ESPN Boxing Analyst Joined Armen and Levack [AUDIO]

Within the last few months, Albany native and ESPN Boxing Senior Writer / TV commentator Dan Rafael was recognized by Boxing Writers Association of America by receiving the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism.

"When I got the phone call saying that I won it, it was a big thrill," said Rafael, with Armen and Levack on Monday. "It was something you aspire to if you’re in my kind of job. I view it as the top honor you can get, other than some time in the long distant future being elected to the Hall of Fame."

Rafael, who's mom still lives in Clifton Park, graduated from Shenendehowa High School in 1988 and got his start working for the Community News in Saratoga and then the Binghamton Sun.

"I grew up there reading the local papers and watching the local sports. They had a lot of outlets. My fondest memories were going to often the Albany-Colonie Yankee games back in the day with my buddy from high school, Howard Miller.

"We’d go to the games all the time and I couldn’t wait to read the stories in the paper the next day and clip the articles out."

Dan Rafael with Armen and Levack on Mayweather, Pacquiao, Broner and more: