By Rob Soucy
After having been involved in professional boxing for about 15 years, and in many different facets, I consider myself an insider with good knowledge of the sport. One of the most underrated jobs is that of a good ring announcer. The most important aspect of the job is not to look and sound good, but rather to really understand their job at the end of each fight. There are many different scenarios that can arise in a boxing match affecting its outcome. A very good ring announcer is one that understands the exact outcome, how it came to be, and most importantly what needs to be said to correctly convey it to the audience.
Depending on the outcome, there is a correct and incorrect way and order for a ring announcer to read scores. It is very important that they understand that, especially for an audience of an important televised event. However, 90% of fans attending or watching any given boxing match would not be able to distinguish between a ring announcer who does the job correctly and was who does not.
The single most important job of a ring announcer is to NOT give away the result of the bout before reading the last of the three judges scorecards. Unfortunately, because of how Jimmy Lennon chooses to announce scores there are instances when he gives away the result after reading the second scorecard, and here is how. Fighters, managers, media, television networks, and most importantly ring announcers pay attention closely because you all can learn something here.
First of all, let me preface this by stating that I think Jimmy Lennon is terrific at what he does, but because of a flaw in his style there are instances when he gives away the outcome of a bout and kills the drama. Jimmy Lennon ALWAYS precedes reading scores by stating whether the decision is split or unanimous, which is the root of the problem. If it is neither Lennon will go directly to reading the scores without saying anything prior.
Herein lies the problem, there are many instances but I am going to focus on the December 7th bout between Sakio Bika and Anthony Dirrel. Lennon was the ring announcer for the event aired on Showtime.
The fight went the distance and I will paraphrase Lennon’s reading of the cards.
‘After 12 rounds of boxing we go to the scorecards.’ Now, at this point I know that the decision is NOT split or unanimous because if it was Lennon would have told us so. So there are three possible outcomes of this bout, a majority decision for either fighter, a majority draw, or a split draw. Lennon goes on to say….
‘Judge Don Trella scores the bout 114-112 for Sakio Bika, Judge Joseph Pasquale scores the bout 116-110 for Anthony Dirrel.’ If you are following me here, you are understanding the problem. At this point I know that the third card is EVEN causing the bout to be a draw. 99.9% of the audience is in suspense including the fighters themselves, but, Jimmy Lennon has already spoiled the outcome for me. Remember, if this bout was a split decision Lennon would have told us before he begun reading the scores, as he has always done for many years. Sure enough…. ‘Judge Glenn Feldman scores the bout 113-113, this bout is EVEN, a draw!”
Now that I have let you all in on a secret, I am hoping that this comes across your desk Jimmy, and you choose to forgo telling your audience whether the decision is unanimous or split before you read the scores. Because in doing so, and probably without even realizing it, you give away the outcome!!!!
