Why commentary bias is holding British boxing TV coverage back

British television boxing coverage has a lot to be proud of. From the sheer volume of domestic and international fights now broadcast to Brit fans, to the slick production values, to the fantastic extra dimension of coverage via shows such as Ringside and Behind The Ropes, boxing on the box is in rude health on these shores.

However, there’s one area where the same cannot be said. It’s something that has alarmed, frustrated and even turned off pockets of fans every time it happens. And, unfortunately, it’s what modern coverage could end up being remembered for.

A great recent example was last weekend’s rematch between Jorge Linares and Anthony Crolla. For the second time, Venezuelan Linares outclassed Britain’s Crolla. Nobody watching at home thought Crolla was a total stiff in the fight. In fact, many respected his determination and desire. But it was clear over two fights who the better boxer and deserving lightweight champion was.

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Had you listened to the Sky commentary for either contest, however, you may have sworn blind they were watching something else.

“Sky sports commentators logic: Crolla did slightly less s**t that round, that’s a Crolla round,” said one tweet last week. “Funny watching British fighters on Sky. Crolla takes three consecutive uppercuts, commentators discuss how brave he is,” said another.

Back in September during their first meeting, such backlash included: “If Paulie Malignaggi wasn’t commentating on that fight the British commentators would have said Crolla was robbed,” and “Need to sort out the completely biased commentators on this Crolla fight, embarrassing and cringeworthy.”

Crolla is a Matchroom fighter. Matchroom has had a monopoly on Sky television for the last five years. It comes as no surprise that the channel do what they can to preserve the image of their boxing provider’s main fighters – win, lose or draw.

If you ask anyone in PR, they’ll tell you that there is indeed such a thing as too much spin. If you are so blatantly towing a company line from what is supposed to be an objective position, your credibility suffers.

It begs the question: would it kill Sky to dial down the over-protective treatment of their “investments” just a little bit?

Sports fans aren’t blind. And it is possible to strengthen the image of a boxer on commentary whilst at the same time acknowledging that the grass is green and the sky is blue. When said boxer is someone like Crolla, it should be especially easy to highlight his qualities whilst still being honest to your audience and admitting that he is very much second best to a worthy titlist.

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Not only that, but thanks to the constant use and/or accusations of ‘alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’, we currently live in a very delicate time for mainstream coverage in general.

It’s one thing when reality TV stars elected to office shout such phrases from the top of their lungs, but sport is supposed to be the ultimate sanctuary from such aspects of life.

If you remove the delusions from Sky boxing coverage, you’re left with a fantastic package. If there’s any justice, those making such decisions will see the light and give us exactly that one day in the not-too-distant future.