Overview
- Responding on his Straight Shooter show, Smith said he no longer wanted to do a debate show with Kellerman after their 2016–2021 run.
- He characterized the decision as purely about the show’s needs, praised Kellerman’s boxing expertise, and stressed there is no animosity.
- Smith argued First Take’s audience expected the combative dynamic built during the Skip Bayless era, which he felt their pairing did not deliver.
- He mocked the “Muhammad Kellerman” moniker, pointed to frequent on-air clashes with analysts like Shannon Sharpe and Michael Irvin, and rejected claims he avoids competition.
- Smith said he even verified the Simmons interview wasn’t AI and criticized a question about his work ethic, while Kellerman had said the partnership never gelled and daily 15‑round debates would be “bad.”