(CNN Philippines) — Before an actual boxing fight goes down, the boxers are introduced in glamorous fashion.
The introduction itself is a unique spectacle. It’s a scene we’re all too familiar with.
You see the immaculate ring decorated with bright colorful lights dropping from the top, surrounded by thousands of hostile fans anxiously waiting for the match to begin.
You hear the respective national anthems of the boxers being sung as the screen projects live images of the fighters inside their respective locker rooms.
One comes out first. He makes his way to the ring with his entourage flanked by his side. He climbs through the ropes and starts loosening up. Not too shortly, the second one follows.
Then, it happens.
The moment that sends shivers down everyone’s spine – the ring announcer begins his spiel.
Combining talents
The role of a ring announcer is to introduce the fighters, announce the rules and winner of the match, or the decision if the fight goes to the scorecards.
Normally, a fight only requires one ring announcer. But since the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is arguably the biggest bout in the sport’s history, one wouldn’t be enough.
On May 2 (May 3 PHT), HBO ring announcer Michael Buffer and Showtime’s Jimmy Lennon Jr. will introduce their respective fighters – the same way they did 13 years ago.
Buffer and Lennon previously shared announcing duties back in 2002 – the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson heavyweight championship fight. Buffer introduced Lewis, while Lennon introduced Tyson.
This time, with a joint pay-per-view deal in place, Buffer will bring Pacquiao to the ring and Lennon will make the introduction for Mayweather.
‘It’s Showtime!’
Even if his dad was a famous ring announcer back in the day, Jimmy Lennon Jr. didn’t plan on following his footsteps.
But eventually he was convinced by his father to take on the same profession.
Lennon learned his craft under the tutelage of his dad and announced his first fight in 1981. The first mega-bout he announced was in 1990, the upset victory of Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson.
He began working for SHOWTIME Championship Boxing in 1991, where he started adopting “It’s Showtime!” – a catchphrase that fit him like a glove fits a boxer.
Lennon brings a certain class to ring announcing – he’s a professional showman who is admittedly obsessive about the proper pronouncing of a fighter’s name.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013, a year after Michael Buffer.
‘Let’s get ready to rumble!’
Everyone knows who Michael Buffer is. He is the voice behind “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
With his slick tuxedo and well-known phrase, Buffer is considered one of the most popular faces in the world of sports and entertainment.
But strangely enough, it wasn’t his idea to become a ring announcer.
It was his son who urged him to enter the business when, in 1982, the ring announcer of a fight they were watching at home misread a decision.
But he didn’t have his famous hook right off the bat.
In an interview with HBO years back, Buffer admitted he tried out different phrases – like “fasten your seatbelts” – before sticking with the one he is now widely known for.
The hook skyrocketed and has become synonymous with major boxing fights. The phrase became so popular he obtained a trademark and copyright for it.
“Let’s get ready to rumble!” is the quintessential fight horn.
Buffer has announced many of the biggest championship boxing fights, as well as many other internationally televised sports and entertainment events.
He’s a huge fan of boxing and one can see his passion transcend through his voice every time he steps into the ring.
In 2012, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Two great boxers, two great announcers
The job of a ring announcer isn’t as easy as it appears. Becoming a vital piece of all the pageantry and glamor that completes the intense atmosphere on fight night is a tough task.
Their mission is to bring flair and elegance, while withstanding the spotlight and aggression of the crowd, moments before the gruesome fight takes place.
Buffer and Lennon are two of the best in the business.
But who’s the better ring announcer?
You know, it doesn’t really matter. What we do know is that on May 2 (May 3 PHT), two of the biggest figures in boxing history will go head-to-head in what could end up as the greatest match of all-time.
And a fight as big as Mayweather-Pacquiao will definitely need two of the most recognized voices to call out those names.
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