Who is the most perceptive boxing commentator?

By Bob Smith - 07/08/2014 - Comments

By Bob Smith: I tend to ignore the hype and build up for other sports like soccer, basketball, football, etc., but boxing build up and hype is in a league of its own. Part of it is the individual nature of the sport, part of it is the attraction of gladiatorial combat and war that appeals really to all of us at a basic level.

Shows like Showtime All Access, HBO 24/7, and Face-off with Max Kellerman have really attractive propaganda, that I find so good, it is even interesting after the fight.

But who analyzes future matches and the matches as they occur best? I realize that this category is somewhat broad, and will include trainers, commentators, former and current boxers, professional boxing writers and so forth.  Of course, each have strengths and weaknesses unique to their respective professions, but I bring all of this up because like many, I have the burning question – who will win and why? – when there is a major fight. I’ll list some of my favorites and why I consider them to be the best analysts, and then mention some other ones as well.

#1 Dan Rafael – for me, he is the most knowledgeable, experienced, insightful and well-rounded of the boxing commentators. Of course he has a genuine love for the sport, as do many, but more than this, he has a very good understanding of the business part of boxing, how fights get made and why, and this in turn really informs his judgment on who will win and why. I strongly favor the ESPN pound for pound list over the Golden Boy/Ring Magazine pound for pound list, and in my opinion his division rankings are the most accurate online – not flawless of course, but no one I think covers all of the major divisions in a more balanced and thorough way. Whenever any fight comes up, I am always really curious as to see how Dan Rafael sees it, because typically he is right more often than not, and even when partly wrong, he is very insightful.

#2 Jeff Mayweather – probably has the best opinions of any trainer I have ever watched, and of course not only about Floyd, but about other fighters in other divisions. Of course, it is probably tough to separate one member of the Mayweather boxing clan from the others in this, but Roger Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather don’t give the interviews that Jeff Mayweather does, are not as clear and articulate, and maybe even if they are better trainers don’t have the grasp of the sport that Jeff Mayweather does. So, I would say the Mayweather family/Jeff Mayweather is my next go to source for valuable insights into a fighter or a fight.

#3 – Andre Ward – he of course is both a boxer and commentator, and is the #2 pound for pound boxer in the world of course. He speaks from experience, and though he lacks the physical gifts of truly elite superstars such as Floyd Mayweather or Roy Jones Jr., his undefeated record is earned the hard way, through gritty inside fighting, superb footwork, and ring generalship likely second only to Mayweather. He is gifted as a fighter of course, but in my opinion has a better understanding of the sport than any fighter currently fighting, save for Mayweather, and this really shows in his opinions and commentary.

Honorable mentions, in no particular order

Freddie Roach – it is impossible not to mention him, but he is also a promoter and trainer as well, so often his pronouncements need to be taken with a grain of salt. And, while he is one of the best trainers in the sport, if not the best, I just don’t see how he has won so many more awards than other competent trainers. So, though he is insightful, I would say not as much as the other three.

Virgil Hunter – same as Freddie Roach in his bias towards his own fighters and against opponents, but despite having some big name fighters, other than Ward, though he has improved them, oftentimes lingering weaknesses remain.

Able Sanchez – is a truly balanced and charitable individual whose opinions inside and outside of the middleweight division are quite valuable. He makes an excellent team with GGG as both of them are very talented and insightful and accomplished, but also modest and genuine.

Robert Garcia – is always a valuable source of opinion, and one of the very best trainers in boxing, as evidenced by his work with Mikey Garcia and Maidana. He has a deep knowledge of and experience with the sport comparable, though not in the same league, as the Mayweather family.

Pauli Malignaggi – is an extremely skilled technician, who, probably more than anyone in the sport, has completely maximized his physical and economic potential. He is wonderful to have as a fight commentator, because he sees things most of us don’t see as the fights go on that are really critical stylistic and technical features of the fight.

Steve Dougie – has a really good grasp of the sport from a technical point of view, one of the best actually, if not the best, from a boxing writers point of view. On the other hand, he tends to give deference to the promoted favorite, and he often disrespects Mayweather, but all in all he is one of the best.

Other commentators, such as Teddy Atlas, Steve Kim, Roy Jones, George Foreman, etc. are also helpful though in my opinion not as much as the above. Please let me know if I am missing anyone, or who you feel is most helpful when thinking about how a fight will go down.



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