In the two years since he was laid off by ESPN, Max Kellerman has largely avoided the spotlight.
That, however, changed on Sunday, with Dana White announcing that the former First Take co-host will be a part of the broadcast team for the upcoming Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford boxing match.
White made the announcement during a press conference in New York City to promote the highly anticipated unified Super Middleweight championship fight, which will stream on Netflix. The match will headline the first card put together by the boxing promotion born out of Saudi Arabia’s partnership with TKO, which recently confirmed that its official name will be Zuffa Boxing.
“I know you guys are excited about this fight. But I don’t think you understand what a big deal it is. This is a perfect storm,” Kellerman said after being introduced by White. “First of all, [Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority chairman] Turki Alalshikh, we’re lucky he happens to be a boxing fan. None of this happens if he doesn’t happen to be a boxing fan. If he doesn’t happen to be a boxing fan, none of us are here. [WWE President] Nick Khan, the best in the business. Dana White is the greatest combat sports promoter of my lifetime. And it’s his first-ever boxing promotion. So that’s who’s behind what you’re gonna see.
“Who’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world? The most recent one? Bud Crawford… has my vote for best pound-for-pound. Who was the best pound-for-pound before Bud? Canelo Álvarez, universally recognized that way… there have only been, I don’t now, 25 or 30 fighters whoever lived who you said, ‘that’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.’ These are two of them, the last two. And they’re going to fight. In Las Vegas. On September 13th… this fight is a perfect storm, I could not be more excited to be a part of it.”
While an official venue for the fight has yet to be announced, it has previously been linked to Allegiant Stadium, which is currently scheduled to host UNLV’s football game vs. Idaho State on the same date.
As for Kellerman, his addition to the event marks his first major assignment since his high profile departure from ESPN in June 2023. While there has been plenty of speculation about his next move in the two years since, it appears his sports media comeback is officially in progress. And although other opportunities will almost assuredly follow, his return to the sport he’s most associated with is certainly a strong start.