Steve Bunce: Max Kellerman Is An Idiot

[Poncey]

Well said. I've long felt he's a journalistic peon. He was irritating on ESPN, but at least he didn't ruin top fights as much. How on earth Greenburgh went with him over Merchant is beyond me. Larry may be a bit marmite at times, but he is eloquent, knowledgeable and doesn't care what people think of what he says and asks the questions that need to be asked. His row with Lennox during Pavlik v Taylor 2 (I think) was brilliant.

Plus he kicks fans asses when they get in the ring; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK2BLeYprfg

I would'nt tell Lennox I thought he was losing the Klitschko fight sat next to him.

[BadSpectator]

I guess insights like: "Max Kellerman Is An Idiot" is the kind of observation that only a seasoned journalist is capable of making.

[RZA]

I don't understand the criticism for Max's "slow" interview. First of all, it wasn't even THAT slow. Yes, Max spoke normally with Juarez, but Juarez is fluent in English. I'm sure Max didn't want to confuse John in anyway so he spoke to him in a manner that you would speak to anyone whose primary language was not English. Having said that, Max's "slowed interview" was the same pace as Merchant's regular interviews, so where's the criticism of Larry every time? Talk about a double standard...

As a journalist, I'd expect Bunce to call it as it is. But to be honest, Max's interview did not warrant such harsh words by Bunce.

[steve689]

American commentators don't piss all over anything we have over here. The HBO team don't gel and the new blow byblow person got it badly wrong on the Campbell-Funeka fight, constantly referring to a KD that never happened. No one corrected him.

Was that in Collazo-Berto maybe instead? The phantom knockdown in round one that never was and the guy ranted on for the rest of the fight about it? Think it was Bob Papa. I just hate the way they are stat obsessed. fornicating Jim Lampley with his compubox punch stat numbers. The Showtime ones like Steve Farhood and Al Bernstein are much better IMO.

[Blue]

I don't understand the criticism for Max's "slow" interview. First of all, it wasn't even THAT slow. Yes, Max spoke normally with Juarez, but Juarez is fluent in English. I'm sure Max didn't want to confuse John in anyway so he spoke to him in a manner that you would speak to anyone whose primary language was not English. Having said that, Max's "slowed interview" was the same pace as Merchant's regular interviews, so where's the criticism of Larry every time? Talk about a double standard...

As a journalist, I'd expect Bunce to call it as it is. But to be honest, Max's interview did not warrant such harsh words by Bunce.

He's not the only one;
Why HBO needs Larry Merchant on every Championship Boxing broadcast
by Ricardo Lois, LA Boxing Examiner March 1, 9:02 PM
http://www.examiner.com/x-2850-LA-Boxin ... -broadcast

After Diaz and Marquez put their souls and well-being on the line over nine sizzling rounds, the best Kellerman could do was diss the sanctioning bodies and applaud The Ring Magazine?
Sorry to rain on your parade, Max, because I dislike the sanctioning bodies as much as the next hardcore fight buff. But The Ring is not the solution, either. Their system has no power and has never "made" a fight happen. And maybe this is academic, if you have a non-bias rating system and the top two guys in the division fight, it should make for good action most of the time.

[RZA]

After Diaz and Marquez put their souls and well-being on the line over nine sizzling rounds, the best Kellerman could do was diss the sanctioning bodies and applaud The Ring Magazine?
Sorry to rain on your parade, Max, because I dislike the sanctioning bodies as much as the next hardcore fight buff. But The Ring is not the solution, either. Their system has no power and has never "made" a fight happen. And maybe this is academic, if you have a non-bias rating system and the top two guys in the division fight, it should make for good action most of the time.

I disagree with what the writer has to say as well. The Ring may or may not be the solution, but it's the best we got. Though their system has no power and has never "made" a fight happen, neither did the whole system prior to the emergence of the various sanctioning bodies.

Dempsey sat on his championship for how many years, not having fought Wills? Who knows how long Liston would've been without a title shot if it wasn't for Floyd Patterson stepping up to the plate? Point is, even "back in the good ol' days" when there was one champion in each weight class, there were no matches being enforced with the champion and his top contender.

Ideally speaking, there should be a national commission with a ratings panel from all around the world who would objectively rank fighters and enforce mandatory defenses with one champion in each weight class. But that's not happening anytime soon.

[Autobarn]

American commentators don't piss all over anything we have over here. The HBO team don't gel and the new blow byblow person got it badly wrong on the Campbell-Funeka fight, constantly referring to a KD that never happened. No one corrected him.

Was that in Collazo-Berto maybe instead? The phantom knockdown in round one that never was and the guy ranted on for the rest of the fight about it? Think it was Bob Papa. I just hate the way they are stat obsessed. effing Jim Lampley with his compubox punch stat numbers. The Showtime ones like Steve Farhood and Al Bernstein are much better IMO.

thanks for correcitng me, yes you are right it was Berto v Collazo.

[steve689]

I just watched Buncey's rant again on DVD = frigging hilarious

My gripe was the fact that Kellerman seemed utterly convinced that Juarez had won the bout and the whole interview made it seem like John had snatched a draw somehow!

[E]

I just watched Buncey's rant again on DVD = frigging hilarious

My gripe was the fact that Kellerman seemed utterly convinced that Juarez had won the bout and the whole interview made it seem like John had snatched a draw somehow!

YEah was damn good as well as funny. It's good to get someone with an opinion who isn't afraid to express it and express it with character rather than the bland views of SKY / ITV teams.

ANd kellerman's shit, it's true! At least the drawling even more long winded drunk Lampley asks a few difficult questions.

KEllerman is a fool and I despise his fake homeboy guise. He's even less street than vanilla ice

[REAL_DEAL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uA8hcv1MzA

has anyone seen this maxkellerman rap video

R.I.P his brother in it.

[Counter-puncher]

i wonder if Kellerman has ever suggested that Enzo Mac will unify the cruiserweight division and beat Adamek? jeez, what a loser, i bet he did say that.

[stujones]

I thought it was a bit much that all Bunce's analysis of the John fight was really a rant about the interview. I didn't think it warranted that much criticism. First of all - it was condemmed for being to slow, but then Bunce said it wasn't John's first language - so what happens if he spoke fast.

Bunce definately seems to not like alot of the US "colleagues" - I remember he had a go at (I think it was Kellerman) for suggesting Dawson cause he was not a name for Joe, but just a few weeks before has ago at someone (was it Kellerman again) for suggesting Donaire (a name) for Calderon cause he was too big... size wise. Yet in another show was suggesting that Hamed (all 5 foot 3 of him) would have competed at Lightweight.

[slapbangwhallop]

i dont normally post this kind of thing because i am no a*** kisser but i saw this on the Setanta broadcast i recorded last night and its worth a look and IMO bag on the money

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjcEH1MylQ

made me laugh. Buncey eh!

[Evander]

Bunce has an opinion ... Who gives a sh*t ?

[Evander]

Reg [RIP] G would never have spoken like that.

Goes to show the standards are dropping in the UK.

[Autobarn]

CUT!

[banjo]

Reg [RIP] G would never have spoken like that.

Goes to show the standards are dropping in the UK.

And what do you know about standards you thick crack head?

Go on get back in line

[Carbo]

I have no idea why people here are trashing the old HBO team. Lampley was and is polished, professional and enthusiastic, and he works as an excellent foil for Merchant, who is measured, stoic and poetic. I would rather see Teddy Atlas in Manny Stewart's position, and think Lennox Lewis isn't up to much, but I think it's just fine.

Sky's A-Team of Darke and Watt is, in my view, superb, though.

Kellerman is irritating as a commentator, but I used to like his journalistic work back in the days he worked for ESPN. His columns were knowlegable, polemic and well written, which I think is a combination rare in boxing journalism -- especially on the internet.

For that, I forgive him.

But I can't forgive Greenberg, who is clueless and was idiotic to think Kellerman could ever replace Merchant.

[Evander]

Reg [RIP] G would never have spoken like that.

Goes to show the standards are dropping in the UK.

And what do you know about standards you thick crack head?

Go on get back in line

More than you do coke head.

Get back in line ?

You half witt coke headed Brits know fornicate all about the sport.

2nd tier losers who copy whatever America tells you what to do.

Hey if John Shep allows you to say that then I get a go right

[Evander]

fornicating UK followers.

Even your dart players copied the U.S walk in you pathetic non creative losers.

You do what we taught you

[banjo]

effing UK followers.

Even your dart players copied the U.S walk in you pathetic non creative losers.

You do what we taught you

shut up ya moose eating gay

[Evander]

So be it

[EddieShredder]

Reg [RIP] G would never have spoken like that.

Goes to show the standards are dropping in the UK.

And what do you know about standards you thick crack head?

Go on get back in line

More than you do coke head.

Get back in line ?

You half witt coke headed Brits know eff all about the sport.

2nd tier losers who copy whatever America tells you what to do.

Hey if John Shep allows you to say that then I get a go right

Someone hit a nerve Evander?

[Adamj1987]

effing UK followers.

Even your dart players copied the U.S walk in you pathetic non creative losers.

You do what we taught you

darts is crap so if americans taught us its there fault lol

[Evander]

Banjo is the man