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.
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LIVE COVERAGE
World Boxing News provides live results and updates from George Liddard’s European middleweight title clash with Dario Morello at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The undefeated Liddard faces the biggest test of his career against experienced Italian Morello, with the vacant European middleweight championship on the line.
Three other vacant titles will be decided on the card as Jimmy Sains, Emmanuel Buttigieg and Tiah Mai Ayton attempt to take the next step in their careers.
Live Scorecard –George Liddard vs. Dario Morello
Live Results
Times are local BST
19:45
Tiah Mai Ayton won the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title in a solid display against Ellie Hellewell. The Hellewell corner called off the fight after six completed rounds as Ayton made it seven straight wins as a pro and pushed towards world honors.
18:52
Connor Mitchell gets four useful rounds under his belt with a 39-37 points victory over Caine Singh.
Singh made him work for it, but the all-action Mitchell did enough to get his hand raised.
18:16
Louie Ward moved to 3-0 with a dominant performance, stopping Jon Martinez in the third round.
Ward was in control throughout before forcing the finish to secure another impressive victory.
17:42
Ioan Croft dropped Tomas Reynoso early on before seeing out a sixth round victory. The referee waved the fight off with just over a minute left of the round.
17:10
Harley Burrows opened the show with a first round stoppage of Carlos Ronner. Burrows pinned Ronner on the ropes and waded in until the referee halted the contest.
TV Coverage and Remaining Bouts
United Kingdom: DAZN
- George Liddard vs. Dario Morello – Vacant European Middleweight Title (12)
- Jimmy Sains vs. Tom Cowling – Vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Title (12)
- Emmanuel Buttigieg vs. P A Gordon – Vacant English Middleweight Title (10)
Preview
Liddard enters his first European title fight with a perfect 14-0 record as the 24-year-old attempts to continue his rapid rise through the middleweight division.
Morello brings considerably more experience at 26-1 and arrives in London undefeated since 2019.
The event takes place at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promoting the card.
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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