Bob Alexander (born September 4, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan) is a ring announcer for professional and amateur boxing,

MMA Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

, and

kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...

Early life and education

Alexander was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Punta Gorda, Florida in 1973 at the age of 10. He graduated from Charlotte High school in 1981 and began his radio career in 1982. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida in May 1986.

Career

Alexander’s Ring Announcing career began in 1989 when he convinced a promoter to let him announce one rainy night on Sanibel Island, Florida. The fights were held on tennis courts that became flooded from the downpour. During the co-main event, the sound system went out and Alexander had to shout the introductions and results through cupped hands for the remainder of the night. "The place was full of drunks who were yelling and pelting me with beer cups," he says. "I figured this is as bad as it can get." The fourth event he announced was broadcast nationwide, and included the eleventh professional fight of Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins. Since then, Bob has appeared on major networks such as

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

, ESPN, Fox Sports Net,

HDNet AXS TV is an American cable television channel. Majority-owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, it is devoted primarily to music-related programming (such as concert films, documentaries, and reality series involving musicians) and combat sport ...

, Sun Sports, MSG, and Pay Per View. He has announced dozens of World Championship Fights at top locales including Madison Square Garden (New York), Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City), Buffalo Bills (Las Vegas), The Tabernacle (Atlanta, Ga.), Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, Ct.) Hard Rock Live (Hollywood, FL.) Turning Stone (Verona, NY) and served as the Ring Announcer for the popular "Boxing in Paradise" series, St Thomas, USVI. Currently, Bob is working as the ring announcer for Iron Mike Productions, a company formed by former heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson and businessman Garry Jonas.

Notable events

Alexander announced the first fight ever broadcast on the internet and was an announcer for the first ever Pro Boxing Event in Dubai, UAE. Early shows in his career featured Ronald "Winky" Wright and

Christy Martin (boxer) Christy Renea Martin (; born June 12, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. Competing from 1989 to 2012, she held the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009. In 2010, Martin was stabbed and shot by her husband. He was subsequently ...

Alexander has also worked as television commentator with notables such as "The Colonel"

Bob Sheridan Bob Sheridan (born 1944 in Boston) is an American boxing and MMA commentator. He has broadcast over 10,000 fights on radio and television. Sheridan attended the University of Miami on a baseball scholarship and briefly played for the Class-A M ...

and James "Smitty" Smith. Alexander was the Master of Ceremonies for the inaugural Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, 2009. Alexander is a member of the 2010 Class of Inductees for the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, along with Muhammad Ali, Barbara Buttrick, Don King, James “Smitty” Smith and others. In early 2014, Alexander was voted in to serve on the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame board of directors as its media representative.

References

External links

ESPN
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Bob 1963 births Living people American sports announcers University of South Florida alumni