HBO Replacing Merchant with Max Kellerman?
Wednesday April 18, 2007
Kellerman, like Merchant, is something of a polarizing personality within the boxing community but there's no denying his passion and knowledge of the sport. While Merchant's cynicism often put a damper on telecasts, the challenge for Kellerman, 33, will be to temper his enthusiasm just enough to provide objective - and, when necessary, critical - commentary.
Which boxing analyst do you prefer? Vote in our poll.
Comments
I am not a professional boxer and I am not a professional announcer but I am very interested in boxing itself. From my vantage point, the comfort of my living room or the neighborhood bar, I want three people outside the ring. One that has been inside the ring - you might remember the George Foreman comment, “Larry I’ve been in there” that hit home with me and I listened. Two, someone that has researched both the fighters and their camps and provides historical data on both. That would be some powerful stuff. And third someone that calls the fight as it happens and stays neutral and does not comment on the fight just gives us the details of what is going on. Nothing worse than going to the head and coming back and wondering what the heck just happened and the announcers are so busy talking about other stuff that the fight I tuned into seems to be running in second place over their bravada. Also, personally, I really like it when a real star of boxing drops by after each fight. That adds to the experience, it’s a bonus. Thanks for asking, maybe that is why I read this column….
I think the Kellerman team for After Dark Boxing has been a disaster. Replacing Merchant with Kellerman would be a second disaster. Keller was most effective at ESPN where he sat at the desk and sparred with Teddy Atlas. Merchant brings polish and experience to HBO boxing. If anything, Teddy Atlas is the most experienced boxing observor and I find his almost Yoggi Berra directness and his amazing knowledge of the sport far outclasses anyone. I would have him replace Kellerman at After Dark, and perhaps have him as an alternate to Stewart on HBO boxing. But not Kellerman.
larry has been there so long . i would hate to see him go .i am school fan but max does have some fire but has shown it since he join hbo . larry i wish u best
I for one would be glad to see larry be replaced by Max. larry takes way too long to make a point and he talks way too slow. He is just like the old man you see on the street driving but you know he sholdn’t. Max is much more of a student of boxing. larry really got to me when he said the mexican music was “stupid”, when a Mexican fighter was walking to the ring. Welcome Max
Lampley is the one who should be booted!! Kellerman just does not have the personality for the job, as does Larry Merchant…
Interesting comments. I believe Larry Merchant has outlived his time on HBO. The act of him and Lampley has grown old. On the other hand Max Kellerman’s never shut up style has left a lot of us who were fans in the beginning annoyed at his know it all style. You could count the good TV commentators of boxing on one hand and still might not get to five. George Foreman (though I didn’t always agree with him) and Emmanuel Steward’s input are so appreciated. The Gil Clancy and Angelo Dundee’s of the past are gone. At least one member of any team should have either fought or trained. This is where ShoBox is a joke. Rich, Shawn and company are probably the best team out there.
I really like Merchant and his dramatic command of language, allegories and anecdotes. His pacing is great too and he asks tough but appropriate questions when he’s interviewing fighters. I used to really like Kellerman on ESPN but he seems out of his element when he’s not sitting behind a desk and he’s been very flat on HBO. I think part of this is that he’s trying to tone down his delivery but I think that was what gave him that Howard Cosell, ‘love him or hate him’ quality…. without that it’s pretty hard to love him.
I don’t care for either . . . we need an boxing analyst that can analyze with factual and accurate information. neither Larry or Max are capable of being an effective boxing analyst. Perhaps if they are trained by
teddy, they may have a chance.
Biggest mistake HBO could ever make, allowing Max Kellerman to do their live boxing broadcasts. He screams, He spits everywhere, he is bug eyed, and probably gay. Please HBO I have been a huge fan since you have been on the air, look harder or you can loose alot of loyal fans, and customers. Jim is great, and Emanuel is the man, just find the right fit, you can do it, but it is definatley not Kellerman………
Larry Merchant Is Cranky And Old. Max
Would Be A Good Replacement However I
Think Canadian Boxing Coach And TSN Commentator Russ Aber Would Make An Excellent Anylast For HBO.
screw kellerman…he’s a screwup! Say it aint so.
It is not fair in your poll to choose between Max and Larry. I like them both in the right venue. If you really want to do something, dump loser Manny Steward, rehire George Foreman, keep Jim Lampley, keep Larry and bring on Max as a young foil to Larry M. I really respect Larry M. and I would enjoy the interplay between the two.
Who wants to look at Larry. Max Kellerman is one of the hottest guys on earth. Let’s see more of him. And yes, I’m gay, so meh!
Max Kellerman talks faster than he thinks. He doesn’t know s**t about boxing like Larry Merchant.
I think that kellerman is a jealous coked out spokesman that his moments are about to run out>
enjoy your time “wishawas”.