Larry Merchant- GOAT Analyst

[Max Power]

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)

[Master]

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

[Beanflicker]

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.

[jon09]

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.

[beenKOed]

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

[IamInuit]

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.

[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.

[Bo-Bo24]

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

[greynotsoold]

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.

[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.

[Hulk]

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.

[p4pking]

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.

Yeah Sheridan is proof positive that you don't need to have any real insight to make it behind the mic. I guess he kind of has the drunk uncle at Christmas appeal or something though as people like him. I thought he was particularly bad last night, he has absolutely no idea what the hell he is watching and can't score a round to save his life, he does make Larry Merchant look good though.

[El Kabong]

Al Bernstein is one of my favorites, class act.


as for HBO, the problem with any lineup they put out there is that they are all too willing to be negative. If you watch UFC you'll NEVER hear Joe Rogan say anything bad about a fight, it just never happens or in the cases where it DOES happen the commentator takes a stance siding with the audible fans who are booing the action or lack thereof. At HBO you'd better be 100% action 100% of the time because as soon as there's a lull we'll hear about how bad the fight is, how shit the fighters are, and how "boxing didn't use to be this way".......yes, yes it did. Boxing has always had fights that are good, fights that are bad, and fights that are so-so but what we didn't have are a bunch of Negative Nancy's out there bitching about the product nonstop!

[El Kabong]

UFC knows that commentating is a tied to the marketing of their sport. as much as I dislike Joe Rogan he does an excellent job explaining techniques, strategies, and delivering excitement as the color man. HBO COULD do that, but Merchant is cynical as hell, Lampley is half crazy, Kellerman has not found himself yet (they don't know if he's an analyst or color man), and half the boxers they have call the fights are always comparing what's going on in the ring to what THEY did in the ring, which would be ok if they weren't constantly spouting off with a tone akin to "Yeah, I was better than both of those chumps in the ring"

[p4pking]

Agreed, it's taken a real turn in the past few years even that I've noticed. I think it must be in part due to the popularity of the UFC, it's like they are trying to provide damage control for the viewers out for blood, who don't want to watch boxing. Their matchmaking and roster of fighters lately tells the same story.