read his book and spoke to him a bit on twitter.

Larry was a self absorbed dick, but he was/is a great commentator. Classed up the broadcasts.

Originally Posted by Master

I was re-watching Livingston Bramble fight Ray Mancini and Al Bernstein is an iconic and quality commentator.

Al bernstein is a lovely warm guy.
He appeals to many.

Originally Posted by imp

Originally Posted by Master

I was re-watching Livingston Bramble fight Ray Mancini and Al Bernstein is an iconic and quality commentator.

Al bernstein is a lovely warm guy.
He appeals to many.

He is on channel 5 and should be at the De Gale fight this weekend.

I liked Gutteridge and Carpenter but I also like Ian Darke, alongside a boxer, Glenn McCrory, Barry McGuiggan, Jim Watt etc, Darke is great.

Don Dunphy used to do tv fights and hardly say a word during the round- you can see for yourself, after all. Jim Healy didn't say much, except to point out things that, being ringside, were apparent to him, but maybe not to a tv audience. He'd point out that a punch that got the crowd going may not have been that great, or that one guy was moving the other with his punches. They were good commentators, and they worked alone.

Today, you have three jackasses- and they are almost all jackasses- that typically know fuck all about boxing (as in how to do it) and they all feel like they have to be saying something at all times. Even George Foreman, who does know about boxing, ended up staying a lot of stupid crap because he felt like he always had to say something.

Larry Merchant and Jim Grey should have a duel with assault rifles. IMO

Originally Posted by beenKOed

Larry Merchant and Jim Grey should have a duel with assault rifles. IMO

Throw Sheridan in there and make it a three way. Dude just does not shut up.

I like Larry best when he was trying to beat up people trying to steal his camera time. I liked him levels above Lampley, not sure that's saying much.

Originally Posted by Spicoli

I like Larry best when he was trying to beat up people trying to steal his camera time. I liked him levels above Lampley, not sure that's saying much.

It is amazing to me that Lampley has been doing fights forever and still knows absolutely nothing about boxing.

Originally Posted by greynotsoold

Originally Posted by Spicoli

I like Larry best when he was trying to beat up people trying to steal his camera time. I liked him levels above Lampley, not sure that's saying much.

It is amazing to me that Lampley has been doing fights forever and still knows absolutely nothing about boxing.

Hearing him call fights is like listening to a hyperactive kid full of Mountain Dew read comic books outloud.

He takes an age to put an entire sentance together these days