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.
– Is that what I’m afraid of? Itauma said to talkSPORT Boxing.
After repeating the question, the 21-year-old paused again.
“Did you say fear?”
Itauma finally responded, saying that he viewed boxing as a puzzle and believed that proper preparation could solve any challenge facing him. But what was most striking was what happened next.
The conversation had already flowed, but Itauma returned to the topic once again.
“No, I’m just shocked that you said that,– Itauma told the hosts.
For a player who is usually measured and composed in interviews, this exchange was noteworthy. Itauma had no problem discussing Hrgovic’s strengths, praising the Croatian as one of the best heavyweights available and describing the achievements on his resume. However, the suggestion that he might be afraid of his opponent seemed to strike a different chord.
Whether it was surprise, pride, or straightforward disbelief, Itauma didn’t want to let that word pass without referring to it a few times.
For an undefeated heavyweight who prides himself on being the epitome of supreme self-confidence, just hearing the word “fear” associated with his name was a huge shock to his system. If it didn’t bother him, he would have just laughed, replied quickly, “I’m not afraid of any man,” and let the interview continue.
Instead, look at how he reacted:
- He completely froze and told the host to repeat the question twice to make sure he heard correctly.
- He gave his standard PR-friendly answer that boxing was a conundrum that seemed like a defense mechanism to regain control of his thoughts.
- The biggest advantage is that he came back to this topic after the topic had already changed.
This last part is the smoking gun. This means that the question was actively floating around in his head while they were talking about something else. He couldn’t let go because his pride was hurt. He wanted to make it clear to the hosts and anyone listening that even suggesting he felt fear was absurd.
It shows that while he may see his opponents as puzzles to solve, he’s still a 21-year-old fighter with a lot of pride, and the media can certainly get under his skin if they hit the right nerve.
When the prospect of being undefeated becomes the next massive thing, they start living in a bubble where everyone tells them they are undefeated. Itauma is tearing through his opponents and the media is treating him as the savior of the heavyweight division. In his opinion, he is the biggest predator.
So when a reporter asks him if he’s afraid of anyone, he completely undermines that narrative. It forces him to look at himself through a normal, human lens, and his ego simply cannot process it. To him, the question itself was an insult because it suggested he was vulnerable.
Itauma couldn’t bear to have his image of supreme dominance disturbed. It is exactly the same inability to let go of noticeable smallness. He had to come back to it because his pride was damaged, proving that despite all the hype, he is still human and can definitely be shaken.
The timing is engaging considering the dynamics surrounding the fight. For much of his career, Hrgovic has rejected the notion that he is merely a stepping stone for boxing’s fastest-rising heavyweight prospect. Meanwhile, Itauma seems equally resistant to any suggestion that another heavyweight might take the place in his mind as a feared figure.
Their fight on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena will decide which of the fighters is legitimate. Hrgovic believes he will reveal the hype surrounding the youngster, while Itauma has made it clear he sees the Croatian as another obstacle to solve rather than someone to worry about.
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