Born on January 11, 1945 in Manhattan, NY.
He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts and began working as a sports writer and editor. Wallau joined ABC in 1976 as an on-air promotions producer and associate producer of boxing telecasts. Beginning in 1977 he served as boxing consultant and producer. In 1984 he directed ABC’s boxing coverage of the Olympic Games. Following Howard Cosell’s retirement he was named boxing commentator in 1986. Working alongside broadcast partners Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf, he called action from ringside until 2000. The same year he was appointed president of ABC television network. Prior to his on-air duties, Wallau was the executive in charge of negotiating and selecting fights that aired on ABC Sports.
Considered one of boxing’s most knowledgeable and informed commentators, Wallau won the 1987 Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Wallau passed away on October 10, 2025 at 80 following a long battle with throat cancer.
Born: Jan. 11, 1945
Died: Oct. 10, 2025
Induction: 2026
Alex Wallau
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