Molly Qerim's New Role: Hosting Zuffa Boxing
Molly Qerim, a familiar face to sports fans, has landed a new gig as the host of Zuffa Boxing. This marks her first major role since leaving ESPN, where she hosted 'First Take' for over a decade. Qerim will be joined by a stellar team of analysts and commentators, including former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, insider Mike Coppinger, and longtime boxing reporter Mark Kriegel. The announce team also includes Joe Tessitore, Max Kellerman, and former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Andre Ward.
Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between TKO and Saudi entertainment conglomerate Sela, with executives Turki Alalshikh, WWE president Nick Khan, and UFC president and CEO Dana White. The league's first event is set for Friday at the META Apex in Las Vegas, airing on Paramount+, with a lineup of exciting fights including Callum Walsh vs. Carlos Ocampo, Misael Rodriguez vs. Austin Deanda, and Julian Rodriguez vs. Cain Sandoval.
This marks a reunion for Qerim and Kellerman, who worked together on 'First Take' for years. Despite her departure from the program last year, Qerim's new role with Zuffa Boxing is a testament to her versatility and expertise in the sports world. The five-year deal with Paramount, which is also UFC's sole rightsholder, has been praised by Dana White as a successful collaboration, with plans to continue improving.
Editor's Note: RedBird Capital's investment in both Paramount and Front Office Sports adds an interesting layer to the partnership, potentially influencing the coverage and future of the league.
