According to latest issue of The Ring, HBO boss, Chris Albrecht, who decided not to renew Merchant's contract was himself shortly thereafter terminated due to manhandling his girlfriend just hours after the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight. The Ring: Arresting officers said they ran to the rescue when they spotted Chairman and CEO Albrecht choking and dragging his companion outside the MGM grand and that they had to physically break his grip around her throat. The magazine quotes the LA times in 1991, HBO paid more than $400,000 to an ex-girlfriend of Albrecht who alleged he shoved and chocked her in HBO's Los Angeles office. Both women were employees of HBO. It's a shame Merchant could no longer measure up to the classy Albrecht's standards of charm and decency. The issue did not mention Merchant will return so that information must have came to light after print. Is it safe to assume that just this one dude wanted Merchant gone and with him out of the picture, they kept him?
Holy crap. :shock: I'd heard something about some domestic disturbance with him after Cinco de Mayo, but I didn't realize it was that hardcore. And I didn't know he was canned. That meek little nerd who presented Jerry Seinfeld with the Comedian Award? Wouldn't have thought.. And I'm not sure it's related. I think there was enough backlash from the diehard community to tip the scales in Larry's favor. The general feeling is that the viewing public and MK just aren't ready for each other quite yet.
merchant is back? thank god. "Zab Judah, a self-made man who worships his creator." Classic merchant.
Was announced a while back. He's splitting duties with Kellerman now. They share both WCB and BAD detail. Papa-Merchant-Lewis last week was actually a pretty good team I thought. Papa still seems a little starstruck and not quite in his groove under the big HBO lights yet, which is weird because he's a longtime consummate professional. But overall I am happy with the addition and he meshes well with the other personalities.
It's ridiculous deceisions such as this that cost Greenberg's dismissal last week.Next on the hit list has got to be Kerry Davis.Out with the old and in with the new.:good
I like Merchant been watching him for years cant imagine anyone else doing the job. Kellerman slowly getting use to though.
Larry should actually be given a bonus for his commentary on WK/Haye. An absolute LMAO classic for the ages.
Pretty old thread. I remember when HBO was going to let Merchant go and it was because of general uproar from fans and boxing insiders that he was kept on as a commentator. Merchant was actually looking to take the job as HBOs matchmaker.
