I've written on several occasions about my dislike of Fight Night.
I don't like the concept of amateurs with no skills at defense receiving a beating.
I don't like the broadcast with the same stale gags and the four-man team of announcers all going "OHHHHhhhhhh" whenever a blow is struck, and you can't tell what has happened and they all talk over each other anyway.
And I don't like the thought that the first time someone gets seriously hurt in the ring -- I know, it hasn't happened in all these years -- it could go very hard for The Ticket.
Of course, I don't really expect to have any influence on things like this to begin with, so the survival of Fight Night isn't all that disappointing. I conceded defeat in last year's column on the subject.
So this year, I'll content myself with pointing out something of which the Ticket hosts seem unaware:
Laurence Cole is not a good boxing referee. He is very poorly regarded in the profession. His father "Dickie" Cole held a number of high posts with Texas and boxing organizations, and promoted Laurence's refereeing career with plum assignments, or so it has been reported. His performances in the ring have been roundly (NPI) criticized, and he has even been suspended from officiating bouts in Texas. His poor ring command is regarded as dangerous for boxers. Check it out:
Laurence Cole Called Out by Boxing Writers
But The Ticket seems to think it has a legitimizing presence with Cole in the ring. It doesn't.
Hope everyone gets home safely and with brains intact tonight.
