John Rawling

John Rawling
Born	1957 (age 66–67) Sheffield, England, UK
Education	Manchester University
Occupation	Sportscaster

John Rawling (born 1957 in Sheffield) is a Boxing, Athletics, Darts and Yachting commentator. Currently commentating for boxing on BoxNation, he was the lead commentator for Channel 4 in their award winning coverage of the 2012 Paralympics in London and the 2011 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Korea. Channel 4 received a BAFTA for Best Live Sports Broadcast for their coverage of the Paralympics and also received a special award from the Royal Television Society. His commentary work included acting as lead commentator in the Americas Cup World Series. Previously, he was the main boxing commentator on ITV after 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. Subsequently he has commentated on boxing for Sky Television and Setanta.

Early life

Originally from Sheffield, Rawling was educated at King Edward VII School and Manchester University.

Broadcasting career

Rawling 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 Radio 5 Live, Duke McKenzie, a former world boxing champion at three weights, moved to ITV at the same time as Rawling. Rawling commentated for Setanta Sports, before it went into administration, alongside Richie Woodhall, who co-commentates on BBC Radio at other times, and Steve Bunce. He has also commentated for ESPN on The Contender Series and on the Prime pay per view network. Rawling is currently commentating on boxing for BoxNation.

From the start of the 2007/08 season to 2008/09, John commentated for ITV on The Championship, the Sunday morning Football League highlights programme and was a regular contributor to Champions League and FA Cup broadcasts. He has also commentated on football for various other broadcast organisations, including 2010 World Cup and Premier League for Talksport radio and he provides television commentaries for the Premier League, broadcast on their world feed. John also commentates on darts for ITV4 and ESPN. He was lead commentator on the 2012 Paralympics in London for Channel 4 and also for the 2011 IAAF World Championship Channel 4 in Daegu, Korea.

Rawling became a presenter and commentator on the paid-subscription boxing channel BoxNation in September 2011. Rawling will be commentator for the 2013 America's Cup.

He returned to BBC 5 Live to commentate on darts, in the 2014 PDC World Championship final.

Writing

Rawling has written for a number of UK Newspapers, (in particular The Guardian). He was The Guardian boxing correspondent from 1997 to 2009 following the retirement of John Rodda, and has also written many articles on other sports besides boxing.

Radio

Rawling has made frequent appearances on the BBC Radio 5 Live sports punditry programme Fighting Talk since its first series, and has been known by the nicknames of "J.R." (after the character of J. R. Ewing on American soap opera Dallas) and "Psycho".

Personal life

Rawling lives with his wife and three children in Lincolnshire. He is a supporter of Sheffield United F.C.. His other interests include golf and classic cars, and his German Shepherd dogs.

External links

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