Just imagine: you’ve won a fight on the biggest stage. After months of brutal toiling, sweat, and blood at training camp, you want to speak to the whole world and tell them what you achieved. But just as that moment arrives, it gets snatched away because “time’s running out.” Something similar unfolded on the undercard of the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua Netflix boxing event.

Making his debut in the paid ranks, Brazilian Olympian cruiserweight Keno Marley, who joined Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) a few months ago, defeated three-fight veteran Diarra Davis Jr. of Baltimore, Maryland, by unanimous decision. It was a high point for the 25-year-old from Bahia, Brazil. He wanted to tell the world what he had accomplished. He wanted to say that he was back after back-to-back setbacks at the Olympics. But no. Ariel Helwani had to cut him short during the in-ring interview because time was running out before the next bout. Fans didn’t like it, though.

Ariel Helwani & Keno Marley: A mic exchange that missed the mark

After introducing Keno Marley to the crowd, the MMA journalist kept the microphone with himself. Smiling shyly, Marley asked if he could get a chance to speak, but Helwani asked him to hold on as time was running out. Smiling back and glancing at the clock, he told Marley, “We’re out of time; we’re out of time.”

Thankfully, the Brazilian debutant took it in stride and continued to smile. Noting the awkward moment, a post on X read, “You almost feel sorry for the professional debutant Keno Marley 😭.” The post immediately triggered an outpouring of rants and comments, most of them aimed at Ariel Helwani.

For the record, Helwani did not do anything intentionally. With millions of viewers watching around the world, a tightly packed event has to be managed down to the second. Any slip-up could throw the entire schedule into disarray. As a result, moments like the one involving Keno Marley often require quick thinking from the organizers. Helwani was simply following his cue.

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However, some fans overlooked these practical constraints. Let’s take a look at what they had to say.

But fans still cry foul over the rushed interview

Laughing loudly at the awkward moment, one user wrote, “Why’d Ariel keep juking him out with the mic 😂?” With the microphone held close to his body, it did appear as though Helwani only wanted to announce Marley’s victory and move on quickly.

Echoing similar sentiments, another user wrote, “Rough mic work, Ariel 🤣😭.” It may have appeared that way, but those who understood the situation likely recognized Helwani’s predicament.

Another fan went as far as questioning Helwani’s presence on the job: “How the f**k did he get this job, man?”

The jibes continued. One fan felt Helwani should have let Keno Marley speak, even if only briefly. “Ariel sucks. At this point just let the fighters talk and make it so Ariel doesn’t have time to say anything,” the user wrote. Perhaps, instead of lengthy introductions, the Canadian-American sports journalist could have handed the microphone directly to Marley and allowed him to speak his mind.

Another user was quick to point out that alternative: “Let the man have one sentence for God’s sake, smh.”

Many fans wished Helwani had allowed the Brazilian fighter at least a brief opportunity to speak.

That said, while fans were unhappy with the abrupt interview and walkaway, it is also important to understand that major events often have to be planned to the second. Helwani merely followed the instructions given to him.

Were you able to watch the Marley-Davis fight? What are your thoughts on the Olympian’s professional career?