Paulie Malignaggi’s performance in the commentary booth on Saturday night didn’t go unnoticed.
While Sky Box Office had the Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker PPV this side of the Atlantic, Showtime broadcast the fight Stateside.
With the fight in Britain headlined by a British champion being covered by an all-British panel of Adam Smith, Johnny Nelson, Carl Froch and Tony Bellew, there were concerns about regional bias from Sky. Considering Bellew admitted after the card that he acted unprofessionally during the co-main event, these fears were warranted.
To ensure hearing balanced coverage of the fight, some folks sought out the Showtime broadcast. The vast majority of those who were able to tune into the American commentary were impressed with what they heard. Mauro Ranallo and Paulie Malignaggi’s performances in the booth, in particular, were received very well.
Play-by-play commentator Ranallo impressed folks with his impassioned criticism of the horrendous refereeing of the headliner. Once the man in the middle disrupted the fight for no valid reason, Ranallo reacted like any boxing fan would.
"Joshua follows up with a right hand AND WHAT THE HELL IS THE REFEREE DOING?" — Showtime announcer Mauro Ranallo
This REF IS AWFUL! #joshuaparker
— Aram Tolegian 🇺🇸 🇦🇲 (@ChemicalAT) March 31, 2018
"What the hell is the referee doing?!" – Mauro Ranallo #JoshuaParker
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) March 31, 2018
Whereas Malignaggi brought a little more expertise to his role very different. While Ranallo’s job was to tell the story of the fight and occasionally entertain, Malignaggi provided analysis in real time.
His explanation for the different jabs Joshua utilised, which he went on to reference in his victory speech, was one of many things fans appreciated about his offerings. Joshua pretty much said after the fight that his jab was a major factor in the victory, but those watching at home already had a good grasp of why it was so effective because of Malignaggi’s breakdowns.
Paulie Malignaggi is an excellent boxing commentator.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) March 31, 2018
Damn, Malignaggi is good. #boxing
— Lyle Fitzsimmons (@Fitzbitz) March 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/Konnor_Smith/status/980190600367673345
@PaulMalignaggi your explication of difference in jabs was amazing, been watching boxing since Ali vs Spinks and have never heard that, that’s what makes you great
— paul arnold (@viking780) March 31, 2018
@SkySportsBoxing need to sign @PaulMalignaggi full time. Its always a breath of fresh air when he provides fight analysis
— TKO Pundit (@TKOpundit) March 31, 2018
