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Announcer Rankings
as of 4-4-06
Few things in the sport of boxing polarize fans more than the ire raised by the
announcing crews on the cable networks. It is for this reason that the crew at
The Eight Count present these rankings. These should be taken as a guide for new
fans who are getting to know the announcers for the first time and as entertainment for
the hardcore fans who already know all this.
The Mic for Mic Ratings:
1. Brian Kenny (ESPN2 – Studio Host – FNF) He’s the best straight man in the sport
and his educated studio segments are great even without his old partner Max
Kellerman.
2. Larry Merchant (HBO – Analyst - World Championship Boxing, Boxing After Dark)
Larry’s polarizing commentary and on-point analysis make him either a fan favorite or
boxing enemy #1 among fans. Larry always gets the last word before the beginning of
the fights. He presents the fight as a question which only the fight itself will be able to
answer. Classic moments: Round 12 Ike Quartey vs. Oscar de la Hoya, Post fight
analysis of Erik Morales – Manny Pacquaio II.
3. Teddy Atlas (ESPN2 – Analyst – FNF) He has the best enthusiam and the most
educated presentation among the active analysts.
Classic moments: Ouelette-Hilton I, whenever something he forsaw happening,
happens.
4. Roy Jones (HBO - Analyst - WCB and BAD)
Jones has made very few appearances on HBO broadcasts over the last few years but
his credentials and insight have made him into a very good analyst.
5. Jim Lampley (HBO – Blow by Blow Announcer - WCB and BAD)
Lampley is the feature announcer in the sport but his analysis is either hit or miss. But
he’s been more hit than miss lately as his analysis has made us cringe less than it used
to.
Classic moments: Pre-fight commentary of Naseem Hamed vs. Kevin Kelley,
6. Joe Tessitore (ESPN2- Blow by Blow – FNF) He may be a little overrated here but
he’s a very good announcer and a great set-up man for Teddy Atlas’ outbursts.
7. Harold Lederman (HBO “expert” judge) He gets to talk for about 20 seconds
every other round and usually makes excellent points but sometimes ends up talking
over some exciting action while making a technical point that 1% of the audience cares
about. He rates at #6 because we don’t get to hear too much from him.
Classic moment:
8. Sean O’Grady (FOX sports ring interviews, former analyst USA Tuesday Night
Fights) We hardly ever get to see Sean anymore but since his is still active his body of
work with Tuesday Night Fights places him at #7.
9. Al Bernstien (Showtime- Analyst – Showtime Championship Boxing) Longtime
analyst who used to do the ESPN broadcasts before Friday Night Fights really took off.
He always seems to hang around and turn up somewhere.
10. Nick Charles (ShoBox)
10. Emanuel Steward (HBO – Analyst - WCB, BAD)
He’s taken over Geocrge Foreman's role with HBO Boxing. Steward sometimes takes
the contrary position and instead of backing it up with facts and uses mere conjecture.
Classic moments: Still waiting
11. Steve Farhood (Showtime – Analyst – ShoBox) He’s an educated boxing man
and longtime scribe who has taken pretty well to his work behind the mic.
12. Jim Gray (Showtime – Ring Interviews)
13. Rich Marotta (FOX Sports)
14. Barry Tompkins (FOX Sports)
15. Steve Albert (Showtime – Blow by Blow Announcer – Showtime Championship
Boxing)
It’s taken the boxing fan’s years to appreciate Albert for what he is: A professional
broadcaster with a bad rug. Has separated himself from the rest by referring to the
specific places on a fighter where the opponents punches land. For example: “That
punch from Calzaghe landed directly on Lacy’s earlobe”.
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Contact us at info@theeightcount.com
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