In this video clip….USA Network’s Jim Hall introduces the boxing broadcast team for the upcoming Muhammad Ali verses Trevor Berbick fight…..as legendary boxing commentator Don Dunphy is accompanied by equally legendary referee Davey Pearl…..along with well-respected welterweight contender Randy Shields.
Don Dunphy (July 5, 1908 – July 22, 1998) was an American television and radio sports announcer….who specialized in boxing broadcasts….where he was noted for his fast-paced delivery and enthusiasm for the sport. It is estimated that he did “blow-by-blow” action for over 2,000 fights. The Friday Night Fights were broadcast every Friday evening from (radio and television from 1939 to 1981 from 9pm to 10:45pm on ABC. In 1984, Dunphy was part of the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame’s inaugural class which included sportscasting legends Red Barber, Ted Husing, Graham McNamee and Bill Stern….where he was also a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. He was elected in 1986 to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. Dunphy was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1988….and had a memorable cameo appearance in the 1971 Woody Allen movie Bananas. He appears as the commentator in the 1977 biopic of Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest”. He also called all of the fights in the 1980 United Artists film Raging Bull….which was directed by Martin Scorsese. In 1982, he won the Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcasting Journalism in boxing….plus he is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Davey Pearl was born in Las Vegas, Nevada….and grew up sneaking into boxing matches held in Vegas as a kid…..who later became a professional boxing referee….who was in the ring for over 76 world championship fights….including Leon Spinks’s historic upset of Muhammad Ali in 1978…..as well as Sugar Ray Leonard’s 14th round TKO of Thomas Hearns in 1981….who was Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame “Expanded Category” (Referees + Judges + Timekeepers).G ASIDE:
Randy Shields was super lightweight boxer out of North Hollywood, CA…..whose career spanned from 1974 to 1990….in which he won 41 lost 9 with 1 draw….while going up against the best super lightweights and welterweights in the world to include Pete Ranzny….Sugar Ray Leonard….Thomas Hearns….Pepino Cuevas….Milt McCrory…..and Johnny Bumphus…..who appears with Don Dunphy and Davey Pearl in this video seen herewith…..as they analyze the upcoming Muhammad Ali vs Trevor Berbick fight that they will be behind the mikes for the telecast.
