In a notable shift for one of boxing’s most prominent media outlets, veteran broadcaster Max Kellerman has been replaced as the host of Inside The Ring, the flagship podcast produced by The Ring. Television personality, actor, and seasoned boxing reporter Mario Lopez will step into the lead hosting role for the show’s second season, which is scheduled to premiere on October 8.
The transition arrives during a tumultuous period for Kellerman, coming just days after he found himself at the center of back-to-back public relation setbacks surrounding his involvement in the media rollout for the blockbuster heavy-weight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Kellerman served as the main anchor for the podcast’s inaugural season, but he will not return for the upcoming run. Instead, Lopez will take over hosting duties alongside returning co-host and former NFL star LeSean McCoy, with Lopez anchoring a revolving panel of expert boxing analysts.
While the timing of the talent swap has drawn considerable attention across the combat sports media landscape, officials have offered no public indication that Kellerman’s departure is directly linked to his recent controversies or the external criticism directed at his work.
Controversy at the London Press Conference
The change in leadership on Inside The Ring follows a challenging stretch of media appearances for Kellerman, beginning with his role presiding over the Fury vs. Joshua press conference in London. Kellerman’s opening monologue, which ran longer than traditional press conference introductions, quickly drew audible frustration from sections of the live audience in attendance.
Promoter Eddie Hearn later offered a candid assessment of Kellerman’s performance during the event. While Hearn was quick to praise Kellerman’s overall credentials as a broadcaster, he acknowledged that the presentation fell short of expectations. Hearn described the segment as "a little bit too long-winded" and "a little bit too staged," echoing sentiments expressed by fans and onlookers who felt the format lacked spontaneity.
The dissatisfaction surrounding the press conference was compounded just days later by a separate incident behind the scenes. Kellerman faced further criticism online after immediately declining a brief, 30-second interview request from Matchroom presenter Jamie Ward in a backstage area. The quick rejection was widely circulated among boxing media circles, adding to the negative commentary surrounding his appearance at the event.
Despite the swift succession of these two incidents, there is no formal evidence or internal confirmation connecting either event to The Ring’s decision to reassign the host seat for season two.
Corporate Shifts and the DAZN Connection
Beyond the immediate media fallout surrounding Kellerman’s recent public appearances, the podcast’s hosting change arrives during a broader period of potential corporate restructuring for the publication. Industry reports have increasingly indicated that global sports streaming service DAZN is actively moving to acquire a controlling interest in The Ring.
If finalized, such an acquisition could herald significant strategic shifts across all of the publication’s media verticals, including its digital content and original podcast programming. Whether DAZN has already secured controlling power behind the scenes remains unconfirmed publicly, but the timing of Kellerman’s replacement underscores a wider moment of transition for the historic brand.
Changes at The Ring
The announcement of Kellerman’s departure also comes on the heels of severe public criticism leveled against both the broadcaster and the publication by Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya.
Speaking during his regular "Clapback Thursday" social media segment, De La Hoya launched a scathing verbal assault on the outlet’s current editorial direction and Kellerman’s involvement with its platform.
“They stripped it of its credibility and made it purely bias and propaganda with Max Kellerman sucking it off every chance he gets,” De La Hoya stated during his broadcast.
De La Hoya’s fiery comments added another layer of noise to an already difficult week for Kellerman. However, as with the press conference backlash, there is no official link connecting De La Hoya’s sharp criticism to the editorial or production decisions made regarding Inside The Ring.
In tapping Mario Lopez to helm the podcast for Season 2, The Ring is bringing in a host who is well-established within the combat sports community. Lopez is far from a newcomer parachuted into the sport; the veteran television host has covered boxing extensively across multiple media networks for years and maintains deep roots within the industry.
Among his notable contributions to boxing media, Lopez has earned praise for his work alongside respected boxing journalist Steve Kim on The 3 Knockdown Rule podcast, where the pair established a dedicated following through balanced analysis and insider commentary. Given Lopez’s established rapport with Kim, industry observers have noted that integrating both broadcasters into The Ring’s broader media apparatus could be a logical future move.
For the time being, however, Lopez assumes the primary anchor chair as The Ring reorganizes its digital footprint ahead of the October 8 launch.
Kellerman and Zuffa Boxing
While Kellerman exits his position on Inside The Ring, his broader broadcasting commitments appear to remain largely undisturbed. In particular, Kellerman seems to be directing an increasing share of his focus toward his growing involvement with Zuffa Boxing, the new combat sports initiative spearheaded by UFC CEO Dana White.
Kellerman’s position within White’s burgeoning boxing venture remains firmly intact, marking a continuing shift in his professional focus within the sport. However, his prominent role in promoting the Zuffa Boxing brand has not been without its own share of debate among boxing purists and media critics.
Since returning to a prominent role in boxing broadcasting, Kellerman has consistently championed key elements of the Zuffa Boxing project. That staunch advocacy has drawn scrutiny from observers who question whether his enthusiastic backing of White’s platform has compromised his long-standing reputation for objective, balanced journalism.
Over recent months, Kellerman has faced public pushback over several specific broadcasting takes. Critics have pointed to his vocal defense of super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga, his framing of Jai Opetaia’s championship standing within the cruiserweight division, and his frequent comparisons between up-and-coming Zuffa fighters and legendary, hall-of-fame figures in boxing history.
Despite the debate surrounding his commentary on the Zuffa platform, none of those editorial controversies have been cited as a factor in The Ring’s decision to alter its podcast lineup.
What remains clear is that Inside The Ring is preparing for a fresh start. When the show officially returns for its second season on October 8, viewers and listeners will see a transformed presentation led by Mario Lopez, as The Ring opens a new chapter in its ongoing broadcast development.
