Fighter’s fight. Commentators do what they have to do. Everybody does their own respective job when working in such a couragous and pulsating sport as boxing. But let’s be honest. Some of it can be predictable to sit through. No, I’m not talking about the fights! It is what is said from those in which the attention is focused on in a given moment.
It is a certainty that fans will have heard something said by a particular boxer at least a couple of times a month after watching fights, whether they are on a major or minor scale. Not that much of it can be helped. But it can grate on one’s nerves when interested parties have put in many hours of their lifetime to become familiar enough to know what is going to be said, or whether what has been said is even faithful to the language that a word has been used from! (That last part will probably only affect those with severe dictionary OCD.)
This editorial is going to explore words and phrases that are often said either all too frequently or are irksome in some way.
“Shots”
Yes, everybody elects to use this word to describe a punch that either lands or is thrown. Even commentators! But if you are a purist of the Oxford dictionary then it can be irritating to realise that commentators, the ones that are supposed to accurately inform you of the going on’s, will not select a word that is more appropriate. One particular definition that is closest to using sports for the word “shots” lists several sports….apart from boxing.
Saying a punch is a projectile for an explanation does not really work since it is most commonly referred to as something shot from a firearm or is some kind of missile.
It is a pretty safe bet that most people won’t mind or care either way, though. So, don’t mind me and my compulsive nature.
“A-side” and the “B-Side”
Juvenile is the only word to describe the above two in the heading. We all know that they originated from the modern day great, Floyd Mayweather. And this is what happens when boxers themselves take over the business landscape of boxing. But it seems those words have a rather strong sense of influential power because many not associated with Mayweather are using them to conduct their own business.
Thanking God
This is an old one but it is still often used by a fighter after their hand is raised. And some who even lose! It has all become rather cliche and heavily anticipated just after Larry Merchant has finished asking his first question in post fight interviews. For several seconds, you sit there impatiently waiting for the usual interview opener to pass in order to gain some kind of substance in regards to that epic classic you may have just watched. In fairness, this seems to most commonly occur after American fights, and around 80% of Americans are Christian, so it all makes sense.
The Foreseeable Response To The Question Of What A Fighter’s Plans Are After A Fight
This particular question posed is normally one of the last to round out an interview, but again, you just seem to know what is going to be stated. “Back to the drawing board” and “Taking time off for a while” are two sentences that are said in response most commonly. That is not the fighter’s fault. In fact, it’s not even the interviewer’s because a lot of the masses who don’t spend their time looking at old black and white footage of, say, Joe Gans, probably are not familiar with what we, the devotees, are experienced in hearing time and time again.
“Talk To My Promoter” – When A Boxer Is Asked Who He Wants To Fight Next
When pushed, a boxer may come up with a name or two of somebody that he would like to fight next, or if he or she is passionate enough they will take it upon themselves to say who. But telling us all that he or she will have to see what their promoter can come up with is one line that is uttered most frequently. And it is logical, too, unless a combatant promotes themselves. But it can become tedious to hear the same again and again for those that are familiar with the way the business side of the sport works.
