Dana White: Larry Merchant Is Senile, Out of His Mind
by Mike Fagan on Sep 22, 2011 2:00 PM EDT
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After Floyd Mayweather Jr. landed a clean (both in its effectiveness and legality) left hook-straight right combination that put down the headbutting Victor Ortiz, Larry Merchant entered the ring for his usual post-fight shenanigans. He pressed Mayweather on the "unsportsmanlike" blows, which Mayweather deflected ("Protect yourself at all times.") and celebrated ("And that's all she wrote.").
Merchant questioned Mayweather three times about the ending, and sounded like he was phrasing it a fourth way until Mayweather cut him off, telling Merchant he's never given him (Mayweather) a fair shake, he doesn't know "s***" about boxing, and that HBO should fire him. Merchant now famously retorted, telling Mayweather he would "kick his ass" if he were 50 years younger.
UFC President Dana White has let his feelings be known about the fight, ultimately placing blame on referee Joe Cortez for his inability to control the action after the headbutt. White spoke to MMA Fighting about the Mayweather-Merchant altercation following the bout:
"I actually thought that that was very embarrassing for HBO," the UFC president said. "The guy is senile, he's out of his mind. He's up there berating Floyd, but Floyd can't say anything back to you? You've been disrespecting guys your whole career, and guess what, you can go back 60 years, you're not kicking Floyd's ass, okay? Give me a break. And what's Floyd going to do? A 102-year-old guy just said that to him."
Now, I don't think HBO should fire Merchant for this situation. (He should...be fired...for...sounding...like...he would...rather...be...watching...Golden Girls reruns...from...the comfort...of his...home.) But this was a less-than-professional, though hilarious, moment for Merchant. And, in my opinion, it came on the heels of Mayweather saying nothing that hasn't been said by viewers of HBO boxing over the last few years.
Merchant came dangerously close to assaulting a fighter in the ring, his "if I was 50 years younger" qualifier and 1931 birth year saving him from that accusation. Yet, like the Ortiz situation, it's Mayweather who is portrayed as the villain.
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I must be the only one who likes Merchant's confrontational style
He doesn’t take shit from anybody.
by StephenDedalus on Sep 22, 2011 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
He's not confrontational
He’s just an annoyance who commentates with Lampley as they reminisce about the good ol’ days of boxing.
At least once every other broadcast they gotta bring up Jack Dempsey.
I respect your opinion even though it's wrong.
In post-fight interviews he certainly is confrontational. He was on Saturday night.
As for the good ol’ days of boxing, well, probably that’s another reason I like him so much. I love the good ol’ days of boxing.
by StephenDedalus on Sep 22, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Well since he's so confrontational
He should expect to receive a bit of what he dishes out, nor should he be surprised if one of these professional fighters decides to deck his ass.
If your not ready to fight shut your $@&%ING mouth! - BJ Penn
So Larry Merchant should expect to be battered for being a bit mean?
Give me a break.
Real men don't eat honey. They chew bees. - Gilbert Yvel
The dude is a cantankerous relic.
I’m glad Floyd mouthed off to that old coot.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
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-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Sep 22, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Floyd is a giant douchebag.
I’m glad Larry mouthed off to that young-ish tool.
Real men don't eat honey. They chew bees. - Gilbert Yvel
Floyd is an ass, no doubt about that
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Sep 23, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't mind it especially since it wasn't really that close to assault at all.
Real men don't eat honey. They chew bees. - Gilbert Yvel
Merchant has probably never thrown a punch in his life
He was completely out of order in his professionalism.
HBO’s boxing team is a joke. Lampley, Merchant, and now even Kellerman is annoying. Cleveland Brown is the only solid analyst there.
I think it’s more clear than ever that HBO has an agenda against certain fighters and Floyd is one of them. You ever hear how biased they get when Cotto is fighting? It’s like he’s the greatest boxer who has ever lived. Same thing with De La Hoya or any in-house HBO fighter they’ve had in the past.
Showtime is so much better even though they have GuJo.
I respect your opinion even though it's wrong.
HBO’s boxing team is a joke.
They don’t deliver the professionalism you’ve come to expect from Rogan and Goldberg?
by The Ghost of Spike Owen on Sep 22, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
False dilemma is false.
Fight Rankings - I don't know more about MMA than you, but I'll certainly pretend that I do.
Follow me on Twitter @FightRankings
Civil War - I'm with Lowell
by krcampbell on Sep 22, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you know what
goldberg is a shill, but i have to say, rogan does a pretty good job of telling it like it is.
it’s gotten a bit fashionable to rag on him as of late, because of his stupid “humour” and for his quirks (“it’s in deep! oh no, he slipped out.”) i admit that as i got more knowledgable about the sport it’s easier for me to nitpick him.
but compared to just about any other announcer for any other sport, he really is pretty honest – if a fight or decision sucks, he says it does. he also knows what he’s looking at (calling that choke was a good one) and does a good job of breaking down what’s happening if you’re a beginner.
by Clifford J on Sep 22, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
it’s gotten a bit fashionable to rag on him as of late …
Oh no, everybody has always thought he sucked. Go back and check old Sherdog and UG threads.
by The Ghost of Spike Owen on Sep 22, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
rec'd
Rogan is a boss and I can’t stand when he’s replaced by jerks like Florian.
Goldberg on the other hand, say whatever you like…
Don't be scared Gomi...
by ThatsHowIRoll on Sep 22, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Rogan is terrible.
His understanding of the sport is amateurish at best. He sounds like a guy who is a white belt under a good instructor mouthing off about how much he has learned his first day.
Real men don't eat honey. They chew bees. - Gilbert Yvel
by Jonathan. on Sep 23, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Kellerman always was, and always will be annoying
Ever since his days on public broadcasting.
When I'm on the mic it goes down, CINTRON
-Joell Ortiz
by The Lethal Haze on Sep 22, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked when he was on Around the Horn
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Head Kick Legend
I thought Kellerman did a really good job during Maidana vs Morales
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I still like Lampley.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
by Mike Fagan on Sep 22, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
really?
BANG, BANG, BANG for about 10 minutes was too much for me.
I figure that was his attempt at satirizing that horrible stinker of a fight. It’s not like that’s something he says during every fight. I can’t even think of another fight he said that in.
When I'm on the mic it goes down, CINTRON
-Joell Ortiz
by The Lethal Haze on Sep 22, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Larry Merchant is out of his mind, it's true.
He was interviewed at a recent Muay Thai event in Long Beach and said he discovered the sport after “wandering into a shed in Bangkok.” He went on to say it was okay because it had some elements of boxing. Then said that the event had surely already produced its best fights after a couple early knockouts.
I detest Larry.
But he did nothing wrong. He called out Mayweather for being unsportsmanlike (true) – I don’t recall him saying it was illegal (not true).
Floyd was the one who acted like a baby. “Wah, you never give me a fair shake! You should be fired! I’m scared of fighting Manny! Farthammer is sexy!”
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Sep 22, 2011 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
I thought he just kept saying "Farthammer is sexy!" over and over again
by Brandon Starr on Sep 22, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
Floyd was being Floyd. But how you gon’ say you woulda kicked Floyd’s ass? That’s bush league.
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Head Kick Legend
Agreed
At least he admitted it on air a few minutes later. I think he just got caught up in the moment, and reverted back to what he is: an annoying guy.
BOOSH
it’s easy to write an article like this after what Dana said.
Where was the outrage before Dana spoke his mind?
It seems no one can think for themselves and have to rely on Dana to get a clear picture of a situation.
by Rody Diaz on Sep 22, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Dana commenting on it allows you to post it on an MMA blog
It was already on Badlefthook I’m sure.
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Head Kick Legend
Yes, it is easy to write an article about Dana White’s quote after Dana White uttered said quote.
I’ve defended Mayweather this entire time (for instance). I’m not really sure what you’re crying about.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
by Mike Fagan on Sep 22, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Fucking hate Larry Merchant
Always condescending towards fighters he doesn’t like, sucks the energy out of fights with his whining and depressing rants.
Did anyone hear his comments when Floyd entered the arenawith his children before the event started .
Larry called called it a pr stunt by Floyd……….
by Mohammedini Hussein on Sep 22, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yes, he is confrontational, but what’s wrong with that? Why is Merchant getting crapped on but Ariel Helwani is loved by fans because he asks the confrontational questions?
Oh, and what’s wrong with The Golden Girls? Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sofia have always kept me company when I’m home sick.
it is more to Larry then his post fight interviews
He is a horrible commentator who will often complain early in a fight he considers boring.
“I knew this would happen….” and goes on depressive rants in the middle of a fight. He completely sucks the life out of fights with his whining. He is the boxing version of a mma fan who boos when the fight goes to the ground. Honestly boxing fans has been screaming for years to get this guy fired
by Mohammedini Hussein on Sep 22, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Ariel Helwani isn’t really conformational. He asks tough questions, but I think that’s his job.
by discoandherpes on Sep 22, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ariel is a nerd
who’s fight analysis is sometimes off BUT he rarely gives his own opinion. He is never condescending. He might ask a controversial question but he will acknowledge the controversy without bias and let the fighter speak his opinion.
Even when Rampage disrespects him for little to no reason, he keeps a good attitude and laughs it off. No ego.
by RightTriangle on Sep 22, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Helwani does insert his opinion on the internet show all the time. he just doesn’t do that during his interviews. i don’t think he’d be as pushy as Merchant, though.
"The Glen Rice scandal is way out of line w/ the GOP's values. They're interested in fucking black people by the millions, not one at a time"
by Victor Rodriguez on Sep 22, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Its not that he's just confrontational
sometimes he’s legitimately, blatantly disrespectful. Watch him interview Bhop after a middleweight title defense against a mandatory opponent to see what people are talking about.
When I'm on the mic it goes down, CINTRON
-Joell Ortiz
by The Lethal Haze on Sep 22, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Ariel Helwani has never threatened to fight somebody
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Head Kick Legend
This is true… I didn’t say he had… I was only comparing Helwani and Merchant in regard to their “confrontational” questioning.
Plus, if Helwani ever threatened to fight someone, I’d probably cry from laughter.
by Keren on Sep 22, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Do anyone remember his orgasmic reaction when Roy Jones got KTFO by Tarver?
Or how he was overjoyed when Richardo Mayorga TKO’d Vernon Forrest
by Mohammedini Hussein on Sep 22, 2011 2:33 PM EDT reply actions
Mike, do you really not understand why people think Mayweather was classless in this whole thing?
I won’t think any less of you if you honestly can’t see why, but I don’t think there’s much to argue if you genuinely can’t see where the other side is coming from. You can certainly disagree with whether or not it was a “legit” thing to do (both the punch, as well as the confrontation with Merchant as a result) but I think it’s completely fair to disagree with someone punching a man that has his hands at his waist after an apology….
by Brandon Starr on Sep 22, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
There’s a difference between people thinking he’s classless and making him out as a villain in both situations.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Are people that are classless not generally villains?
I don’t care about the whole situation too much either way. I definitely can see both sides though.
Also, as a side comment, I think Merchant is an idiot. He’s kind of a “staple” in boxing though so it’s kind of hard to let him go.
by Brandon Starr on Sep 22, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t watch much boxing, so I don’t really know the history of this Merchant guy. But I will say that he was horrible on the mic, it took him forever to form sentences and say anything. That man is simply too damn old, and slow in the head, to be on TV like that. I get that boxing is proud of its traditions and whatnot, but having a 80 year old senile man doing interviews is not a good way to make the product seem exciting and fresh to younger fans. It was pretty strange for a casual fan like me to see someone so obviously unfit for his job in there in the biggest fight of the year.
I got a good laugh out of the whole Mayweather interview debacle though, that situation was hilarious.
(He should…be fired…for…sounding…like…he would…rather…be…watching…Golden Girls reruns…from…the comfort…of his…home.)
Probably the most accurate interpretation. I’m pretty sure Boxing After Dark is nursing the staff until Lampley, Steward, and Merchant hang it up. But until then, I’lll go with Max Kellerman.
Me > Ben Henderson
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He's not senile.. imo
He’s just an alcoholic who announces drunk. IMO. Boxing’s pessimistic version of John Madden.
I saw a boxing special on FSN where he was interviewed for a documentary, and he was speaking clearly, not slurring his words, and wasn’t using half baked metaphors to try to get his point accross.
that interview is what cemented the idea to me that he commentates drunk.
When I'm on the mic it goes down, CINTRON
-Joell Ortiz
by The Lethal Haze on Sep 22, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions
all in all
the whole thing was pretty good tv.
mayweather was loving every minute of it. that guy is such a heel. he and merchant probably laughed about it together afterwords. the pair of them got more attention than they have in years.
Let's be done with this.
Ortiz is a douche for headbutting Floyd.
Ortiz is a douche for trying to give Floyd a million bro hugs after he obviously was caught.
Floyd is a douche for not waiting to knock out Ortiz, although its difficult to blame him.
The ref is a douche for not paying attention and, ya know, referring the fight properly.
Larry Merchant is a douche for being an instigator.
They’re all douches. It was everyone’s fault, and everyone sucks. It happened, Ortiz got knocked out in a fight he was probably going to lose anyway. Now lets forget about all of this. Floyd will continue acting like a child and having run ins with the law. We can all jump on the (Fighter not named Manny Pacquiao) Bandwagon in Floyd’s next fight.
"I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don't have to."- Albert Einstein
by Tim Bernier on Sep 22, 2011 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Thats cool and all
But we’re talking about how Dana White feels about Larry Merchant and him being a commentator.
Me > Ben Henderson
@KrimsonTVN
DIA2ill.com coming soon....
by Krimson on Sep 22, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Floyd is a douche for not waiting to knock out Ortiz, although its difficult to blame him."
What? Was Floyd supposed to accept ANOTHER non-genuine hug from Ortiz?
I respect your opinion even though it's wrong.
Kellerman is much better at Merchant's job anyways.
Contributor at cagepages.com Come check us out.
Head Kick Legend
by Neil Manich on Sep 22, 2011 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Merchant should've been canned years ago
They would do well to can Lampley as well.
Teams I support: Redskins, Wizards, Nationals. MMA & Boxing fanatic.
Twitter: @StillUnknown85
BANG BANG BANG BANG
He say stupid shit sometimes but with the right commentator partners he is okay.
by Mohammedini Hussein on Sep 22, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Larry Merchant will like a fighter who does the following two things: 1: Show absolutely no defensive ability, take punches flush wherever possible. 2: Address him as ‘Massah’ when he interviews you post fight, and know your place damn it!!!
by sheikybaby on Sep 22, 2011 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
When I first heard about what happened
between Mayweather and Merchant, it sounded like Mayweather was in the wrong and maybe he was to a degree but Merchant wouldn’t drop it. He just kept poking and poking at the issue until Mayweather finally snapped. Yes, Mayweather’s actions at the end of the fight were wrong but Merchant had it coming.
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Larry...Merchant
Really…does…talk…like…this. Thank you…Mr. Fagan…for…pointing…it…out.
Merchant is a play by play guy or a journalist if you want to call him that, his job his to comment on the fight and ask questions, not give his own opinion
There is a reason unwritten rules are unwritten, because they aren’t rules. What Mayweather did was legal and in response to something that was dirty and illegal, Ortiz should know to protect himself at all times, that is his job. How many kisses did he need.
Merchant goes after Mayweather, always asking about Pacquio immediately after he wins, every time. The guy just fought and won, give him a breather or at least wait till the press conference.
No journalist should ever say they are going to fight a combatant, particularly one of Merchants age, and he would never have beat Mayweather so he sounds ridiculous.
Merchant went after Vernon Forest after that fight with Zooka Quartey and to say to a fighter when he is thanking his family, would you like to thank the judges too, is classless, he should have been fired. He has gone after other fighters but when Mayweather questions Merchant, the way Merchant questions fighters, he is suddenly out of line? That is absurd.
You can know a sport as a bystander, but until you have fought, your opinion is secondary and Mayweather is right, Merchant has never fought, it isn’t like Emanuel Steward or Atlas questioning a fighter or even Joe Rogan who has been in competitive combat situations.
Fagan, I think your understanding of assault is a bit off.
Real men don't eat honey. They chew bees. - Gilbert Yvel
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