DAZN'S Chris Mannix tweeted some positive, albeit second-hand news about 92 year-old journalist Larry Merchant: "Jim Lampley tells me that Larry Merchant is on the mend after taking a sudden fall in his Southern California home. He has been assured that it was not a stroke and will remain in the hospital for observation until tomorrow. Lampley, as you’d imagine, is thrilled."

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DEC. 22, 2023: TMZ reports that Hall of Fame journalist Larry Merchant was rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital on Thursday night and is listed in critical condition. The report did not disclose the nature of Merchant's medical issue. Merchant, age 92, was part of HBO's legendary broadcast team, but covered boxing all the way back to the early 1960s. Merchant's open-jawed shock was captured in the most famous photo in boxing history, when Muhammad ALi knocked down Sonny Liston in their 1964 rematch. Merchant, standing in press row, appears in the photo directly between Ali's legs as the champion taunts the fallen Liston. Boxingtalk wishes Merchant a full and speedy recovery, as well as peace and comfort to his loved ones. 

Another great sports writer, Mike Lupica wrote, "The great Larry Merchant is my friend and one of my heroes. He has been hospitalized at the age of 92, and needs your prayers, along with mine. I spoke to him just a couple of weeks ago and it was, as always, pretty wonderful, because he was wise and funny. Which means still Larry Merchant."