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NBA Star Celebrates Return Of Former ESPN Star Max Kellerman

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 11:49 AM ET

Max Kellerman returns to the broadcasting booth to call a marquee fight next month.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, Kellerman will announce a super-middleweight showdown between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford in Las Vegas. Dana White revealed at a June press conference that the former ESPN personality will return to his boxing roots to call the highly anticipated bout for Netflix.

Karl-Anthony Towns is among the many fans excited to hear Kellerman narrate that action. The New York Knicks star rejoiced when responding to a social media post promoting Kellerman's upcoming appearance.

"Boxing ain't the same without Max Kellerman," Towns wrote. "It's just facts."

Kellerman promised to hook up the NBA All-Star if Towns attends the right at Allegiant Stadium.

Kellerman returns to broadcasting after ESPN layoff

Kellerman will call a fight for the fight time since ESPN fired him in 2023. He began his career with The Worldwide Leader by working Friday Night Fights before becoming the inaugural host of Around The Horn.

Kellerman continued to broadcast boxing bouts after leaving ESPN in 2004, including a seismic match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. He returned to ESPN as a First Take co-host and focused on his radio duties after getting replaced on the daily debate program in 2021.

Calling 'a perfect storm'

Kellerman is eager to call next month's huge fight between Crawford and Álvarez. He touted both competitors as the world's premier pound-for-pound fighters during the June press event.

"I know you guys are excited about this fight, but I don't think you understand what a big deal it is," Kellerman said. "This is a perfect storm."

Via Ring Magazine, Kellerman predicted that the fight would draw historic viewership numbers as one of boxing's biggest events in decades.

"Because of Netflix, this will be the most-watched championship fight in almost 50 years," Kellerman said. "Muhammad Ali fought Leon Spinks in the rematch in ‘78, and they did 90 million TV sets. Ninety million, and since then, what has even come close? The biggest fights have all been on pay-per-view, and they do two million buys, three, four million buys. If five people per buy watch [a fight], that's 20 million people. This is going to do multiples of that."

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

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