The video speaks for itself.
Why HBO has trimmed off Larry Merchant’s work load and beefed up Max Kellerman’s presence, I will never understand.
While Mad Max was kissing up to the The Ring Magazine’s championships, maybe Larry was off in India riding elephants, or just kicking back in his Los Angeles crib.
Whatever the poignant sour puss of boxing analysis was up to, Larry was sourly needed Saturday night as Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez produced a fight of the year candidate.
Max tries hard, but when you have to work on having an on-air presence, you already lost the battle…if you get my drift.
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.
The fact Diaz and Marquez produced enjoyable sanctioned violence is not because of The Ring, but because they are the two best lightweights in the world and fight like men in the ring.
Mr. Larry Merchant was sorely missed Saturday night.
