http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2016/09/26/stephen-a-smith-to-debut-as-boxing-analyst-for-pacquiao-vargas-ppv-card-nov-5/ESPN’s controversial commentator Stephen A. Smith will make his debut as a boxing analyst on Nov. 5 with a quadruple title fight, pay-per-view card headlined by Manny Pacquiao’s return against WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
With Top Rank handling its own pay-per-view card, the promotional giant need to come up with a notable broadcast team. Top Rank President Todd duBoef said recently that team would be a big surprise, and he was certainly right on that call.
Longtime boxing broadcaster and current MLB network host Brian Kenny will handle the blow-by-blow action, while Smith will be the color analyst and Charissa Thompson of Fox NFL Kickoff will host the broadcast.
Joining them will be former two-division and five-time world champion Timothy Bradley, who has fought Pacquiao three times and has defeated both Pacquiao and Vargas. He will provide color commentary and inside information on both fighters. Top Rank’s Crystina Poncher rounds out the team as a roving reporter.
“We wanted to give the viewers a different perspective that informs and entertains and I think we have accomplished that with this fantastic team,” said duBoef. “It’s a great combination with Brian, one of television’s top TV announcers, color commentary from Stephen A. and Charissa ‘s balanced hosting style. The expert analysis from Tim will round this out perfectly as he is considered one of the best fighters in the world and has secured victories against both Pacquiao and Vargas.”
I'd assume that's enough to get him stripped and make Wlad/Fury more attractive as a title fight.Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who pulled out of an Oct. 29 rematch with former champion Wladimir Klitschko last week for unspecified reasons, has been notified that he tested positive for cocaine.
Saw an article that they're trying to make Wlad/AJ, which would be a better fight. I'm also insanely excited for Lima-Walter. November could be a great month for the sport.I'd assume that's enough to get him stripped and make Wlad/Fury more attractive as a title fight.
Completely misspoke/typed. I meant Wlad/AJ which would be awesome.Saw an article that they're trying to make Wlad/AJ, which would be a better fight. I'm also insanely excited for Lima-Walter. November could be a great month for the sport.
Oh gotcha. And yeah, Fury was stripped.Completely misspoke/typed. I meant Wlad/AJ which would be awesome.
Loma/Walters has the potential to be a really great fight. Almost worth this slow September-October.
I thought that was John Daly for a second but he's a use case you can certainly point to.
What time would you estimate the main fight to be?Pacquiao/Vargas is tonight. Vargas is game and Pac is still a fucking legend so it should be a good scrap. Donaire and future star Oscar Valdez is also on the card. Should be a decent card.
Only downside...it's non HBO/Showtime so one of the ppv analyst will be Stephen A Smith
What do you think Garcia's upside is? I love the power and chin, but he's a bit sloppy And short reach of course. Though all the top hws have flaws right now and power is a great equalizer. I'd like to see him step up but I imagine the other guys will wait him out a year or two and hope he declines.Marciano, two one sided fights on today. Danny Garcia and Luis Ortiz (on now actually). It'll help you get your mind off the election
I assume you meant Ortiz? I don't know if it's upside because he's so old to me he's already at his best. Flaws noted, he has the spirit and style of a weight class or two below him. He comes to fight in a slow and plotting division. I think that, same for Wilder, covers up a lot of flaws.What do you think Garcia's upside is? I love the power and chin, but he's a bit sloppy And short reach of course. Though all the top hws have flaws right now and power is a great equalizer. I'd like to see him step up but I imagine the other guys will wait him out a year or two and hope he declines.
Useless GGG factoid, he started camp this week even though he has no fight schedule.Only like 6 GGG mentions in a heavyweight fight. Not bad.
Ward is so fucking dirty.