Alex Wallau, the long-time ABC community boxing commentator who was behind the mic for a lot of basic fights within the 80’s and 90’s, sadly, has handed.
Though Wallau by no means stepped within the ring, there was maybe no one braver or more durable within the sport. He stared down the stage-4 throat most cancers nearly 40 years in the past that will finally take him.
Wallau was ABC’s on-air boxing analyst from 1986 till their closing broadcast in June 2000. Regardless of his dire well being analysis, Wallau fought onerous and returned to the airwaves after quite a few gruelling remedies.
He started his profession working as a sportswriter and editor after which joined ABC in 1976, taking up because the on-air boxing analyst. Wallau labored for years with shut good friend Jim Lampley, who was understandably devastated by the information.
“As a lot as any boxer I lined through the huge basis of data with which he and he alone first blessed me, Alex Wallau was a FIGHTER,” mentioned Lampley. “His survival in a grotesque battle with throat most cancers within the early Nineties was past brave. The easy reality he endured for one more thirty years is an instance of epic braveness. He taught me how you can see and name boxing matches, and thru that the eventual emblem of my whole fifty-year profession was a present from him. I’m devastated that he’s gone, however eternally grateful he was right here. All his buddies and familial survivors have my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. Thanks eternally Alex.”
In one other current assertion from Corridor of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler, it was once more evident the respect he garnered within the boxing trade.
“Boxing misplaced a brave man with the passing of former commentator Alex Wallau, pricey good friend of many within the enterprise,” mentioned Trampler. “Alex confronted dying threats after exposing the crooked Don King match, was the mind behind Howard Cosell and later president of ABC TV for Bob Iger. Needs to be HOF.”
The boxing trade says goodbye to a real legend.
Relaxation in Peace, Alex.
