Jimmy Lennon - Announcing Career

Announcing Career

Known as "The Voice of the Olympic" Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, as well as "The Irishman With the Spanish Accent." For over 40 years, Lennon's unique professional ring eloquence and dapper style of fight announcing and tuxedo attire, along with innovated showmanship and the singing of the United States National Anthem could be seen live at The Grand Olympic Auditorium or over the television networks. Lennon first became a ring announcer in Santa Monica, California, at the Ocean Park Arena, while working there as the regular patriotic singer of the National Anthem. The regular ring announcer at the time was unavailable so the event coordinator asked Lennon if he would fill in as ring announcer. At the time Lennon was wearing a tuxedo to sing in, and also wore the tuxedo during that first announcing job. His boss liked Lennon's performance so well, he hired Lennon as the regular fight announcer, tuxedo and all. Lennon started the "Tux Announcer" style that night.

Lennon appeared in 75 productions, including Raging Bull, Rocky III, Main Event, California Split, Tough Guys, Kid Galahad, The Munsters, and The Monkees. Lennon was the character of a Jakks Pacific action figure released in 2007, depicting his Rocky III appearance. He was the uncle of the Lennon Sisters vocal group on The Lawrence Welk Show.

Lennon was a favorite among the Hispanic Community as he was a master at the Spanish dialect (and several other languages) which he presented whenever introducing a boxer or wrestler with a foreign name by accurately pronouncing difficult names often smudged by other announcers. He believed all men deserved to have their names properly pronounced as a sign of respect and honor.