In the Ring with Elie Seckbach – ‘British Boxers Reporting’

British Boxers caught up with Elie to interview him for our ‘in the ring with’ feature and to find out about the man behind the famous catchphrase “Elie Sechbach Reporting” and we also discover his love and knowledge of British boxing and the fans.

“I grew up playing sports and many times reporters ask such boring questions. Not all but some. So I just try to bring something different, a cross between Borat and SkyNews.

Elie has the reputation of asking the questions maybe other boxing journalists wouldn’t, but with his enthusiasm for the game and his cheeky chappy rapport with the fighters, the boxers are as happy to be interviewed by him, as much as he is to be doing it.

“I know some people don’t get me and don’t get what I do and that’s okay. But I do know this, once people star watching they get it.” Elie said. 

Starting out as a NBA sports writer in 1997 for the Los Angeles Daily News, he has also worked in news outlets in Israel, and in 2008 began reporting for AOL Sports FanHouse website.

As well as boxing, Elie has covered many major news events – he also reports for NBC-TV’s website covering the Los Angeles Lakers. Elie was awarded a Golden Mike and an Emmy Award for his outstanding work in bringing back in-depth correspondence. In 2009 Elie was nominated by the Associated Press and won the Mark Twain Award.

Elie who counts Amir Khan has a friend, is also a fan of British boxing and proved his knowledge, claiming Jimmy Wilde to be his favorite ever British boxer, and also named UK amateur boxers Tom Stalker, Andrew Selby, Khalid Yafai and Tommy Stubbs as future British stars for us to look out for.

Elie is impressed with the talent of British Boxers and the passion and knowledge of the fan’s, many of who he meets at the fights in the States.

“The fans over there are amazing! that is where boxing was invented! British boxers are cool talented and killers.

The British fight fans are great, I am so impressed every time I run into fans who fly from the UK to Vegas for a fight. They have such a passion for boxing an are very knowledgeable.”

So in true Elie Sechbach style ‘British Boxers went to find out, just who is the real Elie Seckbach? In our ‘In the ring with interview feature.

Do any boxers ever make it difficult for you?

Not from my experience. Sometime as you can see in my videos I catch people on the fly, and we always work something out, weather we walk and talk and set something up for a later date. That’s why boxing is the best sports to cover. I have for example covered Chelsea when they were in Los Angeles a few years back and even though I knew Manager Avram Grant the players were still acting like they were too good.

Same goes for FC Barcelona players who visited LA. So I really appreciate the time I get from the fighters. It’s not easy having a camera in your face when you just lost, finished working out, rushing to an event but everyone has been great to this point.

Who is the best person in boxing to interview?

I never ran into a bad interview. Every person has a story. Especially in boxing. Walk into any gym, go to any fight, you’ll always come out with great stuff. As to the best? I would say young fighters that no one wants to talks to, I get a kick seeing them two years later when they become stars, and everyone is on their jock, where were everyone when they needed the exposure at 1-and-0? lol.

What is your favorite boxing interview?

Playing basketball with Manny Pacquiao has to be up there. Hanging out with Floyd Sr. dude is so funny – he has a chain with a boxing glove covered with diamonds i asked him what is that all about — he said he’s into boxing so he wears that. so then I asked what should i get a camera covered in diamonds? and he looks at me as says – Elie you need to take an asshole cover it with diamonds put it on your neck because you’re a asshole. hahaha!! He needs his own TV show.

Also one time being at a restaurant with Edison Miranda when his trainer punked him and put hot  sauce in his drink.

Even getting robbed at gun-point with 7 boxers was a moment I’ll never forget. I was doing a story on a group of young fighters (all pro) and in the end of a long day at the gym we went to get something to eat as we got to the restaurant in Pico Rivera we got jacked by gang members armed with semi-auto guns. Crazy!

John L Sullivan had 450 fights

Who do you wish you could or could have interviewed in boxing, past or present?

I wish I could have interviewed Barny Ross, war hero boxing star. I wish I could meet Ali in his prime and interview him, I’d even like to interview the last bare-knuckle fighter John L Sullivan (right) he died in 1918 (Sullivan had won over 450 fights in his career) fighters today have like 40. The guy was such a stud they named ‘Long Johns’ underwear after him – because he fought in them.

How did you get into boxing?

I train whenever I can, I always have my gloves with me but need more hours in the day. For the most part I work 20 hour days. You see my videos go up around the clock.

I will say this as a person who played College basketball, there’s no sport like boxing. How can you not want to work out? I have done some sparring and hope to have at least one amateur fight at some point.

Iron Mike Tyson. 

Favorite all time boxer, World and British?

Look out for Stubbs

Which British Boxers should we look out for?

Pacquiao beats Mayweather

Haye or Lennox?

Jab or Hook?

WBC or WBA?

Interviewing Oscar De La Hoya

What does the future hold for you?

And finally Elie your key phrase and what everybody knows and remembers you by “Elie Seckbach Reporting” how did this come about?
Years ago when I just stared being on camera, I began using it. It was just a way to end the report. And EVERYONE I know told me to stop using it, from my girlfriend (who is a news anchor) to my friends in the news biz, like cameramen, reporters, writers – they said it looks goofy, looks like I am not finishing the sentence that the smile has to go…. I am glad I didn’t listen to them.

Hey the Beatles were turned down when they first approached record labels – they were told their style of music was outdated and look where they are in the history of music. So I stuck with the – ‘Elie Seckbach reporting’ – and it just caught on….. It is now my calling card!

It has been great getting to know you Elie all the very best with your channel and keep doing your thing.

No problem, thank you.