“Boxing is fighting.  It’s life and death; people have literally been killed in the ring.  It’s different from other sports because the athletes aren’t thinking about moving on to the next series, or the next championship.  Rather, they are thinking about how to knock their opponent on to the ground, and make him stay there.  This is serious stuff.”  – Rick Cypher, HBO Boxing Camera Operator.

There’s nothing quite like the entertainment of watching two heavyweight boxers brutally bash in each other’s faces until one of them can no longer stand.  A tad bit vulgar?  Yes. But, one simply could not deny the fact that, through out the ages, the masses have always gathered to view these sort of “life and death” battles.  Think about it:  The bloody combat of the Roman Colosseum,  the outrageously dangerous Jousting matches of the Middle Ages, and more currently, Ultimate Fighting and Boxing.  Although Boxing may not be as intense as Colosseum battles or Jousting matches, it seems to be the closest parallel we have to it in our modern society.

Rick Cypher, ringside, with his “apron” camera.

For the past twenty years, Rick Cypher has been providing this hand-to-hand, up-close and personal entertainment to millions of HBO viewers around the world.  Acting as a Camera Operator, Mr. Cypher has the unique (and monumental) responsibility of allowing television viewers to feel like they are in the ring with the fighters, even though they are in the comfort of their own home.

“The best is when people tell me they never watch boxing, but they watched the match because they knew I was shooting camera, and they say that they were floored with genuine emotion and really couldn’t help but feel like they were right there in the ring,” shares Rick.

For HBO to deliver such brilliant broadcasts time after time, decade after decade, it takes a group of very talented and experienced cameramen.  Five (including Rick) to be exact…  Two main cameras (set-up on tri-pods) are each responsible for covering both fighters in the ring at all times.  One shoots both boxers head to toe in his frame, and the other follows the boxers from head to waist.  There is one 90 Degree camera set up on the opposite side to get shots in the corners where the two main cameras cannot see.  “The 90 Degree camera also provides great shots for television replays,” shares Rick.

Finally, there are two handheld cameras being operated on the apron.  The apron refers to the small two foot area of the ring that lies outside of the ropes.  Due to the close proximity to the fighters, these cameras provide viewers with in-your-face action of the fights, but also happen to be highly dangerous for the camera operators.  Mr. Cypher explains that shooting the handheld apron camera is his favorite because, “I’m right there! I can hear the corner people (trainers, friends, family) yelling.  I can literally see the emotions of the fighters.  It’s pretty intense.”

IN FACT… Mr. Cypher knows first hand the dangers of shooting the apron camera…

During our interview, Rick shared with us his experience of nearly getting knocked off of the apron during an event.  ”  I was shooting from the apron and one of the fighters came over and leaned into the rope.  Then, the other guy came and leaned up against him. At this point there was 500 LBS pushing up against the ropes,  I knew that I wasn’t positioned correctly, and in a split second decision I determined I needed to jump off of the apron.”

Fortunately, Rick did not suffer any injuries or damage to his camera….

It’s certainly not everyday that you see members of the TV production crew putting their bodies in harms way in the field of play at a sporting event, which brings me back to an earlier topic.  Why would a cameraman willingly stand on the edge of a boxing ring to capture the fight, when he is literally one missed hook away from getting knocked in the face?  And further more, how could he possibly enjoy it so much?!  Well, perhaps the answer lies in the fact that Boxing, like Medieval Jousting and Roman Death Matches, provide for the best sort of entertainment… and after all, Mr. Cypher is a seasoned veteran in the Entertainment Industry.

Follow @FerroProduction

Rick and members of the HBO Sports Crew “say cheese” in between rounds at a fight.