Molly Qerim returned to television screens Friday, hosting the studio desk for Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural event at the Meta APEX, her first on-air role since departing ESPN’s “First Take” last year.
Qerim, who hosted “First Take” for more than a decade alongside Stephen A. Smith and others before her exit in September, anchored pre- and post-fight coverage for the new boxing promotion’s debut on Paramount+. She worked alongside former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, boxing insider Mike Coppinger and longtime reporter Mark Kriegel.
The broadcast team also featured play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore, analysts Max Kellerman (reuniting with Qerim from their ESPN days) and two-division champion Andre Ward, with Heidi Androl serving as ringside reporter and Joe Martinez as ring announcer. The production drew comparisons to UFC events, with clean graphics, pre-fight packages and a focus on fighter entrances featuring Zuffa-branded shorts.
Zuffa Boxing 01 headlined by undefeated welterweight Callum Walsh’s unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo (98-90, 98-90, 97-91) over 10 rounds. Other notable results included Misael Rodriguez’s fourth-round TKO of Austin Deanda and Omar Trinidad’s 10th-round TKO stoppage of Max Ornelas. The eight-fight card featured mostly decisions and played out in front of a near-capacity but subdued crowd at the small Meta APEX venue.
Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between TKO Group Holdings (parent company of UFC and WWE) and Saudi entertainment firm Sela. Launched in 2025 under the guidance of UFC CEO Dana White and Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, the promotion secured an exclusive streaming deal with Paramount+. White has described the Paramount+ partnership positively, noting strong early alignment.
Reviews of the debut were mixed but generally positive on production values and the experienced on-air talent. The fights earned a C+ grade in one assessment for delivering solid action without major knockouts or upsets, while broadcast elements scored a C- to B- amid some criticism of promotional hype and minor streaming glitches for international viewers. White acknowledged post-event that improvements are needed, comparing the launch to UFC’s early days and projecting growth across 12 planned 2026 events.
Qerim’s polished studio presence helped guide discussions on the card and promotion’s ambitions, signaling a smooth transition into boxing coverage for the veteran host. Zuffa Boxing aims to establish itself as a major player by blending UFC-style production with traditional boxing in upcoming shows.
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