Boxing
‘The Ultimate Shill’ Max Kellerman faces harsh criticism over Edgar Berlanga’s comments
Max Kellerman’s latest praise of Edgar Berlanga has already drawn criticism from boxing observers, with some accusing the veteran broadcaster of acting like the “ultimate bullshit” to fighters aligned with Zuffa Boxing.
Speaking during a press conference about Zuffa’s recent signings, Kellerman made a lengthy defense of Berlanga’s career, describing the Puerto Rican challenger as a fighter who became a “victim of his own success” after a remarkable string of first-round knockouts.
The passion that built Berlanga
Kellerman pointed out that Berlanga began his professional career with sixteen straight first-round stoppages, a run that briefly captured the imagination of fans watching his career on televised undercards.
The broadcaster tried to put the streak into context, arguing that choosing partners carefully is standard practice in boxing.
“A lot of guys are easily fit to start their careers, in fact almost every professional boxer is built that way,” Kellerman explained.
“Well, why didn’t anyone else score 16 straight to start their careers, right? I can name you fighters, I won’t, but I can if you ask. Who scored 50 and 0 (Floyd Mayweather), 53 and 0 (Wanheng Menayothin), right? And you know why they got to that, right? But who scored 16 in a row in the first round?”
Kellerman also reflected on how the streak turned into a spectacle during Berlanga’s first appearances on ESPN.
“Watching it on ESPN, I was sometimes on the studio feed. It’s actually comical how he’s going to take another guy out in the first round.”
But critics say such comments reflect a growing trend around Zuffa broadcasts, in which contestants associated with the project are often introduced in glowing terms before their performances fully justify the praise.
Among some fans and media observers, the frustration can be bluntly summed up by the label “ultimate bullshit.”
Berlanga’s experience gap
Kellerman argued that the knockout streak created unrealistic expectations for Berlanga’s development.
Kellerman said: “He had almost no professional experience. Until his seventeenth fight, he had virtually no professional experience. How many rounds did he actually fight?”
Berlanga himself admitted to the shortcomings of this streak in an interview exclusively with World Boxing News.
“At first it was like that because when I knocked everyone out in the first round, I knocked out sixteen opponents in the first round, but I didn’t get good rounds to get that experience,” Berlanga told WBN.
“So when I started going the distance with these guys, people said I was a bum and I wasn’t good. But I needed those innings.”
This admission highlights the same development gap that Kellerman mentioned, but it also reflects what many in the sport noticed as Berlanga began to face better opponents.
Early knockouts built buzz and momentum, but the aura around the series faded as the selection tightened and the rounds began to pile up.
At this stage, many experts were already wondering how this approach would perform when the level of competition caught up.
Sheeraz knockout warning
For many observers, the knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz confirmed fears that had been growing long before the opening bell.
Berlanga’s pre-fight performance already suggested that the explosive momentum of his early career was becoming increasingly complex to replicate as the opposition improved.
In the match against Sheeraz, these doubts finally came to delicate in dramatic fashion.
Despite this context, Kellerman highlighted Berlanga’s durability, emphasizing that he was able to go the distance against Canelo Alvarez.
“And then he finally gets to Canelo Alvarez and goes the distance with Canelo,” Kellerman said.
“It’s very complex, especially for aggressive fighters. Canelo is one of the best counter-punters of all time.”
“Edgar went a huge distance with him and it shows something that you can’t show after a first-round knockout. It shows the level of character.”
Kellerman even floated the idea that the knockout artist who built Berlanga’s reputation could yet make a comeback.
“Now the question is: Is the search-and-destroy guy still out there who can get everyone out?”
The celebrated Zuffa pattern
Berlanga’s monologue is the latest noteworthy moment since Kellerman became closely associated with the Zuffa Boxing project.
Earlier broadcasts have already sparked discussion about the role his commentary now plays in the promotion’s presentation.
At one event, Kellerman suggested that Jai Opetaia may no longer be viewed as “undisputed,” even though the cruiserweight division still has multiple titleholders.
On another occasion, comparisons were made between emerging players and legends such as Roy Jones Jr. and Larry Holmes prompted Andre Ward to issue a piercing reminder during the exchange.
“You know they take your word for it, literally,” Ward said.
For a promotion that is still establishing itself in the sport, Kellerman’s framing style carries real weight.
Many fans and media say the momentum is now obvious. Kellerman has built a reputation as one of boxing’s sharpest independent analysts, so the change in tone did not go unnoticed.
Some believe it would be better if the former HBO voice returned to the more even-handed style that made him one of the most respected sports commentators.
Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, the result is the same – the fighters associated with the project often perform with such panache that, according to critics, they still have to be earned in the ring.
And this tension between promotion and analysis is why Kellerman’s commentary continues to polarize audiences.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
LIVE COVERAGE
World Boxing News provides live results and updates from Dublin as Pierce O’Leary faces Mark Chamberlain at super lightweight.
Queensberry Promotions returns to the 3Arena with an action-packed card headed by the unbeaten Irish star O’Leary, who meets former British champion Chamberlain in the main event.
The undercard also features Gary Cully, Reece Bellotti, Sean McComb, Steven Cairns, Ben Fail and several unbeaten Irish prospects.
Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain Results
Times are Local – IST
17:46
Gary Cully stopped Lee Reeves in the tenth round to improve to 20-2.
Cully overcame a fifth-round point deduction for repeatedly losing his gumshield before dropping Reeves twice in the final round to force the stoppage.
The victory marked Cully’s 11th knockout win as a professional.
17:01
Sean McComb returned with a comfortable six-round points victory over Miguel Antin.
McComb won every round on the referee’s scorecard, claiming a 60-54 decision to improve his record to 22-2.
16:31
Machlan Arthur improved to 2-0 with his second straight knockout by stopping Ryan Frost in the fourth round.
Arthur dropped Frost twice in the final session before the referee waved the contest off at 1:05 of round four.
Remaining Bouts
• Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – IBO World Super Lightweight Title (12)
• Royston Barney-Smith vs Reece Bellotti – Vacant IBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Title (10)
• Gary Cully vs Lee Reeves – Super Lightweight (10)
• Steven Cairns vs Senan Kelly – Super Lightweight (10)
• Ben Fail vs Craig O’Brien – Super Welterweight (10)
• Bobbi Flood vs Tariq Davis – Super Welterweight (6)
• Adam Olaniyan vs Jonathan Claudio Sauco – Heavyweight (4)
• John Joe Carrigan vs Sean Murray – Super Welterweight (4)
• Sami Hamed vs Bela Istvan Orban – Super Welterweight (4)
Preview
Pierce O’Leary tops a major night of boxing in Dublin as the unbeaten Irishman takes on Mark Chamberlain for the IBO World super lightweight title.
O’Leary enters the contest looking to continue his rise through the rankings against the experienced Chamberlain, who aims to return to winning ways after a draw in his third outing since suffering the lone defeat of his professional career.
The chief support sees Royston Barney-Smith meet Reece Bellotti for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title.
Gary Cully also returns in an intriguing domestic clash with fellow unbeaten Irishman Lee Reeves, while Steven Cairns faces Senan Kelly in another all-Irish encounter.
Sean McComb, Ben Fail, Bobbi Flood, Adam Olaniyan, Machlan Arthur, John Joe Carrigan and Sami Hamed also feature on the Queensberry Promotions card.
Updates will be added below as the action unfolds in Dublin, with more live coverage on World Boxing News.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
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