Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
He got a lot of flack for his occasional babbling after fights and his unfair criticism for overhyping network favorites during fights (that was 100% Lampley), but during the actual fights he was great to listen to and often saw fights the way the viewer did with very little partiality. For example, I clearly remember him stating that he had Whitaker beating De La Hoya after their fight ended.
I never really had a problem with him, especially considering fact he had to mesh with Lampley's antics
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
I didn't really like him but he did have better scorecards than Howard Ledderman.
'I gotta tell ya Jim...' *MUTE*
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Merchant was awesome!! you peeps are crazy. he was funny,witty & was the only one who told Floyd Gayweather off! larry = one of the best ever!
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
I would say he was a good interviewer of boxers who liked to poke them.
His commentary were not that insightfull from boxing perspective, but yes he did score bouts quite well.
He was biased in several occassions, but overall I think he was professional enough.
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Agreed, Merchant was very good. I always liked his voice and take on things. When he said if he was fifty years younger I'd kick your ass to Floyd it was one of the high points of Gayweathers career
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Nah I agree with Ron, he was shitty, at least for the last many years of his career. Way to bloodthirsty and would practically refuse, or wasn't capable of calling the action if a fight wasn't Gatti-Ward. His exchange with Floyd was funny, but how about every other needlessly confrontational interview he would start with just about anyone? Roy Jones is the only good commentator HBO had in my time watching boxing, and Malignaggi is even quite a bit better, he's probably the best I've ever heard in any sport.
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
walrus
Agreed, Merchant was very good. I always liked his voice and take on things. When he said if he was fifty years younger I'd kick your ass to Floyd it was one of the high points of Gayweathers career
That was awesome Larry sure shut Mayweathers mouth Floyds face was a picture ROFL
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
C.J.Rock
Quote:
Originally Posted by
walrus
Agreed, Merchant was very good. I always liked his voice and take on things. When he said if he was fifty years younger I'd kick your ass to Floyd it was one of the high points of Gayweathers career
That was awesome Larry sure shut Mayweathers mouth Floyds face was a picture ROFL
Floyd would have beat the living shit out of Merchant. What a fucking jack ass!!!
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
His supposedly insightful comments fall short sometimes, despite that slow pondering voice he puts on, though it is good to have an old-man character there.
One of his good ones was something like "there are many questions to be answered and many answers to be questioned". That was quite neat but for commentators, I prefer Roy Jones, Foreman, malignaggi, anyone.
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Larry Merchant was and is fantastic. HBO hasn't been the same without him. Merchant is cantankerous, opinionated and wants to see a fight. I guess a bit like many of us. Much better than bug eyed Kellerman who I have little time for.
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sleepwalker
He got a lot of flack for his occasional babbling after fights and his unfair criticism for overhyping network favorites during fights (that was 100% Lampley), but during the actual fights he was great to listen to and often saw fights the way the viewer did with very little partiality. For example, I clearly remember him stating that he had Whitaker beating De La Hoya after their fight ended.
I never really had a problem with him, especially considering fact he had to mesh with Lampley's antics
The Merchant and Foreman prattlings always made me happy to watch the fights. lol...
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gandalf
Larry Merchant was and is fantastic. HBO hasn't been the same without him. Merchant is cantankerous, opinionated and wants to see a fight. I guess a bit like many of us. Much better than bug eyed Kellerman who I have little time for.
Merchant didn't give a flying fig newton if the fighter was a network guy, like Roy Jones and Floyd Mayweather Jr. He wanted to get the best out of them. Sadly, however, it was his network to blame for most of RJJ's run of bums than it was RJJ or his promoter. lol...
Re: Larry Merchant was a Great Commentator
I was a big fan of Larry. He was always entertaining IMO. Of course sometimes he would wax a little too philosophical, and by the time he left HBO (and a few years prior) you could tell he wasn't nearly as sharp as he used to be.