Friday Night Fights

Posted by Bill Scherer Feb 3, 2008

Last night's edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights entertained from beginning to end. Monty Meza Clay took it to Eric Aiken from the opening bell of their featherweight bout until :39 of the seventh round when the referee had had enough Aiken doin' the bobble head from Clay's punches.

The undercard was great too, but what I enjoyed the most was Roy Jones Jr's knowledgeable and insightful commentary. Boxers, as a rule, make horrible expert commentators. No matter how knowledgeable a fighter is, there is no guarantee that he can call a fight from ringside.

Like a good teacher, an expert commentator needs to take what he observes, apply what he knows, and synthesize that information--distill it, really--so that the layman understands. Roy nails it. Even for a guy like me who has been around the sport in some capacity for over three decades, Roy made it all seem fresh.

What's fascinating about his ringside observations is that his comments reveal his fundamental knowledge of the sport and complete command of boxing technique, yet he is commonly criticized, if not berated, for his lack of proper technique in the ring.

What boxing "experts" need to remember is that Roy was a world class amateur boxer. One doesn't become a highly decorated amateur without understanding proper technique. He simply chooses to be unorthodox as long as it suits his purpose. Watch the eleventh round of his fight with Trinidad. (You do have Tivo or DVR, don't you?) He gives a master class on the jab during that round.

When Roy finally puts down the gloves, I hope someone is smart enough to sit him behind a microphone. He could have a second Hall of Fame career behind the mic if he wants it. Or maybe as a trainer...