ITV Coverage: How Did We Rate It?

by hazharrison Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:15 pm

I thought Pougatch was his usual, dependable self. Al Bernstein was pure class as always and Haye was a decent pick for ringside analyst.

I don't recall the big fella's name doing lead commentary but he was excellent - with none of the Watt-Halling-type histrionics.

What did you think?

by Herman Jaeger Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:17 pm

Yeah not a bad presentation all round.

by **hampo17** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:20 pm

Ronald McIntosh was the commentator, can't remember who on here and an infatuation with him.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:23 pm

That would be JBW Hampo, the coverage on ITV has always been top notch in fairness.

by TopHat24/7 Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:28 pm

Personally I still think there was a tad too much home-bias and a little fawning. Ring interview could've been better. Haye wasn't bad, but did nothing for me really. Problem is there's no other Brit that really fits the bill (talented, successful, enough personaility). Would've said Groves previously but he's got too whiney recently...

Miles miles better than Sky though still.

by **hampo17** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:30 pm

I can't imagine it was easy interviewing Quigg in the ring Toppy, he looked like a deer in the headlights.

by TopHat24/7 Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:37 pm

hampo171 wrote:I can't imagine it was easy interviewing Quigg in the ring Toppy, he looked like a deer in the headlights.

Totally, but that's not what I was getting at. Felt there could've been a bit more push back to Barry's fawning, they were a tad too accommodating.

All in all there's a good team I think/hope ITV will carry this forwards into the future. They certainly got a lot of positive feedback on Twitter, wonder what the viewing figures did.....

by Derbymanc Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:37 pm

Thought it was very good, nice to hear them give credit to Avalos from some of the bigger shots he landed.

Thought Quigg looked a tad angry to be honest but would have looked to have seen Frampton pushed on how much he wanted a piece of Rigo to be able to really call himself the best.

by ONETWOFOREVER Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:45 pm

I thought ITV did a poor job.

Al Bernstien stood out but he is class.

Bugga-tech is pointless.

Why did ITV get an Irish jockey to give expert analysis

And David Haye has a fat face.

by ONETWOFOREVER Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:49 pm

hampo171 wrote:I can't imagine it was easy interviewing Quigg in the ring Toppy, he looked like a deer in the headlights.

Haha yeah Quigg let himself down.

So many of these fighters go down the self promoting route and smeg it all up.

Let the promoters do the talking.

by **hampo17** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:51 pm

The fight peaking at 1.9m viewers, and averaged 1.1m through the card.

by Derbymanc Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:54 pm

Is that good or bad Hampo?

by **hampo17** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:56 pm

No idea, probably not bad considering the lack of advertising for the show.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:56 pm

Froch vs Pascal pulled in 2.7mil so hard to gauge really.

by Derbymanc Mon 02 Mar 2015, 12:57 pm

11pm, saturday night (I'd forgotten it was on till I saw it mentioned on here midweek picard

)

Sounds quite good to me to be honest, hopefully Bazza will come out and let us know what he thinks.

by wheelchair1991 Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:11 pm

I really enjoyed it especially the commentary . Miles better then boxnation on the night

by TopHat24/7 Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:16 pm

OneTwo on hate-mode this morning I see, one of his conspiracy theories get blown up over the weekend......?

by hazharrison Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:42 pm

hampo171 wrote:The fight peaking at 1.9m viewers, and averaged 1.1m through the card.

Really? Not great. Galahad and Fury were pulling in close to that initially (subsequent boxing has dropped off to around 0.5m if I recall).

They'll have been hoping for much bigger than that.

by **hampo17** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:43 pm

C5 advertised their fights from memory though Haz, don't remember seeing one advert for this fight on ITV.

by hazharrison Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:46 pm

hampo171 wrote:C5 advertised their fights from memory though Haz, don't remember seeing one advert for this fight on ITV.

Yeah, advertising was poor. I only saw two (while watching footy).

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:50 pm

Ronald McIntosh puts this whole business to shame. His only downfall is he makes everything look tacky by comparison.

Found Haye's insistence that Rigo wouldve been decked on the way to a points win against Avalos a bit shameless.

by Guest Mon 02 Mar 2015, 1:54 pm

John Bloody Wayne wrote:Ronald McIntosh puts this whole business to shame. His only downfall is he makes everything look tacky by comparison.

Found Haye's insistence that Rigo wouldve been decked on the way to a points win against Avalos a bit shameless.

Given Rigo was dropped last time out and given Frampton's style, it's not the most far-fetched opinion a pundit has ever had

by Group Cpt Lionel Mandrake Mon 02 Mar 2015, 2:08 pm

I actually thought the commentary was pretty crap. Ronald McIntosh sounds like he's reading an autocue that's running too slowly and Al Bernstein sounds like he should be commentating on Robot Wars. Still better than Jim Watt though.

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 02 Mar 2015, 2:14 pm

Amasaga was the biggest super bantam I've ever seen. Rigo's footwork and accuracy would've chopped down Avalos unless Avalos just forgot about defense against Frampton but would improve massively against Rigo.

Mandrake you need demoting.

by milkyboy Mon 02 Mar 2015, 2:59 pm

Its no good having Ronald Mac commentating if you can't see his face. They should have a Ronald icon in the top corner of the screen when he speaks. I don't mind him... Anything is better than halling. Can't someone who shows boxing re-sign Ian darke though.

Pougatch is a decent anchor, Bernstein a bit of a caricature of himself for me but adds colour. All told, not bad

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:03 pm

What a man:

by **88Chris05** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:12 pm

My favourite of all JBW's defences of and odes to Ronald, which came about when one delinquent referred to him as 'too ugly for TV' a few years ago.

"HEY.

You don't know what you're saying. Who are you to judge what is beautiful and what is ugly?

Why shouldn't a towering, obelisk of a dome be considered commendable, attractive, or even sensual?

So a man's eyes don't point in the same direction? Why should it matter, when they contain nothing but benevolence?

His mighty jaw is the human equivalent of an angler fish: he lures his prey in with the enthusiasm in his mighty grin, then destroys them with his enormous jaws and unbreakable teeth, before taking it home to feed his relatives on easter island.

LEAVE RONALD ALONE! I'M SERIOUS!!"

by **88Chris05** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:15 pm

The point in which John asks why Ronald's dome can't be considered commendale, attractive or even sensual is actually forcing me to supress laughter even now.

by AdamT Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:18 pm

Terrible viewing figures. Bet if it was a useless UFC card, it would of pulled a hell of a lot more.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:21 pm

Adam, is that a serious or a sarcastic comment?

by AdamT Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:22 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Adam, is that a serious or a sarcastic comment?

Serious. I was expecting at least double that to be honest! Perhaps it will need a bigger fight like Frampto and Quigg to get good figures.

by Guest Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:25 pm

Is ITV boxing going to be a regular thing?

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:26 pm

It's all relative, only 33% down on what Froch was drawing on and that was from memory at a slightly more sociable time and more heavily promoted off the back of Calzaghe. You are also aware that UFC has a smaller audience than that in America so in this country would be pulling insignificant numbers.

by AdamT Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:29 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:It's all relative, only 33% down on what Froch was drawing on and that was from memory at a slightly more sociable time and more heavily promoted off the back of Calzaghe. You are also aware that UFC has a smaller audience than that in America so in this country would be pulling insignificant numbers.

Does it really?? Was under the impression that UFC was huge. To be honest I have no idea because I hardly watch it unless McGregor is on, as I have absolutely zero interest in BJJ or wrestling.

by **Seanusarrilius** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:34 pm

I thought it was an excellent broadcast all around. Would have like to have seen a bit more of a lead in to the fight, but otherwise no issues. I didn't see if there was a build up to this on ITV as I live overseas, but the viewing figures were a little underwhelming for me. That said, with a proper build up, the Quigg fight will double those figures and more.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:36 pm

UFC has had only one PPV of more than 1mil since 2010, it's interest is dwindling, the new wave haven't adequately replaced Lesnar, Hughes, Liddel, Couture or GSP. Boxing is still substantially bigger than UFC is in America and the only saving grace the latter has is that it's cheaper.

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:38 pm

Chris I like you so I'll give you another chance but as I said to stroongy, do not laugh at me. Especially when I let myself be so vulnerable in defense of something I love.

by Guest Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:38 pm

AdamT wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:It's all relative, only 33% down on what Froch was drawing on and that was from memory at a slightly more sociable time and more heavily promoted off the back of Calzaghe. You are also aware that UFC has a smaller audience than that in America so in this country would be pulling insignificant numbers.

Does it really?? Was under the impression that UFC was huge. To be honest I have no idea because I hardly watch it unless McGregor is on, as I have absolutely zero interest in BJJ or wrestling.

MMA is popular worldwide but its only really America & Brazil where it makes mainstream tv. How much MMA do you get on mainstream tv in the UK and how much on SKY? Not A lot I would imagine, there arn't that many big names to create the interest. I would be very surprised if MMA/UFC were to out sell boxing whether at the gate or on viewers.

by AdamT Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:38 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:UFC has had only one PPV of more than 1mil since 2010, it's interest is dwindling, the new wave haven't adequately replaced Lesnar, Hughes, Liddel, Couture or GSP. Boxing is still substantially bigger than UFC is in America and the only saving grace the latter has is that it's cheaper.

I believe UFC are showing too many ppvs. Like I said, rarley would I bother to watch it. I understand grappling is a skill as I have praticed it before but I hate watching it.

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:42 pm

Hammer I think you need to put a NSFW warning on that lust-inducing link you posted.

Can you imagine how safe it would feel to nuzzle against his indomitable skull as he cradles your limp, helpless body in his warm arms?

I do love a good pair of warm arms.

by AlexHuckerby Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:44 pm

John Bloody Wayne wrote:Ronald McIntosh puts this whole business to shame. His only downfall is he makes everything look tacky by comparison.

Found Haye's insistence that Rigo wouldve been decked on the way to a points win against Avalos a bit shameless.

Think you misheard, he said he would have won a points decision and probably wouldn't have knocked him out and mentioned that he got knocked down in his last fight.

by Guest Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:45 pm

AdamT wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:UFC has had only one PPV of more than 1mil since 2010, it's interest is dwindling, the new wave haven't adequately replaced Lesnar, Hughes, Liddel, Couture or GSP. Boxing is still substantially bigger than UFC is in America and the only saving grace the latter has is that it's cheaper.

I believe UFC are showing too many ppvs. Like I said, rarley would I bother to watch it. I understand grappling is a skill as I have praticed it before but I hate watching it.

I'm not sure how many ppv's they do per year but there was a time they almost had 2 'big' cards per month but as time went on they wern't stacking the cards as much, the headline fight, a support fight and the rest appeared to have no big names. Hammer makes a good point about the new wave not replacing the old adequately

by AdamT Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:46 pm

sohotnot wrote:
AdamT wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:UFC has had only one PPV of more than 1mil since 2010, it's interest is dwindling, the new wave haven't adequately replaced Lesnar, Hughes, Liddel, Couture or GSP. Boxing is still substantially bigger than UFC is in America and the only saving grace the latter has is that it's cheaper.

I believe UFC are showing too many ppvs. Like I said, rarley would I bother to watch it. I understand grappling is a skill as I have praticed it before but I hate watching it.

I'm not sure how many ppv's they do per year but there was a time they almost had 2 'big' cards per month but as time went on they wern't stacking the cards as much, the headline fight, a support fight and the rest appeared to have no big names. Hammer makes a good point about the new wave not replacing the old adequately

It is funny how an ex pro Wrestler (with limited fighting ability) has been the biggest star.

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:48 pm

If he wasnt talking in that incomprehendable Swedish/Turk accent he's pretending is natural to attempt to convince people he's cultured we wouldn't be in this dreadful mess

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:48 pm

Haye, I mean

by milkyboy Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:53 pm

John Bloody Wayne wrote:Hammer I think you need to put a NSFW warning on that lust-inducing link you posted.

Can you imagine how safe it would feel to nuzzle against his indomitable skull as he cradles your limp, helpless body in his warm arms?

I do love a good pair of warm arms.

...And perhaps also a PG rating for those of a nervous disposition.

by Coxy001 Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:55 pm

Thought it was a decent broadcast. I like the lead commentator (did the Olympic boxing commentary from memory?), says it how it is without shouting "he's joost throoooowing arrrruuummmmm punches" (and then said arrumm punch promptly knocks seven shades of Poopie out of the other bloke).

Not a shade on the guy who did the American commentary for Tyson vs Bruno I "Tyson gets nailed with a left hook, Tyson looks wobbly". Probably my favourite lead commentator of boxing. Can't remember his name though, killed a few brain cells this weekend (may potentially be at zero now)

by milkyboy Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:57 pm

Never mind his commentary coxy. Do you find his dome sensual?

by **88Chris05** Mon 02 Mar 2015, 3:57 pm

Barry Tomkins, Coxy?

by Guest Mon 02 Mar 2015, 4:04 pm

AdamT wrote:
sohotnot wrote:
AdamT wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:UFC has had only one PPV of more than 1mil since 2010, it's interest is dwindling, the new wave haven't adequately replaced Lesnar, Hughes, Liddel, Couture or GSP. Boxing is still substantially bigger than UFC is in America and the only saving grace the latter has is that it's cheaper.

I believe UFC are showing too many ppvs. Like I said, rarley would I bother to watch it. I understand grappling is a skill as I have praticed it before but I hate watching it.

I'm not sure how many ppv's they do per year but there was a time they almost had 2 'big' cards per month but as time went on they wern't stacking the cards as much, the headline fight, a support fight and the rest appeared to have no big names. Hammer makes a good point about the new wave not replacing the old adequately

It is funny how an ex pro Wrestler (with limited fighting ability) has been the biggest star.

Not really, Lesnar already had a big fan base, so switching over he brought his fans, same as if he went into action movies. Aside from WWE, Lesnar had a fantastic real wrestling background and is a very good athlete, I think he played American football for a year before 'pro wrestling', there was a lot of interest in how he would do in MMA from US sport insiders. Also remember stars are made by promoters & broadcastors despite how good they are at whatever they do. Look at Rigo & GGG, 2 good boxers with great amateur backgrounds, top of their respective divisions and quite possibly top ten p4p and nobody outside the hardcore are interested!

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