With the self-proclaimed ?Face of Boxing? in hiding, plagued by a multitude of personal and legal problems, I ask the question: Who is the voice of boxing?
Back during the Muhammad Ali era the most powerful media voice of boxing was Howard Cosell. Cosell had presence and a voice that automatically added credibility and excitement to the sport, or any sport, for that matter. When Howard Cosell was at ringside for ABC Sports or Wide World of Sports, the intensity and vehemence of his voice commanded you to listen, to want to hear what he would say. He made the fights seem better than they really were.
Even now, on ESPN Classic, whether it?s a nostalgic baseball or football game being replayed, if I hear the voice of Howard Cosell, I must listen to his verbal genius.
Today, sadly, boxing does not have a voice as powerful or nearly as influential as Cosell?s. Sure, Larry Merchant, Emanuel Steward, Bob Sheridan, Teddy Atlas, Jim Lampley, Antonio Tarver and many others are all very good at what they do, but let?s face it, they can?t touch Howard Cosell. It?s not even close.
All is not lost though. For every problem, there can be a solution, something that the creative minds at HBO can consider. It?s a creative idea, so please read on.
There are several sports commentators from other sports who are highly respected, who can be utililized on a part-time basis to help boxing develop a stronger ?voice.? There are other famous, talented sportscasters out there who aside from their own respective sports, are huge boxing fans and could gladly lend their vocal chords and quick wits for the betterment of the sport of boxing.
John McEnroe, the most respected and influential voice in tennis is a gigantic boxing fan who, according to my sources, not only loves boxing but has interest to do some part-time boxing commentating. To have John McEnroe as a part-time guest commentator for big HBO fights and HBO pay-per-view events would certainly add a huge dose of credibility and much-needed media attention to boxing.
I believe the presence of a very intelligent and knowledgable star and champion like John McEnroe would add a fresh new exciting element to the HBO telecasts, as well as stimulate and bring out the best in the current team of Bob Papa, Emanuel Steward, Max Kellerman and Jim Lampley.
There are also other TV personalities from other sports who are huge boxing fans and can also be invited to commentate on boxing for HBO. How about Charles Barkley. Michael Irvin. John Madden. Magic Johnson. To name just a few.
How cool would it be to listen to John McEnroe, John Madden and or Charles Barkley add their insights and observations to a super fight like Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao?
Let me tell you. It would make the event even better and more interesting.
Again, no offense to Kellerman, Lampley, Steward and Merchant. They all do their jobs well, they are all talented. But none of them are voices that transcend the sport, like Howard Cosell?s did.
Boxing needs a voice, a new voice.
Things can always get better. With the current state of boxing, the way it is (we don?t have to go over all the problems) changes, improvements, improvisations should always be considered and experimented with.
A boxer always has to work to improve his skills, by taking on new challenges, continually testing himself, trying new moves, new strategies, new ideas. Once the boxer stops improving and becomes predictable, it?s just a matter of time before the opposition passes him by.
The powers that be and the TV networks who promote and market the sport also must incorporate the same open-minded, creative philosophy to how they televise boxing, as the boxers do in the gym.
If they do not, it?s just a matter of time?
