Has there ever been a stranger performance than Micky Ward-Alphonso Sanchez?

[Fenster]

I think I've argued this before but I don't really blame Merchant. Now I don't remember whether or not he called him a coward, that's a stretch. Still hindsight's twenty twenty but what was he supposed to say, this Micky Ward's got the heart of a lion? He's got to comment on what's in front of him. If there had been a round by round here on that fight it would have been full of this fight is garbage, please please please never put Micky Ward on tv again. And then a few years later everyone would be talking about what a warrior he was, no different from Merchant.

I thought the negative commentary was over the top but without doubt that's because of hindsight. All Ward's epics came after this anyway, no?

Green, Neary, Augustus, Gatti...

[holmcall]

I think I've argued this before but I don't really blame Merchant. Now I don't remember whether or not he called him a coward, that's a stretch. Still hindsight's twenty twenty but what was he supposed to say, this Micky Ward's got the heart of a lion? He's got to comment on what's in front of him. If there had been a round by round here on that fight it would have been full of this fight is garbage, please please please never put Micky Ward on tv again. And then a few years later everyone would be talking about what a warrior he was, no different from Merchant.

Yeah, maybe so, but at least do a little reserach because you would have known that Ward could win a fight at any time with his liver shot. And I'd be willing to bet that LM did call him a "coward." You never call anyone who steps into the ring that, let alone a Ward who has slaughtered .Louis Veader twice before this fight to win the WBU Intercontinenal Light Welterweight Title and who had won 8 in a row. Back in the day, his fights with guys like Johnny Rafuse and David Rivello are still being talked about in the hood.

[OumaFan]

True, coward would be a step too far but just slagging off Ward for basically not even trying to win wasn't that off IMO. Not sure really how his performance was different from Gainer's versus JMM (outside of the one shot ending obviously) and Gainer got ripped ridiculously hard for that and justifiably so.

[holmcall]

Well, it ended well!!

[THE THIRD MAN]

I don't even know if I'd say he made them look like idiots, he deserved all the criticism up to that point.

It was just great though Ouma, i agree he deserved the criticism. Because all he was doing was running which was shocking the hell out of me, but theres nothing more great than commentators hating on a fighter, then boom they all shut up and say blah blah what a great performance, knowing that they've just been made to look silly

If you actually watch the clip again Ouma about 30 seconds before the KO or so, Micky Ward actually badly hurts Alfonso Sanchez. With a left hook to the body and he doubles over. You could actually see the KO coming, if i remember rightly i think RJJ notices this aswell just before he's on about he's glad he didn't pay for the fight or whatever.

Correct, i remember watching this and couldn't believe my eyes that Ward was so bad, then just as Jones was saying why isn't Ward going to the body he hits him and Sanchez doubles up a little then hits him again and the fight is over. Ward never won a round except the last one. Amazing result, just goes to show it aint't over until it's over!!

[Spicoli]

I give him a pass on that one.He was pacing himself .Merchant was smoking bowls that night.I think they brought him in knowing his history and as an opponent for Sanchez and Wards frustaration was there.Don't forget that Ward had a ugly run of ....well......not doing so well previously and being out woked by a few other 'prospects' that over time would not nearly reach the height that Ward did.Ricky Meyers for shite sack.Was it me or did Sanchez look huge compared?

[ElTerribleMorales]

When he wasn't talking about himself Roy was the best commentator/fighter HBO's ever had.

One thing I just noticed again, because when I made this thread I didn't watch any of the fight, i'd already seen it a few times, but i went back and looked at the seventh round just now and I had forgotten how Micky Ward spent pretty much the whole fight just slapping his gloves together, another odd bit, like he was frustrated but its a bit odd to be frustrated when you're not even really trying.

Kevin Kelley, Roy Jones, are the best commentators in modern day boxing IMO.

Sean O'Grady is ok, and Raul Marquez is pretty good, but yea gotta agree on Kelly and Jones, can't stand Lewis on HBO though

[holmcall]

Well, if Lampley agreed with Merchant, then it must have been so. Ha. Hardly. Merchant is/was one of the laziest reserachers in the business. He acted like he was above having to do the grunt work. That's why Max will be better in the future. He knows his history and does the hard work.

The one thing LM does well is the post fight interview, but it's time he hit the Gentleman's Farm in Westchester County.

[Violent Demise]

Those of us who lived in the Boston area already knew who Micky was and what he was capable of, but this was his coming out party on HBO. Merchant did no research whatsoever (no surprise there) and even went so far as to imply that Micky was a coward, though Micky did look dreadful early on. But when he iced the guy with that liver shot, I about went through the ceiling.

Fast Forward

Merchant now refers to Micky as that brave warrior. Please pass the puke bucket

That's what it turned out to be at the end. But originally it was suppose to be Sanchez coming out party. Who was 16-0, 15 KO's coming in.

[holmcall]

Those of us who lived in the Boston area already knew who Micky was and what he was capable of, but this was his coming out party on HBO. Merchant did no research whatsoever (no surprise there) and even went so far as to imply that Micky was a coward, though Micky did look dreadful early on. But when he iced the guy with that liver shot, I about went through the ceiling.

Fast Forward

Merchant now refers to Micky as that brave warrior. Please pass the puke bucket

That's what it turned out to be at the end. But originally it was suppose to be Sanchez coming out party. Who was 16-0, 15 KO's coming in.

Correct.

[skel1983]

this probably deserves a thread of its own but predictions on a prime ward vs a prime chavez?

one of the greatest fights of all time is mine lol.

You being serious mate?? Micky Ward went to war against Shea Neary in a close fight ffs, prime Chavez would of destroyed Micky Ward.