BoxRec News talks to TV's Andy Kerr
For aficionados of the sweet science, boxing commentary teams are almost as important to the programme coverage as the boxers themselves. Appraisals of various commentators are often polarised. Actually, the topics of ‘Who is the best commentary team?’ or ‘Which commentator is most annoying?’ have been so comprehensively covered by boxing fans on various online sites that new threads on this topic risk being met with some derision. For it has all been said before.
For those unfortunates who do not meet the approval of the online boxing fan, be braced for passionate uninhibited opinions, often interspersed with industrial language.
In this context, how is Andy Kerr viewed? Anecdotally, I have seldom heard or read a bad word about Andy Kerr. In contrast, there have been many accolades and terms of endearment, including ‘The Kerrminator’ and ‘Andy 'The Reason' Kerr’. In short, Kerr has likeability.
He also has versatility. Andy Kerr has been in the world of sports presenting and reporting for some ten years, boxing fans will be most familiar with Andy from his days at Setanta were he presented on the Bunce Boxing Hour and reported on numerous live shows. More recently, the versatile Andy Kerr has crafted the role of roving reporter to great effect for top boxing shows on ITV and more recently, the fledgling Primetime TV channel. During this time, Andy has interviewed an impressive array of boxing talent and been granted extraordinary behind the scenes access at top boxing marquee events. Most notably, perhaps, was the recent interview with Carl Froch in the limousine en route to the stadium for the recent Froch-Dirrell fight. In our exclusive interview, we learn more about this experience and much more.
Andy, you have covered football and live boxing for ITV and Setanta Sports News and the Boxing Hour magazine show for ITN. Which sport do you prefer to cover and why?
Wow, talk about starting off with a tough one! I know this is a cop out but I really love covering both equally. Honestly, for me there's no greater job than sports reporting and presenting. In terms of football, it's something close to my heart because my Dad and Grandpa were both big football fans from Perth in Scotland and took me to matches as soon as I was out of nappies! I've also played every Sunday since I was nine so I suppose I've been immersed in football longer than boxing. But there's nothing quite like covering a mega world title fight. The anticipation and excitement is immense and, as a broadcaster, what I really love is that fighters know their success depends not just on ability but marketing too. You can be the best around but if the public don't like you it's very hard. Therefore, I find boxing people far more accessible and from that point of view as a broadcaster it definitely makes boxing more enjoyable.
Andy, you seem to have the roving reporter role down to a fine art. How does this role compare with the anchor role which you crafted so well on Setanta - do you have a preference?
I don't know about fine art, but I just try to have fun. I watch so much live sport on TV I just try to do the things that I enjoy watching myself. I think reporting and anchoring are both vital parts of the show. I love being in the main seat. When it's your job to hold the whole show together it really keeps you on your toes. Then again, being backstage, talking to people like Calzaghe and Froch just moments before a world title fight? That's the biggest privilege in this job.
The screening of the Froch v Dirrell fight last weekend heralded the birth of the new PPV Channel, Primetime TV. On the show you had exclusive access to Froch’s entrance to the stadium and in his dressing room. How is it, interviewing a world-class boxer moments away from a world title fight?
Carl was fantastic and that just illustrates my point about access. Riding in his limo to a world title fight. It may have been done before but I can't remember when. Giving that level of access to the viewers certainly sets down a benchmark for others to follow. He was a little bit nervous but not half as much as I'd expected. His brothers were there with him and even when we weren't recording it was still very relaxed. I'm from Newcastle and Carl's football team Nottingham Forest had beaten Newcastle earlier that day. The Froch boys were more interested in dishing out the football banter than being nervous. But the true value of it was to give the viewers the feeling of seeing, not just the fight they'd paid for, but also that whole experience of being with Carl all the way. I hope everyone enjoyed it and I managed to do it justice.
Just as an aside, a few years ago I was covering Uefa Cup football and I'd been filming an English team training for a game abroad. After the session our taxi didn't show up so the cameraman and myself were stranded about five miles from the town centre. I mentioned this to the press officer of the club and asked if we could get a ride back into town on the team boss. No filming, it was just to help us out. You should've seen the look we got. Needless to say we had to wait for another taxi! That just sums up the difference between the two sports.
During your time at Setanta you covered countless top boxing bills, what bill was the most enjoyable to cover and why?
We did some cracking fights with Setanta, Even now I look back at it all so fondly, I don't know how you top some of those nights. Martin Lindsay v Paul Appleby for the British title in Belfast always stands out because of the atmosphere in the hall. It was like a bear pit in there. I love a really intense atmosphere to add to an occasion. The 02 in Liverpool for Tony Dodson v Tony Quigley was a cracking atmosphere too with a strong undercard followed by a city derby main event. But for me Madison Square Garden for Calzaghe v Jones was fantastic. It was my first trip to 'The Garden' so that was special even before you add in the enormity of being there to see Joe's last ever fight.
What were the most memorable moments during your time at The Bunce Boxing Hour (on-screen and off-screen)?
God, where do I start? I loved every show. We had brilliant guests, a small, but brilliant team behind the scenes and the fantastic interaction with our viewers meant I looked forward to every Thursday.
As for memorable moments - Derek Chisora was the only boxer to come in wearing sunglasses. He left them on for the entire show! I asked him if he was a fan of David Haye to which he replied, " Andy, the question should be is he a fan of Derek Chisora?"
Enzo Calzaghe interviews were always memorable. He certainly kept us on our toes with the bleep button!
And how can I forget the day they showed a picture of my new baby girl, Jemima, on the show but called her The Bunce Baby. I don't know who was more shocked - Me, Bunce or my wife!
Which boxers did you most enjoy meeting and why?
I'm probably a little biased towards Tony Jeffries. He lives ten minutes away from me so I always like to see him do well. He's a genuine guy too so I always enjoyed having him on the boxing hour. I try to get along to his fights now. David Haye was very charismatic. James DeGale was great TV. I remember he started talking about himself in the third person once. We gave him so much stick I don't think he's done it again! Michael Watson was inspiring. We were very lucky to get some great guests in. I'm biased but I think it was the best boxing show on TV.
What upcoming British prospects have caught your eye?
George Groves is well known in boxing circles but I don't think he has the public awareness of a James Degale or any of the Olympians yet. But he will soon. He's a fantastic talent in what is a fantastic domestic division, the super-middles. I saw a cracking junior called Tommy Ward last night. I think he's about 15 and won silver at the Europeans. His big brother, Martin, is an unbeaten pro and Young Tommy has some seriously fast hands. He'll be one to watch. Keep an eye on him over the next few years.
Which boxing commentators and pundits do you rate both domestically and in the US?
I have to say Buncey here really, don't I? Can you imagine what he'd say next time I saw him if I didn't say he was the best pundit out there? Some people love him, a few don't get him but he's, without doubt one of the most knowledgeable and passionate people I've ever worked with. John Rawling and Richie Woodhall are obviously my commentary dream team having worked with them at Setanta but again I've been really lucky to work with some great people at ITV, Setanta and now with Primetime. I like Duke McKenzie as a co commentator. Barry McGuigan breaks down a fight really well, and, my big mate Glenn McCrory is great. I also listen to Radio 5 Live a lot, so have huge respect for Mike Costello. But the important footnote here is that although those of us in front of the camera take the plaudits the teams who work behind the scenes, the producers, directors, editors, are the ones who really give our programmes that slick production and again I've been lucky to work with some of the best in the business.
Who are your favourite boxers on the domestic and world scene?
The usual suspects. I love watching Manny Pac. Even before he hit the mainstream here he was probably the most exciting boxer to watch. I can't wait to see him face up against Cotto and, hopefully, Floyd. I can't wait to see Carl Froch in action again. He and Kessler are made for each other. Neither will take a backward step. I love watching Amir Khan and David Haye too for the same reason. Both are fantastic offensively but have proved suspect defensively which, for me, is the perfect combination for an exciting fight.
Tell me a random fact that readers would not know about Andy Kerr!
Hmmmm...I could give you a million mundane facts that would probably bore you. How about this ...I've been in the TV business for about ten years but my extended family is very much involved in it too. My wife, Siobhan, is taking time out from her career to look after our baby girl at the minute but she's a TV news reporter. My brother-in-law, Daniel Casey, is an actor. He's best known for playing Sgt Troy in Midsomer Murders. And my father-in-law, Luke Casey, has been in the business for 40 years.
We've worked together over the summer making a film for Camelot, the company that runs the national lottery. We're in the process of setting up our own production company so if anyone has any filming projects coming up, look us up... we could soon be working together!
