The end of Merchant is near?

I hope this is not true, I like Larry Merchant, and I can't stand Max Kellerman.


Boxing Confidential Exclusive:
HBO Boxing Voice Larry Merchant Out After 29 Years, Mad Max Promoted!!

Michael Marley
4/11/2007

I hope this www.boxingconfidential.com scoop turns out to be as wrong as The Chicago Tribune when it headlined that DEWEY BEATS TRUMANi in 1948. But I don't think my story is wrong. It's not what will happen that is in question...it's when it wil occur.

Having given almost 30 years of meritorious service to HBO Sports as its most critical commentator and having been, for most of that time the cable TV conscience of the sport, I don't think Larry Merchant was expecting a gold watch or anything else at the finish line.

And it looks like the HBO has decided that the Merchant of Venom is at the finsh line. What started as faint drumbeats the past few months has gone from a discernable whisper to a ear-spliting scream. Word around boxing is that HBO is negotiating out a buyout of Merchant's contract and that he will be replaced by young Mad Max Kellerman who will be promoted from the HBO "Boxing After Dark" series to full-time service on HBO Championship Boxing and on the network's PPV shows.

A source familiar with the negotiations told me that Merchant has accepted his professional fate like the consummate professional he is and that he is working out an amicable "divorce" from the broadcast giant.

"You will see Larry alongside Jim Lampley for the May 5 Las Vegas Super Fight between Mayweather and De La Hoya and the May 19 Jermain Taylor-Cory Spinks middleweight title bout in Memphis. Merchant may also work the Bernard Hopkins-Winkly Wright fight July 21 in Vegas. But HBO wants to return to the airwaves in September with Mad Max Kellerman sitting alongside Lampley in Merchant's 29-year role," the source said.

I've had my differences with Merchant over the years. Once, while scribbling for The New York Post, I wrote something about HBO bossman Seth Abraham not needing a family pet when he had an in-house parrot namded Merchant. But, despite disagreements, I've always respected Merchant for his sthyle, his candor and his courage to march to his own drummer on many boxing issues and stories. I believe that people generally talk the way they write and vice versa and Merchant was one helluva sportswriter back in the day.

Name another boxing broadcaster who shows more general respect for the fighters. Can you because I can't.

If it's over, Sir Larry, it's been one helluva run. I hope it's not, that HBO would carve out another role for you on their broadcasts, but if that is not the case then know this: you have given your employer more than you've got.

You may not be the HBO Number One boxing commentator much longer but you could always return to being the Write Man.

HBO had better give you a proper on the air sendoff. That's all I am saying right now. We can talk about demographics, ageism and all the rest later.

I like Max...but I hate to see Merchant go...but it was inevitable.

Max is really knowledgeable & he's also starting to settle in to his spot. He'll do fine & it's time for some new blood to be injected into HBO's veins.

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

I like Max...but I hate to see Merchant go...but it was inevitable.

Max is really knowledgeable & he's also starting to settle in to his spot. He'll do fine & it's time for some new blood to be injected into HBO's veins.

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hey...even Bob Barker is going to retire.....

See what happens when you punk Frank Warren. I am sure that's what Warren is thinking.

I hate to see Merchant go. I don't like change. Not one bit. :'(

I know there will be a long line of young'un's cheering his dismissal.

I like Max...I thought he was a staple of Friday night fights....But Larry is...Well he is just Larry right or wrong about what he says the guy does not sugar coat much...For snubbing Frank Warren last saturday he will always be one of my top all time announcers....Larry has a personility...Max has knowledge but no real personality to go with it...Kellerman is all business....During boring fights Larry can pass the time

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Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla

See what happens when you punk Frank Warren. I am sure that's what Warren is thinking.

I hate to see Merchant go. I don't like change. Not one bit. :'(

I know there will be a long line of young'un's cheering his dismissal.

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I don't think so...but I am a fan of Kellerman...I will miss Merchant when he goes.....

Merchant has been this generation's Howard Cosell. Likes to hear himself talk..... can sometimes ramble on and on (sometimes about the oddest topics)........ can come across as arrogant and condescending, even a bit bigoted at times....... BUT........

He'll be missed. Because he's also brutally blunt, sometimes to the point of being comical..... and is not scared to tackle a controversial subject, or put somebody on the spot.

I hope Max fills the void well.

they should just let larry stay on just to talk random shiiiiiit when he wants too in the background ahahha.

I cant stand Max Kellerman he annoys the sh@t out of me, i dont know why eaither but he rubs me the wrong way. Merchant is the first person i think of when i think HBO boxing. Id miss him and his ridiculous metaphors but he is 119 years old so i hope he enjoys whats left out there for him.

I like Merchant he always cracks me up at least once per show. I remeber the Valuev Vs. Barrett fight awhile back, he made a comment that Valuev looked like an oversized bouncer throwing Barrett out of a club....not those exact words, his were actually funny.He never pulls any punches, you gotta respect the man for that, he will say it to your face.

i shall protest this heavily at HBOs forums >:mad >:mad >:mad

you can join me if u like here http://boards.hbo.com/thread.jspa?threadID=700008295

I can't stand larry merchant, but he was colourful. I wanted to punch him numerous occasions while watching him on tv. The old c@nt is so bad he's good.

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Originally Posted by sexydarin

I can't stand larry merchant, but he was colourful. I wanted to punch him numerous occasions while watching him on tv. The old c@nt is so bad he's good.

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Exactly!
Max is okay, but I'm not a huge fan of his.
When I listen to Max, it's like listening to any other sports broadcast. It just sounds like a formal professional broadcast.
But listening to Larry is like watching the fight with a drunk uncle or something. You might not agree with everything he says, and he tends to ramble on about the most random shat sometimes.
But he's family, goddammit!
That's wmy take, anyways.

LONG LIVE KING LM!

It seems somewhat wrong that the HBO bosses feel Merchant needs replacing whilst ITV seem to be happy with Duke McKenzie :-\

its like if ITV in britain had said murry walker is to old to do f1 commentating anymore and replaceing him... it just shouldnt happen to a legend.

Last night I was lying bed thinking about this and what crossed my mind was Larry Merchant's health. At his age I am sure his job and his love for the sport help keep him healthy and "relatively" senile. I hate to believe that HBO canning him will result in a decline of his pysical and mental well being.

It sucks getting old.

i love to hate merchant's slow talkin off topic ass.

You can allways tell when Larry,for whatever reason,doesnt like a fighter
The guy will land a punch so hard he's killing the guy,and Larry will say in that world-weary voice of his,"Yes,but those punches arent really affecting him"
Meanwhile you can see bone protruding ;D

Yep, change and progression is a part of life... Larry as much as he is a senile old fart bag, he helps idenify the sport and if nothing else adds a bizarre dynamic to the broadcast which complimented Lampley, Ledderman very well as a staple of the broadcast...

He will be missed no doubt

Larry sucks some times but it will seem odd without him rambling on.

I don't know, I like him, the Frank Warren thing was brilliant.

Not sure what I think about Max, don't really like him or dislike him.

well ill tell u this much about MAX tho hes one lucky bastard! he basically got to where he was by first doing his own ghetto talk show from his basement!

Floyd will be crying about this....

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Originally Posted by TheBESTP4P

well ill tell u this much about MAX tho hes one lucky B******! he basically got to where he was by first doing his own ghetto talk show from his basement!

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Yeah, and with a little help from his father and the numerous connections he has. This sucks. With age comes wisdom, which is much respected in many cultures with the exception of this one. It's a shame and a sin that HBO is trading a sage for a generic jackass.

This is inevetable but I'll be sad to see Merchant go. I think the person who said he passes time well is spot on. I like Kellerman, I really do but I think he is a little to confrontational just straight up while Merchant is so subtle in his approach. Merchant and Lampley have been the voice of boxing pretty much throughout my entire life. There have been broadcasters I've liked better, Bernstein is my favorite, but none more memorable then those two like them or love them.

As much hating as he gets on him, it is good to see him being appreciated.

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Originally Posted by The Shadow

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Originally Posted by TheBESTP4P

well ill tell u this much about MAX tho hes one lucky B******! he basically got to where he was by first doing his own ghetto talk show from his basement!

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Yeah, and with a little help from his father and the numerous connections he has. This sucks. With age comes wisdom, which is much respected in many cultures with the exception of this one. It's a shame and a sin that HBO is trading a sage for a generic jackass.

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Totally disagree with ya on this one.

Max is just young & coming up fast solid in his trade of sport.

Sure Merchant has wisdom...but you can't persecute Max for being young. Merchant is great...I love him...but he's old & getting older...he'll have to be replaced...it's inevitable. The thing is...Merchant mainly got his lead through "feetball", while Max toured in the wide world of sports...he's more a figure head in boxing.

Max has a chunk of knowledge & he's energetic & enthusiastic for the sport...Merchant is just on a different spectrum...while Max is giddy as a school girl...Merchant is as bitter as an unripe apple (unless he's spooging his shorts over Wlad Klitschko...& I quote: "A big beautiful man of a heavyweight!"), theyr'e just different.

I think that Kellerman deserves a shot...he's got the goods...he just needs the grooming.

honestly, I don't know larry merchant? can somebody educate me why he is important to be talked about?

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Originally Posted by supergenius

honestly, I don't know larry merchant? can somebody educate me why he is important to be talked about?

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go to page 1 of this thread. theres a pic of him hes the on with the gray hair in the tux. he's the senior commentator for HBO boxing. hes somewhat a legend in the sport. a veteran atleast.

peeps either love or hate him

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Originally Posted by The Shadow

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Originally Posted by TheBESTP4P

well ill tell u this much about MAX tho hes one lucky B******! he basically got to where he was by first doing his own ghetto talk show from his basement!

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Yeah, and with a little help from his father and the numerous connections he has. This sucks. With age comes wisdom, which is much respected in many cultures with the exception of this one. It's a shame and a sin that HBO is trading a sage for a generic jackass.

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dude im completely ignorant he had like a famous father or something? can u elaborate? thanks

Fuck Kellerman I hate the guy and leave merchant at least 1 or 2 years.

what about lampley isn't he fired or something. At this rate it will be Max and Lennox "i have the charizma of a scone" Lewis. If they get rid of merchant they better look for a good "replacement".

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

what about lampley isn't he fired or something. At this rate it will be Max and Lennox "i have the charizma of a scone" Lewis. If they get rid of merchant they better look for a good "replacement".

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haha I LIKE scones dont use scone as a metaphor, scones are delicious!

personally i think RJJ was the best commentator HBO had in a loooooooooooong time!

I think Hopkins and Jones Jr would be excellent HBO commentators. You'd certainly need someone to sit between them...

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Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla

I think Hopkins and Jones Jr would be excellent HBO commentators. You'd certainly need someone to sit between them...

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hopkins rjj and kellerman.... eh it might work.

I don't like Merchant. I don't care for Kellerman much nowadays either though, he's become a know it all prick and cheerleader for some fighters. Paul Williams is GOD in his eyes, it makes me sick. When Merchant goes, I ain't gonna shed any tears, but I'll probably miss him a little. The sucker is blunt, bold, and not afraid to ask anyone anything, I'll give him that. He knows his boxing history too. I wish he were being replaced by Teddy Atlas or something, not Max Kellerman. :-\

They can do better than replacing him with Max Kellerman. Kellerman is a big mouth who seems to talk about everything and doesn't have much passion for anything. He seems to be a friend of Tucker Carlson since he is on his show sometimes, and Kellerman does have knowledge about all sorts of issues, I think putting him on HBO is a mistake. He is just too juvenile for such a venue. They need someone with a little more style and verbosity. I hope it is not Kellerman. He just yells and talks and talks. Merchant made boxing matches events. That is why he was so good. Kellerman will make it ESPN friday night fights.

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Originally Posted by TheBESTP4P

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

what about lampley isn't he fired or something. At this rate it will be Max and Lennox "i have the charizma of a scone" Lewis. If they get rid of merchant they better look for a good "replacement".

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haha I LIKE scones dont use scone as a metaphor, scones are delicious!

personally i think RJJ was the best commentator HBO had in a loooooooooooong time!

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I agree...I think I have mentioned that on another thread once...IMO Jones was a good commentator...Had a bit of a personality but was professional and not biased....

Lennox isn't to bad he just needs to lighten up a bit...


I don't care who they get NO ONE!!!!! Will be a replacement for Larry....

To bad they couldn't have John Scully on the broadcast I always though Scully was a decent commentator...

Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

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Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

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Originally Posted by TheBESTP4P

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

what about lampley isn't he fired or something. At this rate it will be Max and Lennox "i have the charizma of a scone" Lewis. If they get rid of merchant they better look for a good "replacement".

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haha I LIKE scones dont use scone as a metaphor, scones are delicious!

personally i think RJJ was the best commentator HBO had in a loooooooooooong time!

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I agree...I think I have mentioned that on another thread once...IMO Jones was a good commentator...Had a bit of a personality but was professional and not biased....

Lennox isn't to bad he just needs to lighten up a bit...


I don't care who they get NO ONE!!!!! Will be a replacement for Larry....

To bad they couldn't have John Scully on the broadcast I always though Scully was a decent commentator...

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:o :o :o
WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!
John Scully is THE most boring SOB ever to call a fight, cept maybe Fran Charles. I'm sure he is a pretty good trainer and was a good fighter, but his voice is so depressing and boring. Also he says outlandish shat sometimes on those ESPN Classic broadcasts just to get a rise. Like during a Pazienza fight he goes on how a good amatuer would beat a top pro for the first 4 rounds, and win if it was just a four round fight. Ridicilious... ::**

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by The Shadow

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Originally Posted by TheBESTP4P

well ill tell u this much about MAX tho hes one lucky B******! he basically got to where he was by first doing his own ghetto talk show from his basement!

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Yeah, and with a little help from his father and the numerous connections he has. This sucks. With age comes wisdom, which is much respected in many cultures with the exception of this one. It's a shame and a sin that HBO is trading a sage for a generic jackass.

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Totally disagree with ya on this one.

Max is just young & coming up fast solid in his trade of sport.

Sure Merchant has wisdom...but you can't persecute Max for being young. Merchant is great...I love him...but he's old & getting older...he'll have to be replaced...it's inevitable. The thing is...Merchant mainly got his lead through "feetball", while Max toured in the wide world of sports...he's more a figure head in boxing.

Max has a chunk of knowledge & he's energetic & enthusiastic for the sport...Merchant is just on a different spectrum...while Max is giddy as a school girl...Merchant is as bitter as an unripe apple (unless he's spooging his shorts over Wlad Klitschko...& I quote: "A big beautiful man of a heavyweight!"), theyr'e just different.

I think that Kellerman deserves a shot...he's got the goods...he just needs the grooming.

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Well, I respect Kellerman's thorough and studied background of the sport, and I think that he's generally a good guy that does his best. I'm just not very enthusiastic
about the way he carries himself on the air, i.e. there is a generic, factory packaged quality to him. Maybe that will disappear when he finds a comfort zone.
Of course, you are correct in the fact that replacing Merchant is inevitable. But from my perspective, they are very hard shoes to fill. His closing comments are the thing of legend - sometimes prophetic, sometimes outlandish and hilarious in his stream of consciousness musings. Larry is both a commentator and artsy sage, which is a very rare quality. And sometimes, after a few cocktails, he's simply a blundering but endearing clown.
However, all good things must come to an end and I'm willing to set aside my ambivalence and give Max a shot. The passion for the sport is apparent. He just needs a bit of polishing to smooth out the rough edges. We'll see.