Rookie adds voice to breakout fight night
BOXING: In sport, actions speak louder than words.
But where would we be without commentators?
Imagine watching the Tour de France without legendary commentator Phil Liggett, can anyone man the mic like Ray Warren and has the AFL been the same without Bruce McAvaney?
And if Simon Hill and Craig Foster’s raw emotional call of Australia’s 2005 penalty shootout over Urguay doesn’t give you chills, are you really a sport fans?
Commentators add colour and life to the drama that is sport and this Saturday Toowoomba’s Joel Stower will look to do the same when he emulates his heroes.
As part of the Semi Pros team Stower will commentate the Locked Down Lights Up card that will be beamed out to an international audience.
“I come on to run the desk (at Smithy’s TGW Gym) in 2011 not long after the floods when Brendon was still over in America,” Stower said.
“I’d met Brayd (Smith) at uni and he was looking for someone to run the desk while he had a training run and did some of the classes.
“From that it has grown, I even had a few fights myself and I’ve been around ever since.
“Brendon, myself and James have been mates for a long time.
“I remember the first show, it was James’ first show as ring announcer, Brendon’s first ever show in March 2012 and the first time I’d ever been involved in organising a boxing show.
“And now it’s grown to this – James ring announcer again, me and James doing the commentary – it’s special to be able to grow together like that.”
Stower’s friendship with Brayd grew after that chance and it has fuelled his passion for boxing and his support of Brendon and his gym following the tragic death of Brayd from a brain injury sustained in 2015 boxing match.
“A big part of my passion and why I’m always going to be involved in boxing is because I want to make sure Brayd’s legacy is carried on,” Stower said.
“Boxing was a big part of our lives and I’ll never lose sight of that.”
Behind the mic Stower will draw on his knowledge and experience of boxing in an effort to add to the action in the ring.
“It (boxing) is a one-of-akind sport,” he said.
“It’s not too often you see someone who has to be smart enough to play a game of chess, fit as a runner and strong as a bull all in sport; I just love it.
“And then there are the vastly different styles (of fighter) that come along with it.
“Hopefully I can offer a little insight into why things are happening in the ring, why a fighter might be getting caught by an uppercut or what it’s like to be stuck on the ropes – how it all feels.
“I’m looking forward to it.”