Molly Qerim announces first post-ESPN job that will see eagerly-awaited Max Kellerman reunion

Molly Qerim has landed her first job since a sudden exit from ESPN.

The much-loved First Take star stunned fans when she walked away from the morning debate show last September, after hosting for more than a decade.

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She has since been replaced by former SportCenter anchor Shae Cornette, but will return to screens four months on for a new venture.

What is Molly Qerim’s new role?

Qerim, 41, has been announced as the new host of Zuffa Boxing, a joint venture between TKO and Sela, which will have its first event on Friday night in Las Vegas.

She will be at the desk alongside former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, Ring Magazine insider Mike Coppinger, and longtime boxing reporter Mark Kriegel.

Qerim will also be reuniting with another former ESPN talent — Max Kellerman, who she worked with on First Take for years — who is part of the announce team alongside Joe Tessitore and International Boxing Hall of Famer Andre Ward.

Zuffa Boxing, the upstart promotion that is backed by executives including WWE president Nick Khan, UFC president Dana White, and Turki Alalshikh, will air it’s inaugural event on Paramount+.

To kick off a new era of the sport, undefeated Irish junior middleweight prospect Callum Walsh will face seasoned veteran Carlos Ocampo in the main event at the UFC Apex in Vegas.

Misael Rodriguez vs Austin Deanda, Julian Rodriguez vs Cain Sandoval and Omar Trinidad vs Max Ornelas will also feature on the eight-bout card.

Molly Qerim ‘reenergized’ ahead of Zuffa Boxing debut

Announcing her hosting duties on social media, Qerim noted that Friday’s action will be must-watch, and also thanked fans for their support after her high-profile ESPN departure.

“Beyond excited to host Zuffa Boxing — a sport I’ve loved since Friday Night Fights — and to reconnect with so many longtime friends,” she posted on her Instagram story.

“Fighter meetings here in Vegas are wrapped, and I feel completely reenergized, ready to pour into this new chapter and help build something special from the ground up.

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Instagram @mollyqerim

“Huge thank you to Dana and Nick for believing in me. Boxing fans — don’t miss Friday night, and if you’re not a boxing fan… check us out, you might become one.

“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out since I decided to leave ESPN; the support has meant more than you know. This time off – family, travel, presence — has been such a gift. I’m back. Much love, MQ.”

Why did Molly Qerim leave ESPN?

News of Qerim’s abrupt departure from ESPN four months ago was first broken by Sports Business Journal, and left the presenter upset that she couldn’t announce it herself.

In a statement that followed, she noted it was time to close an ‘incredible chapter’ of her life after much reflection.

Qerim did not specify her next move in that message to fans, and was mostly out of the public eye in the weeks and months that followed.

ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus, later explained that prior to her departure from the Worldwide Leader, both sides had already determined that she would be taken off of First Take when her contract expired at the end of 2025.

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He also said there were conversations about a contract renewal to keep her with the network, but he felt that she wanted to ‘explore other things’ and that the two ‘weren’t totally aligned.’

Qerim, indeed, has swapped those morning First Take debates for the bright lights of boxing.

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