On a recent Monday in Los Angeles, Max Kellerman sat behind the desk at Inside the Ring, throwing verbal jabs and hooks with the confidence of someone who’s been there before. Because he has.
After several years away from regular boxing coverage, the veteran broadcaster—once synonymous with Friday Night Fights, HBO Boxing, and Max on Boxing—has returned to his roots. And in just three weeks, Inside the Ring has emerged as perhaps the most compelling weekly boxing talk show in recent memory.
Streaming exclusively on DAZN and then a few days later on The Ring’s YouTube and social channels, the show pairs Kellerman with The Ring’s senior insider Mike Coppinger and features fight recaps, big-name interviews, and sharp analysis. New episodes drop every Monday at 2 p.m. ET.
“We promise to deliver fans, destination-viewing each Monday on all things boxing, from inside information to analysis of the weekend’s fights and what’s ahead,” Coppinger said. “The sport has missed Max’s voice. And it’s a thrill to team up with him for this flagship show spearheaded by the iconic brand of The Ring.”
Former NFL star LeSean “Shady” McCoy adds athlete insight—and physicality. His role includes interacting with guests and occasionally volunteering his ribcage. One early viral moment came when Ryan Garcia delivered body blows to McCoy during a demonstration segment on set, turning the moment into a social media hit.
That wasn’t the only buzz. A joint interview between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson sparked online debate, fueling rumors of a future bout. With the show launching during the high-profile Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight week—and featuring both fighters—it’s been a fast and loud start.
A Full-Circle Return for Kellerman
If boxing fans feel a sense of familiarity, it’s by design. Kellerman’s voice was once essential viewing on Friday Night Fights and HBO’s golden era of pay-per-view bouts. His on-air blend of poetry and pugilism helped elevate the sport in the early 2000s.
Now, after a multi-show run across ESPN (Around the Horn, First Take, SportsNation), he’s returned to where he started.
“This is the type of show boxing has always needed and never had,” Kellerman said. “The Ring has been the sport’s publication-of-record for over 100 years, and with the new vision for the brand, it is clearly leading boxing into the future. If you want to be prepared for a blockbuster on the level of Canelo-Crawford, you have to watch this show.”
Omaha’s Evolving Talk Empire
The show also represents another win for Omaha Productions, the production company founded by Peyton Manning and Jamie Horowitz. Famous for ESPN’s ManningCast, Netflix hits like Quarterback and Receiver, and ESPN’s Places series, the media company continues to deliver relevant and informative programming that audiences love.
While Omaha is often associated with live sports and docuseries, its fastest-growing segment may be talk. The company has quietly built an impressive track record through audio shows with Peter Schrager, Scott Van Pelt, and Kevin Clark. Inside the Ring marks its most polished, most ambitious studio talk project to date.
A Saudi-Backed Resurgence
The show arrives at a moment when boxing is once again punching above its weight. Much of that resurgence traces back to Saudi Arabia, where Turki Alalshikh—chairman of the country’s General Entertainment Authority—has infused the sport with capital, visibility, and mega-fights.
His investments have attracted champions, broadcasters, and global attention. The Canelo-Crawford card, which helped launch Inside the Ring, was viewed by many as a Saudi-influenced supercard, one that helped restore boxing’s place in the mainstream conversation.
DAZN, which already broadcasts over 110,000 events annually and holds exclusive rights for boxing, MMA, NFL Game Pass, and top-tier soccer, now has a talk show to match its fight library. Inside the Ring might be the first original talk show that has generated significant attention in the U.S.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next
As the show settles into its weekly cadence, producers and executives close to the project say they’re just getting started. In the weeks ahead, viewers can expect more big-name guests, including current champions, rising stars, and prominent voices from the world of boxing. Plans are already in place for high-profile on-set visits, deeper fighter features, and creative integrations around major bouts.
The show’s structure—with its rotating contributors, smart analysis, and accessible studio format—positions it as something more than just a recap show. Like what College GameDay did for college football, Inside the Ring has the potential to become a weekly cultural touchpoint: a place where the boxing conversation begins, stories take shape, and the sport’s future is debated in real time.
And with Max Kellerman at the helm, it just might be a knockout.