Mailbag: Master MCs
After doing a column last week on legendary boxing announcer Col. Bob Sheridan, I began to think about all the great announcers I've heard call fights.
Since I haven't heard Sheridan on a regular basis, he's not in my personal Top 10. But counting down from No. 10, here are the boxing announcers, both color guys and play-by-play, whom I've enjoyed listening to the most.
Your 10 may vary.
10. Tim Ryan: He did a lot of boxing on CBS, as well as some pay-per-view shows. He was a knowledgeable guy who kept up with the action and managed to work his partners in well.
9. George Foreman: George would often say goofy things. He would repeat himself incessantly. But there was something about him that made a broadcast fun.
8. Al Albert: Very professional and prepared, as all Albert brothers always are/were, he made even the preliminaries on USA Network's "Tuesday Night Fights" seem like a big deal.
7. Larry Merchant: Nothing subliminally tells you it's a big fight more than hearing Merchant rhapsodize at ringside.
6. Al Bernstein: He can do play-by-play or analysis equally well, and mixes in excitement and professional in the proper doses.
5. Steve Albert: He was smooth and professional, stayed up with the action, and clearly respected the sport.
4. Barry Tompkins: His call of "How do you like it? HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?" during the Sugar Ray Leonard-Marvin Hagler fight still sends chills down my spine when I hear it.
3. Howard Cosell: He made every fight seem like Ali-Frazier I, and he probably would have been No. 1 on this list had he not gotten so bitter and attacked boxing toward the end of his career.
2. Jim Lampley: He can be a homer, but he gets you into a fight like few others ever have done.
1. Marv Albert: There was nothing better on a Saturday afternoon than sitting in front of the television and hearing Marv going on about Frank "The Animal Fletcher" or Johnny "Bump City" Bumphus.
And with that, let's get to this week's mailbag. My answers to your questions and comments are in italics. Also, please remember to follow me on Twitter. Feel free to send me mailbag questions via Twitter as well.
PACQUIAO-MAYWEATHER A SOLID CHOICE
With Manny Pacquiao nearing his retirement, I think it would be wise for him to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Shane Mosley, each of whom has a solid fan base. I think a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight would be a blockbuster even if Mayweather loses to Marquez.
Ray R.V.
Manila, Philippines
A Pacquiao-Mayweather fight would be big regardless of what happens in Mayweather's fight with Marquez, but it wouldn' bet nearly as big as it would be if Floyd wins. If Mayweather wins, you have the former No. 1, who is unbeaten, going against the current No. 1. They'll be ranked 1-2, in some order. Let's assume Mayweather dominates Marquez and stops him. I think some folks – perhaps more than just some – would change their vote for No. 1 and put him there, considering he was a unanimous No. 1 before he retired. Now, if Marquez wins, a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight wouldn't be nearly as big as a Pacquiao-Marquez fight would be. In that scenario, you'd again have No. 1 vs. No. 2 and on top of that, you'd have the argument that some would make – that Marquez deserved to win one or both of his fights with Pacquiao.
UP NEXT FOR PAVLIK
When is Kelly Pavlik's next fight? I have been looking all over the Internet trying to find the date.
Greg G.
Naperville, Ill.
Pavlik was set to face Sergio Mora on June 27 in Atlantic City. However, the fight was canceled because Pavlik has a staph infection. Top Rank president Todd duBoef said Tuesday that he's going to talk to Pavlik manager Cameron Dunkin this week to try to finalize the fight for sometime in the fall.
UNFAIR CRITICISM OF FLOYD
I read a very interesting article about Pacquiao fighting Miguel Cotto, perhaps at a catch weight of 142 pounds. The Cotto camp would reject that quickly, if it hasn't already been rejected. I heard one of Pacquiao's advisers say, "Let Cotto struggle to make weight." If they were to fight at 142, it would mean to me that Cotto would be dehydrated from losing so much weight, like Oscar De La Hoya was, come fight night. The same goes for Shane Mosley. Pacquiao beat Oscar at 147 pounds, so if Team Pacquiao really feels and the win is "for real," why not face Mosley at 147? Being No. 1, you can dictate terms. You can pick your opponent and the circumstances. But why does Floyd Mayweather Jr. get heavily criticized for this while Manny Pacquiao isn't?
Mel D.
New York
I think the answer is simple, Mel. Pacquiao is moving up and asking men to meet him at a catch weight because he's a much smaller fighter. Mayweather is a bigger fighter and is clearly a natural welterweight. So if Pacquiao fights Cotto or Mosley, they'd clearly, clearly, clearly be bigger men. Mayweather, though, chose to fight Marquez, who has never fought at welterweight before, and he forced the fight to be at a 147-pound limit. Now, I understand it's his first fight back after a lengthy layoff, but he's getting criticized because this is a far less risky fight for him than a Cotto fight, say, would be for Pacquiao. If Mayweather came back and called out Mosley, or Paul Williams, or if he said he wanted to fight super middleweight champion Carl Froch, no one would be criticizing him. But he's a welterweight facing a lightweight. That's why he's being criticized.
WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE?
How come there hasn't been more of an uproar about Miguel Cotto and his only loss, which was July 26 to Antonio Margarito? I have watched boxing for a while and used to love Margarito, but what he did [by getting caught with illegal hand wraps before his fight with Shane Mosley] killed a small portion of the sport in my mind. He first robbed a man of an unblemished record and the loss has unfairly hurt his pound-for-pound rating. He beat Sugar Shane (very close) and in my eyes the loss to Hands of Stones should be a no contest. Just let me know what your thoughts are?
Patrick
Shreveport, La.
No one has presented any evidence that Margarito's wraps were loaded when he fought Cotto. I know Cotto believes that, and, frankly, I have my own suspicions, but there is zero evidence to make that claim. You can say that he probably did, and I wouldn't argue, but without proof, the result can't be overturned. If any, ahem, concrete proof is presented, I think the result would change.
LITTLE FLOYD OVERRATED?
Mayweather is the most overrated fighter in the world. He's only popular because of his win over Oscar De La Hoya. Before he fought Oscar, he was nothing. Fans notice him because of his mouth. He talks too much, just like his father, and that's what the fans like. To me, it's like watching a soap opera. He fought an aging De La Hoya and he won by a split decision. Pac-man made the aging Oscar quit.
Anton
San Jose, Calif.
You mean, he was nothing before Oscar despite an unbeaten record and world titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds? Oh, and a No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking, as well? Is that what you mean by nothing? You Pacquiao fans have got to chill. Manny is great. But he's not the only fighter who is great and he's not the only one who has accomplished great things. Open your eyes. And before I get deluged, no, I don't hate Manny Pacquiao and no, I'm never, ever, ever answering another question from anyone about why I hate Manny. It's getting ridiculous, folks. I'm getting tired of the persecution complex Pacquiao fans seem to have.
COULD MARQUEZ WIN?
Considering Floyd Jr. will probably be rusty, what are the chances Juan Manuel Marquez wins their upcoming fight on July 18? I think Marquez wants to win this fight because he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao again. He's still can't accept his defeat over him in their last fight.
Eldz P.
Makati City, Philippines
It's possible he could win, but it's a long shot. Mayweather is the bigger fighter and the faster fighter. He'll have the bigger punch. Marquez is a very accurate puncher and is a smart, resourceful fighter, but he has a lot of things to overcome.
Can’t get enough of Kevin Iole’s mailbag? Then check out last week’s edition.
