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Stephen A. Smith Makes Opinion On Max Kellerman Extremely Clear

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 2:49 PM ET

In a move that has been applauded by many, former ESPN First Take co-star Max Kellerman has returned to sports media and will return as a boxing analyst for the upcoming Terence Crawford versus Canelo Álvarez fight in September.

But one person who was at odds with Kellerman prior to his firing from ESPN and subsequent hiatus from working is Stephen A. Smith. So how does Smith feel about Kellerman returning to the fray?

On the latest episode of the Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith seemed offended at the idea that he would be upset to see Kellerman back in sports media. He made it clear that he's happy for Kellerman and that the only issue he ever had with Kellerman was that he didn't want to work with him on First Take.

“They said that I was upset that Max Kellerman, my former colleague at ESPN on First Take, I got upset because he’s gonna be calling the Terence Crawford and Canelo Álvarez fight in September?” Smith asked. “They looked at my face and said I was upset.”

“I’m upset about Max Kellerman?” Smith continued. “I have nothing against Max Kellerman. I didn’t want to work with him on First Take anymore. That’s all. I didn’t think we were good partners for a debate show. If we were doing boxing, if we were doing SportsCenter or something like that, no problem. For a two-hour, daily debate show, I didn’t think we worked any longer. That’s all.

“Never wanted him fired. Never wanted him unemployed. Happy he’s back. Cause I don’t wish for brothers not to get a check and not to be employed. Because that brother is brilliant and he deserves a check. And oh, by the way, you ain’t gonna find anybody that knows more boxing than him. I’m happy for him! Even though his boy will lie his ass off and say otherwise because he gonna get more clicks. Y’all know who the hell it is.”

Kellerman was taken off First Take in 2021 and was ousted from ESPN entirely in 2023. He has been out of work for the better part of a year-and-a-half.

Kellerman may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but there's little denying his acumen when it comes to boxing. He'll be right at home in his return to boxing coverage in September.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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