What are your criticisms of the boxing programming at HBO/Showtime?

[Onix]

Get rid of Harold Lederman!!

He is obviously an in house judge but damn!! The guy is so jaded in his scoring its ridiculous.

The most annoying thing about his scoring is his inconsistent reasoning about why he gives fighters rounds.


For example:

• Marquez Vs. Pacquiao - Lederman explaining his scores in the mid rounds saying that when a punch count is equal (it was right after a round that they both landed 10 punches) you have to give the round to the more aggressive fighter (Manny) He said it several times about how JMM's style is not appreciated by judges who like himself favor the agressive agressor.

Ok Harold we will accept that reasoning, a few weeks later we have exibit B

• Cotto VS Margarito -Mid rounds Lederman yells for joy saying "to all the boxing purists who ask if a fighter can win a fight while running away I say the answer is yes!!"

Fire Lederman!!

[fightscorecollector]

The original poster made an excellent point regarding HBO. Head of to new shores. It great when they are here in the UK etc but go to places like Japan , Australia or even South America.

Same could be said of Showtime.

[Gandalf]

I agree about Lederman, he is way off all too often these days. "Jim, I gotta tell ya..."....that you are showing signs of dementia? What are you trying to tell us Harold because none of us are seeing what you are seeing anymore.

[Gandalf]

I prefer Showtime a lot more than HBO. HBO these days has become somewhat irritating. By contrast I really like Bernstein, Tarver and Gray.

For me Larry Merchant is the only one left at HBO that I genuinely enjoy listening to. Lampley has become too noisy, babbles and is all ego and Manny Steward seems to be getting senile. Lederman is all over the place with his scoring unless it is a really obvious fight.

HBO is flashier, but it's more style over content.

[fightscorecollector]

I prefer Showtime a lot more than HBO. HBO these days has become somewhat irritating. By contrast I really like Bernstein, Tarver and Gray.

For me Larry Merchant is the only one left at HBO that I genuinely enjoy listening to. Lampley has become too noisy, babbles and is all ego and Manny Steward seems to be getting senile. Lederman is all over the place with his scoring unless it is a really obvious fight.

HBO is flashier, but it's more style over content.

Merchant is the best on HBO , i like you believe that Bernstein , Tarver and Gray do an excellent job , pity we cant have a bernstein and merchant partnership

[Hulk]

Get rid of Harold Lederman!!

He is obviously an in house judge but damn!! The guy is so jaded in his scoring its ridiculous.

The most annoying thing about his scoring is his inconsistent reasoning about why he gives fighters rounds.


For example:

• Marquez Vs. Pacquiao - Lederman explaining his scores in the mid rounds saying that when a punch count is equal (it was right after a round that they both landed 10 punches) you have to give the round to the more aggressive fighter (Manny) He said it several times about how JMM's style is not appreciated by judges who like himself favor the agressive agressor.

Ok Harold we will accept that reasoning, a few weeks later we have exibit B

• Cotto VS Margarito -Mid rounds Lederman yells for joy saying "to all the boxing purists who ask if a fighter can win a fight while running away I say the answer is yes!!"

Fire Lederman!!

Harold is bar none the worst judge on TV. He's always been for the house fighter blatently and is just horrid.

The glaring example of this was when he had Panchito Bojado WINNING against Jesse James Leija after Leija schooled him all night. Even the rest of the announcers disagreed with Harold that night.

Its tragic he is fighting cancer right now and I wish him the best, but I really can't stand his judging most nights.

Also Lyle, I think your #5 should be #1. Bad judging and officiating is the worst offender in boxing today. Always has been.