John Rawling

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John Rawling, born 1957, has been the main boxing commentator on ITV since boxing returned to the network in September 2005. In 2007, he was named Sports Commentator of the Year by the Royal Television Society for his work in ITV Sport's The Big Fight Live.

He previously commentated on boxing and athletics for BBC Radio, and was named Sony Radio Sports Broadcaster of the Year in 1994. He was the lead commentator at four Olympic Games from Barcelona in 1992 to Athens in 2004. He was covering major title fights for the BBC from 1987 until 2005. He contributed some boxing commentary on BBC television. He also reported football matches, cricket and golf for BBC Radio. His long-term commentating partner on BBC Radio Five Live, Duke McKenzie, a former world boxing champion at three weights, moved to ITV at the same time as Rawling. Since Setanta Sports began their involvement in boxing Rawling has commentated on boxing for the network, alongside Richie Woodhall, who co-commentates on BBC Radio at other times.

From the start of the 2007/2008 season, John began commentating for ITV on The Championship, the Sunday morning Football League highlights programme.

[edit] Other interests

Rawling is originally from Sheffield, having been educated at King Edward VII School and Manchester University. He has remained a regular contributor to BBC Radio 5 Live's Fighting Talk, a topical sports show after moving to commentate on ITV. Since Rawling's move he has occasionally plugged ITV's boxing coverage within the show, while Steve Bunce has plugged the network's own commentary. Rawling worked for BBC Radio Leicester after beginning his career at the Mansfield Chad, followed by a period working for the renowned Midlands freelance Roland Orton. Rawling has written for a number of UK Newspapers (in particular The Guardian). He has been Guardian boxing correspondent since 1997 following the retirement of John Rodda, but has also written many articles on other sports besides boxing. His interests include golf, and cars. He has owned a number of classic cars including a Jaguar E-Type, Austin Healey 3000, Triumph Stag and Mercedes SL500.

Rawling is also a self-confessed Sheffield United fan.

[edit] External links

• John Rawling on Ali, BBC
• Article on the 2005 Ashes, Guardian