Imagine losing a voice that brought the thrill of the ring alive for generations, only for that very voice to have battled cancer with unbreakable courage—yet still, the boxing world mourns the passing of Alex Wallau at 80. This legendary commentator, whose calls echoed through some of the most epic fights of the '80s and '90s, left an indelible mark on sports broadcasting. But here's where it gets controversial: Was Wallau's no-nonsense honesty about boxing's brutality a bold truth or a harsh reality check that divided fans? Let's delve into his remarkable life and legacy, uncovering stories that might surprise you.
Alex Wallau, the veteran ABC boxing analyst, passed away on Friday at the age of 80. His wife, Martha, shared the heartbreaking news, revealing that throat cancer—first detected in 1987—had ultimately claimed him. Initially diagnosed with stage four throat cancer, the disease progressed to his tongue, but that didn't halt his career. Remarkably, in 1988, just six months after multiple surgeries, he was back on air, providing commentary for the IBF junior lightweight title bout between Rocky Lockridge and Harold Knight in Atlantic City. For beginners in boxing, the IBF stands for the International Boxing Federation, one of the major governing bodies that oversees professional fights and crowns champions, much like how leagues in other sports determine winners through structured competitions.
Born on January 11, 1945, in Manhattan, Wallau was one of seven siblings and grew up in Connecticut. He earned his degree from Williams College in Massachusetts and started his professional journey as a sports writer, editor, and even a public relations consultant for political campaigns. In 1976, he joined ABC as a producer and director, eventually stepping into the spotlight as an on-air boxing analyst in a revamped two-person broadcast team. Before that, he played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role, serving as the executive responsible for choosing, negotiating, and securing the fights featured on ABC Sports.
Shifting gears to today's buzz in the boxing scene, our latest episode of BoxingScene Today explores the BoxingScene.com Mailbag, focusing on the upcoming clash between Lamont Roach and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. Fans are weighing in with their predictions, and we're breaking down how their fighting styles could create explosive moments in the ring. Scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, this discussion dives into the potential matchup and what it might mean for the future of boxing's pay-per-view landscape. (For more, check out: https://www.boxingscene.com/talk-shows/mailbag-lamont-roach-vs-pitbull-cruz-and-the-future-of-boxing-pay-per-view?spg=pr&spl=b)
Wallau had a profound perspective on boxing, as he expressed in a 1988 Newsday article: 'I can justify the sport. I don’t attend boxing to witness blows or injuries. Instead, I observe individuals in the purest form of drama, confronting the one thing we all dread—pain—and drawing on that rare trait we seldom show: courage.' And this is the part most people miss: His unfiltered opinions often sparked tensions. He clashed with fighters and promoters alike. For instance, he recalled to the Poughkeepsie Journal that his greatest personal risk came after criticizing Don King’s disputed 1977 United States Boxing Championships Series. King, a notorious promoter known for his flamboyant style and involvement in high-profile boxing events, reportedly led to congressional testimony about threats against Wallau. This raises eyebrows— was Wallau a whistleblower exposing corruption, or did his outspokenness make him a target in a sport rife with controversies?
In that same Poughkeepsie profile, Wallau imparted a key lesson from his commentary days: 'Don’t deceive the audience… If a fight is a dud, call it out. Don’t be foolish.' He shared the broadcast desk with Jim Lampley, the renowned ABC commentator who later narrated fights on HBO for over 30 years. Lampley, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, credited Wallau with shaping his deep appreciation for the sport. In a heartfelt statement to BoxingScene, Lampley said, 'As much as any boxer I covered, via the immense knowledge he uniquely bestowed upon me, Alex Wallau was a FIGHTER. His triumph over the savage ordeal of throat cancer in the early 1990s exemplified extraordinary bravery. The mere fact that he lived another 30 years sets a monumental standard of fortitude. He schooled me on how to observe and narrate boxing matches, and through that, he bestowed the hallmark of my entire 50-year career. I'm shattered by his departure, yet profoundly thankful for his presence. My deepest sympathies go to his friends and family. Eternal thanks, Alex.'
Bruce Trampler, a matchmaker with Top Rank, was the first to break the news publicly on Sunday. He honored Wallau on Twitter: 'Boxing has lost a valiant soul with the death of former commentator Alex Wallau, a cherished friend to many in the industry. Alex endured death threats after uncovering the fraudulent Don King tournament, served as the mastermind behind Howard Cosell, and ascended to president of ABC TV for Bob Iger. He deserves Hall of Fame recognition.' Beyond commentary, Wallau earned two Emmy Awards for his producing and directing work at ABC Sports. He became ABC's president in 2000, later taking on roles as Senior Strategic Advisor for The Walt Disney Company's Corporate Strategy Business Development and Technology Group in 2007, and in 2017, he contributed to the team that developed Disney+ streaming service, per his Wikipedia entry. Wallau officially retired in 2000.
Wallau's story prompts us to reflect on boxing's soul—its blend of raw humanity and spectacle. Did his courage in facing cancer mirror the fighters he analyzed, or does his honesty about the sport's darker side challenge us to question if boxing remains justifiable in today's world? What do you think: Should figures like Wallau be celebrated as heroes for their transparency, or does the sport need more protectors against its inherent risks? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with his views, or do you see a counterpoint worth debating? Let's keep the conversation going!
