Howard Dobson, the TV3 journalist reduced to tears after boxer Shane Cameron's loss last week, says a "major health scare" was behind his emotional outburst.

The host of Sports Tonight broke down in tears during an interview on Radio Live Sport just hours after Danny Green beat the Kiwi boxer in the IBO world cruiserweight title fight on Wednesday.

In the interview, widely circulated on social media, Dobson breaks down crying while talking about Cameron's resolve.

"He's just a staggering chap ... he's done New Zealand proud," clearly distraught Dobson told hosts Ian Smith and Nathan Rarere.

Opinion is divided on Dobson's teary interview, with some criticising his loss of objectivity, others praising his openness.

Dobson said the outpouring was an "emotional release" after what had been a rough few months both personally and professionally.

"Three months ago I was having scans. I had two months off air. I've had massive health issues this year."

Dobson said he underwent tests for a sleeping disorder, possibly linked to his adrenal glands, which release hormones in response to stress. There were fears he would not be able to return to his presenting role because of the illness.

"So just to be there, and be back working, when at one stage I thought I would have no capacity to work, it was an emotional release after my health problems and then to see this guy get battered, it just got to me, the emotion got to me."

Dobson doesn't care about the criticism of losing his journalistic objectivity. "It's all about Shane, it's not about me. There is a kindred spirit there when we in business mode, promotion mode, news mode or story mode."

He spent about three months before the fight confirming Cameron could have become the first New Zealand-born world champion in more than 100 years.

"I just felt the New Zealand media didn't know the history behind it or what he was doing, so that's where my passion comes from."

- © Fairfax NZ News