If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Deputy Barney Fife became a ringside television boxing reporter — and I know you have — then you need to see the video following the jump, below, of HBO’s Max Kellerman.
Kellerman has absolutely no intention of letting Floyd Mayweather speak following the boxer’s victory over Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday. When Shane Mosley breaks in and wants to jaw with Mayweather, Kellerman does the broadcasting equivalent of fumbling in his shirt pocket for a bullet, before cutting Mayweather off completely. Reaction around the Internets has been pretty harsh on the former ESPN “Around the Horn” host.
At one point I though Kellerman was going to cite Mayweather for jaywalking. My favorite part, though, is when Mayweather grabs the mic and tells Kellerman “Let me talk — you do too much talking.”
Mayweather was just trying to be humble when Kellerman appeared to poke at him for fighting a smaller opponent (Mayweather had just beaten Marquez by unanimous decision). Kellerman basically called Mosley over, and then when Mayweather wanted to respond to Shane’s taunts, Kellerman started yelling things at him such as “Let’s concentrate.”
Kellerman is taking a little heat for this, especially on Twitter. It wasn’t a cool move when he took some shots at Mayweather a bit later during the broadcast when the boxer wasn’t around to defend himself.
“Before I even answer that, I just want to address Floyd’s behavior. It seems to me that in certain ways he can’t get out of his own way. I’m friendlier in my disposition to Floyd than most in the media because I enjoy pure boxers and he’s an all-time great pure boxer. And yet he seems to feel persecuted by even me, who really enjoys his craft.”
Kellerman was probably a little vexed that he couldn’t find the mute button. Controlling Mayweather is a little more difficult than deducting points from Woody Paige.
I don’t know if his gig at HBO is considered a step down, but Kellerman was once one of the most prominent faces/voices on ESPN. He left his ESPN radio gig “by mutual agreement” in 2008. But my favorite Kellerman Fail was when he appeared on a regular segment called “The Outsider” on the short-lived MSNBC political pundit show “Tucker,” with conservative bow tie-wearing host Tucker Carlson. What was that all about?
Then of course there’s this, from February:
But back to Twitter. Here’s my favorite:
The Only Thing Worse Than Max Kellerman’s Interviewing Skills is….: His rapping skills http://bit.ly/dSMFa
4:32 pm on September 21st, 2009
between he and lampley trying to outwit each other in their historical fight inane tidbits and his taking to a pre question speech before each question it makes me long for sleepy merchant to return. I feel Floyd was perfectly be justified for being angry. And what the hell did Kellerman bade him with Mosley, totally unprofessional. Thank god for Manny Stuart who actually understands and points out accurately the fights they cover.
6:57 pm on September 21st, 2009
Good to see Max Kellerman is still going against the grain. I still miss his radio show.
7:31 pm on September 21st, 2009
As Mayweather rightfully deserves he should be able to say whatever he wants. It’s his fight, his win, his night. Kellerman disrespected Floyd way before Shane came into the picture by telling Floyd this is not a commercial. Floyd had an obligation to Reebok so if he feels the need to plug Reebok then so be it. That was the worst interview, we all know Mayweather has a EGO, yea we know that but if the guy with the mic has an even bigger EGO then that’s just a bomb waiting to go off. As for Shane crashing in on Floyd’s moment which was what 18 months in the making, it seemed as if Kellerman knew Shane was going to do that and quickly moved the mic to Shane. I wouldn’t be suprised if that was not discused before hand. Floyd should whop both their asses. Shane is going to get his, he needs to learn how to wait his turn. Cuz now Floyd has a reason to punish his ass.
7:39 pm on September 21st, 2009
kellerman sucks. Lampley is a legend.
10:57 am on September 22nd, 2009
Wow, the only thing I can think of that is a bigger waste of time than that interview after the match would be complaining about that interview.
And Kellerman should have called out Mayweather for picking on a smaller opponent, he pretty much refused to drop the weight. $600K isn’t going to make Mayweather feel bad, the analysts should shame him.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kellerman knew Mosely was going to come to the stage either. What WOULD surprise me is if Mayweather didn’t know. I’m sure all three were in on it.
And, like the commenter said on the blog with the Kellerman rap, that song probably wasn’t that bad in the early 90s.
1:46 pm on September 22nd, 2009
i think max kellerman is a great boxing analyst.
he has no business in the ring interviewing boxers. we want to t to hear what the boxers have to say, not a bunch of gibberish followed by a cut for not following max’s “simon says” game…
2:56 pm on September 22nd, 2009
Lampley knows boxing, but can’t call a fight for the life of him. I was so happy to hear Kellerman during the Katsidis fight saying how the puches against Katsis were not landing. Lampley seemes to watch a completely differant fight then the one being broadcasted. Emanuel Stewert might be a great trainer, and he is, but he can’t call a fight either. Talking shit at first then changing his view mid-fight. As for Kellerman being out of line with Mayweather, didn’t anyone notice him telling Mosely “Not now Shane.” All he wanted to do was ask Mayweather about the most unprofessional thing a boxer could do by not making weight, and taking on a smaller apponant. The closest fight Floyd has had in years was when he robbed Delahoya (His dad said he even won the fight). The guy is a punk, give Shane a chance, because Pacman is still way to small, and people forget, Pacman still has to fight Cotto, which he has a very very good chance of losing. Kellerman did his job, and Floyd acted like a bitch. Still the child. Pay your taxes, pay for cars, and hope you stay out of jail for the shooting incident.
10:35 am on September 24th, 2009
Max Kellerman took over right where Larry Merchant left off (only I like Kellerman a hell of a lot more, b/c he’s not a hater of the fighter’s skills and guts - no offense Larry, still love ya) … We need this kind of nerve and honesty in boxing. … With that said, Floyd Mayweather is one of the best ever - and Kellerman recognizes that. … His point, and I’m glad he controlled the ego-maniac Floyd on this, is that Floyd hand-picks his opponents to make not only himself look good, but he has always avoided the big punchers (and don’t throw Ricky Hatton at me) - He ducked Margarito for years - he wants no part of Mosley or Cotto. … We’ll probably see Pacquio eventually, but even he came up in weight. … Hey Floyd, did Muhammad Ali duck Frazier or Foreman, or Ken Norton - no he took his lumps. So if you really are the best ever, take a few shots, use your superior athletic ability and defense and win, and then we’ll call you the best ever - and you might be. … Bottom line, - good for you Max!!! Miss the show and I’m reporting for duty - your soldier Mike
11:48 pm on September 27th, 2009
kellerman is just a fan telling it like it is. the criticism of him is ridiculous.