MR SMOOTH

AFTER four decades as a ringside commentator, John Rawling probably didn’t expect to face any new challenges. Covid-19 has changed everything and since British boxing returned to BT Sport in July, Rawling has been commentating without a crowd.

“The difference is that, because there’s a lack of crowd noise, you have to be more animated,” said Rawling, described as ‘The Smooth Voice of Boxing’ by Steve Bunce and chief commentator for BT Sport since the channel started showing boxing in April, 2017.

“You need to project yourself a bit more. There are good things about it. You hear the reaction of the corners better and their instructions.

“Sometimes I think television can sanitise boxing, but when there isn’t a crowd making a noise, you can hear just how hard these guys are hitting each other.”

The sound reaches Rawling, who has been sitting around 15 yards from the ring at both the BT Sport studios in Stratford and the York Hall where Frank Warren’s shows have been