Max Kellerman and I have been friends for about a year and a half now, so it was kind of awkward to do this interview because this is what we talk about every time we talk. I'll say this about Max, the guy's one of the nicest, most approachable people in the boxing scene. He always has time for fans and loves to hear the people's take on the sport. He's been real good for boxing over the last five years.

BRC: After all the big fights that have taken place and are about to, what else can we expect from the year 2001?

MAX: Don’t expect what happened in 2000 to happen again.

BRC: Why not? It's already started out good with fights like Mayweather vs. Corrales, and Hamed vs. Barrera...

MAX: True, but 2000 was the best year in boxing in recent memory, there were great fights throughout all the divisions, you had the heavyweight champion successfully defend his title 3 times, Trinidad did what he did, Mosley, Vargas, and Corrales man, the list goes on and on. The scandals may have trimmed some of the fan base, but those who were left behind still have much to enjoy. Especially with the three tigers that are out there in Trinidad, Mosley and Mayweather.

BRC: Let's talk about some of the fights that are going to happen this year starting with Barrera vs. Hamed, who do you like and why?

MAX: The fight could be a stinker if it's like Hamed vs. McCullough, in that Barrera follows Hamed around for twelve rounds, but I tend to give Barrera more credit then that. Barrera should engage Hamed in some exchanges and some questions should be answered. I like Hamed to win the fight because he carries his power from the opening bell to the end of the fight.

BRC: I like Hamed to win in 6 rounds, Kostya Tszyu vs. Zab Judah?

MAX: Tszyu is scared of Zab's skills that's why he doesn't want to fight him right now. There are to many things for Tszyu to contend with when he fights Zab.

BRC: Lewis vs. Rahman, and Tyson vs. Izon? You know where I'm going with this...

MAX: Yes I do. Both Rahman and Izon are big underdogs. Rahman doesn't have the hand speed to force the issue with Lewis and Izon doesn't have the overall skills to compete with Tyson. What does make both of the fights interesting to me is Rahman is a big strong guy with a big right hand, he looks to counter people like he did with Corrie Sanders, and he may have his chances vs. Lennox. I think Rahman is every bit as good as the Oliver McCall that stopped Lewis in there first fight. David Izon does have a big chin and he can take enough big punches to outlast people like he did with Derek Jefferson.

BRC: He doesn't have the chin to stand up to Tyson though.

MAX: We'll find out soon enough.

BRC: What about Tyson vs. Lewis?

MAX: I like Lewis in seven rounds or eight rounds. I think Lewis can stop him because Mike only knows one speed and that's fast forward. He'll be rushing in trying to get on the inside and the whole time Lennox will be jabbing and countering him. Tyson still has his power and some defense, but his hand speed isn't what it used to be and that could be a big factor. Also when was the last time you remember watching someone giving up close to 30 pounds to a great fighter and winning.

BRC: I can't remember that ever happening but most of Tyson’s fights could be considered catch-weight matches. You are still a big Roy Jones Jr. backer in the pound for pound argument. Why?

MAX: Image Roy Jones Jr. at welterweight against Oscar De La Hoya, I can't picture him having any trouble with him. I don’t think he'd lose a round much less four the way Shane did. In fact Shane and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are the only fighters who really can make a claim for the title. Floyd dominated Diego Corrales early this year but Roy has done that over 3 weight divisions for years now. If Trinidad moves up and does well against him, not wins, but does well, then there’s no question that he's pound for pound the best, because then we can say he held his own with a bigger, stronger and faster man.

BRC: Who's your favorite fighter(s)?

MAX: Pernell Whitaker and Muhammad Ali, both guys were great champions who had fun with the sports as well.

BRC: What are some of your dream matches from boxing history?

MAX: Whitaker of 1989 and 1990 vs. the Shane Mosley of today at Lightweight, it would be a hell of a fight, I don’t know who would win that fight, maybe Mosley but it would be hard to tell. Pernell would be hard to hit but Mosley throw punches in bunches and some of those hard shots would land, also Mosley on the inside might be too much for Pernell to handle. I'd love to see the 1978 Roberto Duran vs. Julio César Chavez, I do think Duran would win that fight. Aaron Pryor vs. Duran would be a hell of a fight. Sonny Liston vs. George Foreman, even though big George would probably wear him down. A real dream fight for me would be Joe Frazier vs. Evander Holyfield in their primes, neither guy would back down from the other guy and Holyfield would probably come as the bigger fighter at 212 lbs. and Frazier would be between 204-208 lbs, it would be a war. A fight that could happen that I would like to see would be James Toney vs. Vasili Jirov to see whose style would take over the fight.

BRC: Last question, if there was one thing that you would like to see done to help boxing what would it be?

MAX: The number one thing I would like to see down would be a Boxing League.
 

BRC: A Boxing League?

MAX: Yes, there is no league just the sanctioning bodies. Most other sports have a league like the NFL, NBA, or MLB. If “They” get it wrong then “They” would be one of the leagues. There isn't a “They” in boxing, there’s the ref, judges, and promoters. Since there is no boxing league the sport isn't accountable for what happens, and because of that there is no authority or accountability right now for many of the problems that occur. A Boxing league would eliminate many problems, it might create some new ones but it would be beneficial for the sport overall.

BRC: Alright Max stay up, and keep slugging.

MAX: See you soon.

Questions? Comments? Email Aladdin Freeman

2-04-06