ESPN's Rafael, Atlas, and Kenny vs HBO's Steward, Merchant, and Lampley. Which trio do you prefer?

Question

Team ESPN

Brian Kenny, Teddy Atlas, and Dan Rafael

VS

Team HBO

Larry Merchant
Emmanuel Steward
Jim Lampley

Who do you find more credible and more accurate in their boxing knowledge? Who has more integrity and principles to boxing matters? Who do you think applies more fairness to their logical reasonings? Most importantly who do you trust?

Answer 1

Before I start, I just want to say that, no matter what people tell you, all of the people you have mentioned know a lot about boxing.



THE BREAKDOWN:



TEAM ESPN:



Brian Kenny

He hosts Fiday Night Fights and had hosted many shows such as Ringside and ESPN Big Fights which all have had many fighters on them and all about those fighters. Therefore he would have accumulated much knowledge about those boxers and boxers in general. His career on Sports Center would have added to his knowledge as well. His whole working life has basically surrounded sports, particularly boxing. He was awarded broadcaster of the year at one point.



Teddy Atlas

He is one the best boxing commentators as well as one of the best trainers in the sport of boxing. What he did to Mike Tyson in the amateur ranks is almost unmatched. He even was trained by Cus D'Amato when he was an amateur boxer himself. Atlas had also trained many great fighters, among them being the likes of Michael Moorer, Mike Tyson, Wilfred Benitez, Shannon Briggs & Barry McGuigan. He is the commentator for Friday Night Fights and judging by his fight analysis's and what he talks about, his knowledge of the sweet science is great.



Dan Rafael

I've seen him in a few interviews, particularly with Brian Kenny and what he says seems like he knows a fair amount about the sport. His prediction aren't always 100% but whose are? Not much else to say about him :)



TEAM HBO:



Larry Merchant

He used to be a sportswriter and is presently one of the best commentators in boxing. Dan Rafael even said he is the best boxing analyst ever. The boxers he commentates on aren't his biggest fans, with many of them having heated arguments with each other. Like the one time after a Floyd Mayweather fight, Merchant asked why Floyd is so boring. Similar occurrences happened with Tyson, Jones Jr and De La Hoya. His psot-fight interviews are very upfront. He doesn't really care what the boxers think about his question, he is just the only one brave enough to ask the boxers what the public actually want to know. This may be the reason for all the clashes he had with many boxers. He has a very vast knowledge of boxing.



Emanuel Steward

Steward was a boxer himself but only fought in the amateurs. He compiled a very good record, which can rival Mayweather's amateur record (Steward's = 95 wins-3 losses). He is currently a trainer and has been for years, with his most successful fighter being the great Thomas Hearns. When interviewed, he also answers thoroughly and truthfully, and always with a lot of knowledge.



Jim Lapley

He has been part of some of boxing's most famous moments. When you rematch the fights he commentated on you always recognized his voice and notable shouting. Remember the Tyson-Douglas upset, I can still remember him shouting when Douglas performed that combi and Tyson went down. "BUSTER DOUGLAS IS THE NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!'



As for which I prefer. I would say I would rather hear from both, particularly Merchant and Atlas.



Good Question!

Answer 2

i know people are gonna rip me for this but I cannot stand Larry Merchant anymore. I think everyone who thinks he is great are people who have been watching boxing for many many years. He was great once upon a time but now he is old and tries to hard to say something deep. Some pre and post fight comments are so forced. Take time and watch and you will notice there are times that Jim Lampley is there cringing. Here's a typical pre fight opening sequence. Jim Lampley gives a quick bio on the fighters and turns to Merchant for his synopsis. Merchant: "Well Jim (5 second pause) this bout (2 second pause) is a young warrior (pause) against an aging... spartan (3 second pause). Sometimes (pause) the young warrior wins (2 second pause). Sometimes, the aging spartan looks more like the young warrior. Sometimes both come out as...come out as winners. And sometimes( 2 second pause) just sometimes, both fighters lose (2 sec) and the only winners are perhaps maybe (4 sec pause) the fans."

Camera cuts to Lampley who has a phony grin on trying to mask his annoyance. " Ok, let's watch this quick video on the two fighters in the ring tonight"

Couple that with Jim Lampley's often inaccurate albeit exciting in-fight commentary and you have that tandem in 2nd place in my opinion. The only thing that I really have to look forward to is nights where Lennox Lewis is NOT there to provide his "no sh!t sherlock" statements (Well, you see there that this guy has been throwing a heap of punches and now, he's tired).



Teddy Atlas knows boxing's ins and outs. His fight break downs are great and he lets the viewers know what's going on in the ring. Brian Kenny does great sports coverage overall. Boxing may not be his strongest suit, but he is a good interviewer and fits well with the team. Only criticism I have of Teddy Atlas (other than him standing awkwardly close to his co-commentators) is that he sometimes he tries to hard to prove a point, like his giving 10-10 rds 3 times in one bout. We get it, judges need to score even rounds even.



Merchant keeps the fighters honest, yes. And he is a legend, yes. But I'd like to see him pass the torch. If Atlas was in his seat and we had say, Mike Tyson instead of Lewis and/or Steward, I'd probably jack off during fights.

Answer 3

I guess they're both about the same. For me personally I like to hear what Atlas and Steward have to say.



I like Atlas because he never bites his tongue, he says what ever he is feeling, and being a world class trainer he has a lot of insight.



I also like Steward, because he too is a world class trainer, and often gives great insight from a trainer's point of view of what strategy the fighters might try or should try. Often he gives more of a professional perspective that you won't get with commentators that have never been in the ring or trained anyone.

Answer 4

I agree with Blogba-something. Larry Merchant is like a drunk uncle...you don't know whether to praise him or be secretly ashamed, but his boxing knowledge is second to none. Emmanual Steward is great too, and Jim Lampley, by far has the best boxing commentary I've heard. He makes everything so dramatic while Larry Merchant during his commentary is straight to the piont, Pac against Oscar De La Hoya "This is getting embarassing!" but his final thoughts, seem to ramble on for about 5 minutes before he gets to what he's trying to say. Lampley: Larry how do you feel about what transpired here tonight? Larry: You know Jim, Shakespeare once wrote in Hamlet...To be...or not to be? That is the question...In historical times, thousands of fans would come to watch their gladiators and it was always a festive event......................(10 minutes of rambling later) so I see it like this....tonight, two gladiators came to show the world........(5 minutes later...) as Jim Lampley cuts him off...: Good point Larry (with a puzzled look on his face).



Plus Larry Merchant pushed away a drunk guy while he was doing an interview which was awesome.



Atlas, Rafael and Kenny are decent. I enjoy Rafael's columns, but I don't think they're on the same level as the HBO team.

Answer 5

Any trio that includes Larry Merchant is the best boxing commentary team you could hope to field, Larry is in a class by himself. I loath Jim Lampley, but Larry carries his sorry @ss and Emanuel Stewart would hold his own with anyone, so Atlas and his two pals are in over their heads.

Answer 6

I like Larry the best and Teddy too.....That would suggest I find the 2 groups credible though in behalf of these two.



Seems like im doing injustice to your Q my friend. Hmmm, how 'bout this trio, Teddy, Larry and Bob Sheridon?

Answer 7

HBO

Answer 8

i like lampley's energy...

i like merchants no bull approach and sarcasm

but i like teddy atlas with those analogies.. that guy is funny!!

emmanuel stewart never gives black fighters their props...( ive thought this for years.)

brian kenny is only entertaining when he is interviewing mayweather

so......... i guess if i could have lampley, merchant, and atlas that would be my favorite

but to answer your question, teddy atlas knows more about the physical aspect of boxing being that he was once a fighter and is a great trainer so his opinion i hold the highest..

dam thats tough!!! i cant choose between the two!!!!!!

Answer 9

I think it's a tad unfair to lump these individuals as groups due to the basic demands of their telecasts. For instance, ESPN has to deal with a fixed time slot and commercials so it limits time available for commentary from their contributors relative to HBO. Brian Kenny's role was simply as anchor/facilitator for Max Kellerman. Traditionally his job was to give highlights, introduce guests and reel in Kellerman/Atlas when time is up and in that role he has done a great job. As for Dandy Dan Rafael I think most writers should stick to writing and I am never overly enthused about what he has to say on television. Guy shows no passion and no talent for broadcasting! In terms of color commentary i believe Teddy Atlas is the best. His pre-fight analysis is accurate and his description of failures,triumphs and efforts of fighters in-fight are spot on and without reservation. I think Jim Lampley is a sub par play by play man that got by with descent looks and solid voice. As others have mentioned he is frequently wrong in his calls and commits one of the 7 deadly sins in broadcasting every event (steps over his color analysts). Emmanuel definitely has the knowledge and at times kicks in real nuggets that most people miss, and Lampley ignores, but by no means is he at the same level technically as Teddy Atlas.



Winner

Play by Play- ESPN

Color-ESPN

Interview-HBO: Unfair advantage ESPN, due to ratings & quality of fighters, cant afford an in-depth interview after main event

Answer 10

I particularly like several of these guys, but my overall pick is Teddy Atlas/ Brian Kenny. Love it when Atlas demonstrates the technique of each fighter pro or con. Lamprey is just a director of audio traffic. Merchant is a starving actor, trying to put every scenario into a play and Steward is a true gentleman just picking up a well deserved paycheck.

Answer 11

I prefer HBO, Larry Merchant, Manny Steward, and Jim Lampley are an awesome trio. Very entertaining. ESPN is credible too just not as exciting to watch and listen to.

Answer 12

let me make this clear: larry merchant does not know SH1T about boxing



best announcers



emmanual steward

max kellerman

teddy atlas

george foreman



teddy in my opinion has the most knowledge of boxing itself but maybe not the politics. for politics of boxing refer to max kellerman.



i like big george foreman because hes not afraid to basically shut larry merchant up

Answer 13

Dude Atlas is the best! He's the John Madden of boxing!