By
Joe Rein
Fightworld.us Exec. Editor
The camera doesn’t lie. If you’re not genuine, TV
audiences spot it immediately and you’re gone. Jimmy
Lennon, Jr., who brings fans to their feet with,
“It’s Showtime!” has been a ring announcer for 25
years.
He barely looks older than that in person, and
instantly brings to mind his dad, Jimmy Lennon,
California’s voice of boxing for over 40 years. In
build, fair skin and straight thatch of rust-blond
hair.
I’ve heard an actor say if a celebrity wants to be
recognized, he will be. If he doesn’t, he won’t.
Lennon doesn’t generate the need to be noticed. He
was absorbed, taking notes in front of the dais
before the Trinidad-Wright press conference started
at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. There’s
not that something that puts one off. He’s
as instantly accessible as an old friend.
We spoke for a few minutes.
Q: When you
got started, where you always being compared to your
dad, and what was the moment you made your mark on
your own?
JL: I’m never disappointed when I’m compared
to my father. He was a great man and a great
announcer. I still feel I’m learning. It’s been a
long process. More and more people want me to do
their fights. I found myself in demand. Getting paid
is a further confirmation, absolutely. It’s monetary
symbol of that recognition.
Q:
Besides
boxing, what other events do you do?
JL: I do a lot of events: martial arts, and
some others, as well. At one point, I was doing
over 100 shows a year, at least two a week. I’ve
traveled as much as 200,00 miles a year. My goal is
to do fewer fights, but bigger ones.
Q:
How much
prep do you have to put in?
JL: Experience helps. It reduces some of
the time. I show up early and interview every
fighter, if he’s on TV or not. I’m big on
preparation. I hope it translates into doing a
better job.
Q:
What fights stand out most in your memory?
JL: Julio Cesar Chavez fought Greg Haugen
in Mexico City. 135,000 people showed up – an
unbelievable event. Some of the fights in
Europe have been terrific, too. The soccer frenzy
brought to the fights in England. The event that
really stands out for me – it was so odd --
unfortunately, is when Tyson and Holyfield
fought and the ear bite took place.
Q:
What was
the biggest gaff?
JL: The closest to a big gaff was when
Jessie James Leja fought Azuma Nelson.
They gave me the wrong score, with Azuma Nelson
winning. Actually, it was a draw, so I had to come
back and make the announcement. It looked like I
made the error, but I didn’t.
Q:
When people see you in the street, do they think
they might have gone to school with you or maybe
know you from someplace else?
JL: Yeah, I get everything. I get a lot more
recognition in a fight city. At the same time I can
walk around the streets and be anonymous. So it’s a
nice combination. People look at me and wonder:
Where do I know you? It’ll click in. Sometimes in
surprising places: In Bali, walking around in
street clothes trying to bargain with sellers, they
said, “Hey, boxing boss! “
One time in the Olympic Auditorium, I was doing the
Jorge Luhan-Lupe Pintor fight…. so, we’re
talking the ‘80’s. Pintor won. The fans were so
excited and happy, they had a riot. They stormed
the ring. It became a serious thing. I backed out
of the ring into the crowd.
Guys are running and throwing punches. They stopped
and looked at me: “Hi, Jimmy, how’ya doin’?” Then
they went back to their mayhem.
Q:
Do you ever
get butterflies?
JL: I’ve never been nervous doing fights. I
get excited… I get a focus of concentration. In big
fights … there’s no place I’d rather be than center
ring.
****
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