The boxing announcer, also known as a ring announcer, acts as the emcee for a boxing match. In most cases, the announcer will introduce each boxer to the audience, providing relevant information about the fighter. An announcer also works closely with a boxing judge or referee, and frequently informs the audience of those officials’ decisions. It is not uncommon for a boxing announcer to conduct short interviews with boxers before or after their time in the ring on television broadcasts.
In many cases, the boxing announcer will go over the basic rules of the match for the benefit of both the boxers and the fans who have gathered to watch the fights. When the event is broadcast live on television or radio, the announcer may also serve as a commentator, keeping the audience up to date on what is going on in the ring. Because of this increased responsibility, announcers must now have voices that are clear, crisp, and easy to understand over the din that usually accompanies any boxing match.
A stipulation is something that a boxing announcer will often say at the start of a match. This is essentially laying out the rules for winning the match. If the announcer says the match is scheduled for a single fall, it means that if either of the boxers is disqualified, pinned to the mat, or counted out, the match is over, even if there are still several rounds to go.
When a boxing match is finished, the boxing announcer’s job is to formally announce the referee’s decision before the winner is declared official. The boxing announcer will confer with the judges, receive their final decision on who has won the match, and make the announcement to the contenders and the assembled crowd of fans if the match continues for all scheduled rounds without a ruling from the referee.
A boxing announcer may develop a fan base similar to that of the boxers themselves over time. Some announcers become favorites of both boxers and fans, and they are in high demand to call important fights. A skilled boxing announcer can easily have a career that lasts several decades, providing a lucrative income as well as the opportunity to meet and interact with notable boxers and other fans of the sport.