Q&A:
MAX KELLERMAN, FRAN CHARLES AND LENNOX LEWIS

May 20, 2006

HBO:
You have literally been a boxing commentator for most of your life starting with "Max on Boxing" at the age of 16 -what got you started with your love of boxing?

KELLERMAN:
I have no good answer to that question. I get asked it a lot. I have always loved boxing for as long as I can remember.

HBO:
What was the first fight that you ever saw? What was the most memorable fight?

KELLERMAN:
First fight I remember watching was Ali-Shavers. The most memorable fight I've ever seen was the first Corrales-Castillo fight last May.

HBO:
Did you always see yourself as a boxing commentator?

KELLERMAN:
It's something I have always enjoyed and it is one of the things I wanted to do as a kid.

HBO:
What do Lennox Lewis and Fran Charles bring to the BAD team?

KELLERMAN:
Lennox Lewis brings star power - he is the last universally recognized heavyweight champion of the world. Fran Charles brings professionalism and a very likeable personality.

HBO:
What's one thing that's similar about calling golf and calling boxing?

CHARLES:
Believe it or not, doing play-by-play for PGA TOUR events can be very hectic, especially during Thursday/Friday coverage. The entire field of 144 golfers play both days before they make the weekend cut of the top 70 players, so at any moment, the producer can go to one of 72 golfers on the course and you have to be ready.

It's the same for a boxing match. Even though there are only two fighters in the ring, you can't take your eye off the action for one second because you may miss the defining moment of the fight - they're both hectic!

HBO:
What's the biggest challenge when you're doing blow-by-blow?

CHARLES:
Getting it right. The fighters are so fast, (even the ones who may traditionally be considered "lumbering" are still moving at a decent clip) and the audience is relying on you to tell them what punch was thrown and exactly where it landed.

HBO:
What do you think Max and Lennox bring to the team?

CHARLES:
I'm so excited to get the opportunity to work with Max and Lennox. If Lennox Lewis were still fighting today, he'd still be the universally recognized heavyweight champion of the world. Lennox brings immediate credibility as a ringside commentator. His insights and awareness are invaluable.

No one can doubt the unbridled passion Max Kellerman has for the sport of boxing. Since he was an adolescent, boxing has been a part of his life. You can be sure of this, if Max has something to say, he's thought about it thoroughly, researched it, believes it, and he can clearly articulate why he feels the way he does. You can't teach passion. Should make for some lively "Boxing After Dark" telecasts

HBO:
What has it been like transitioning into the role of broadcaster?

LEWIS:
I haven't fully transitioned yet. I still find myself responding passionately to the fights, almost as if I'm in the ring. It's kind of like you've been skateboarding you're whole life and then all of a sudden you ask me to surf- similar concepts, but not exactly the same. I guess it's like anything else- practice makes perfect and I'm always up for a challenge.

HBO:
Which commentators do you most admire?

LEWIS:
Howard Cosell. Instead of just reporting what he saw, he really made you think. He was challenging and dynamic; he captured the moment and brought it alive. He and Ali's famous banter was a big factor in the continued popularity of boxing.

HBO:
George Foreman was known for "mixing it up" with the other boxing commentators - do you see yourself taking that approach?

LEWIS:
Definitely. It's always good to have a commentator that's been involved in the sport, but it's even better to have a champion boxer. A former champion can give a different perspective as well as provide insightful comments on what the boxers should be doing in the ring in order to win.

HBO:
How do you prepare to cover the fight?

LEWIS:
I read and study tapes of each fighter and then speak with them on a personal level to get a better understanding of them and their state of mind going into the fight.

HBO:
What's the most important thing to remember when covering a fight?

LEWIS:
To be objective and call it like I see it. I have an obligation to the audience to explain what's happening and to provide my honest opinion.