Promoter recalls Cosell’s role alongside Muhammad Ali before calling him difficult late in career
Bob Arum praised Howard Cosell’s role in boxing during the 1970s while criticizing his behavior later in his career. The longtime promoter pointed to Cosell’s work with Muhammad Ali before describing how the relationship became difficult.
During an interview reflecting on boxing history, Arum praised Cosell’s chemistry with Muhammad Ali and the role he played in helping elevate the sport during the 1970s. But Arum also admitted the relationship with Cosell became more difficult over time.
“Howard Cosell was great for boxing,” said Arum to The Sports Page with Bob Case.
Arum then shifted sharply when discussing Cosell’s later years.
“Later on, he became like a monster,” Arum said. “He was a real jerk.”
Older fans remember Cosell as one of the few boxing commentators willing to openly criticize fighters, promoters, referees, and even the sport itself during live broadcasts. His direct New York style made him different from the smoother, more protective television personalities of that era.
That bluntness was especially visible near the end of his boxing career during Larry Holmes’ one-sided 1982 title defense against Randall “Tex” Cobb. Cosell openly criticized the mismatch throughout the broadcast and sounded increasingly disgusted by the punishment Cobb absorbed over 15 rounds. Shortly afterward, Cosell announced he would never call another professional boxing match again.
Despite their famous chemistry, Cosell was also openly critical of Ali later in the heavyweight legend’s career as his skills declined. Rather than becoming angry, Ali often seemed to enjoy the verbal battles with Cosell, creating one of the most unusual and compelling relationships in sports television history.
Arum also shared one of his favorite stories involving Cosell, recalling how the broadcaster once jumped out of a limousine and began commentating a real street fight in St. Louis until the fighters stopped because they were distracted by him calling the action
