Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

We are back for a weekend that has compelling title fights in Orlando and California and we have lots of fight news to go over, too, on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter to go over it allFirst a preview of the Saturday Matchroom DAZN card in Orlando, FloridaCarlos Adames vs. Austin Williams, 12 rounds, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title. Adames had problems making weight two months ago to postpone this one. And, "Ammo" Williams can fight. We have some analysis.Also, former Olympian Omari Jones vs. Christian Gomez, 8 rounds, junior middleweights. And massive Teremoana Teremoana vs. Curtis Harper, 8 rounds, heavyweights. We have more on those two bouts.Then, a preview of Saturday's ProBoxTV main event in San Bernardino, CaliforniaLester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem, for vacant WBC interim super middleweight title. Martinez is an action fighter looking to move up in the status in 168 lb. ranks.Some News Top Rank back in business. Press conference was on Wednesday at New York’s Madison Square Garden to announce their multi-year deal with DAZN. We have more on some of the specifics and does it mean that another prominent promotion, Golden Boy, is now out in the cold with DAZN?Next, WBC junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith and former titleholder and mandatory challenger Alberto Puello two weeks after their mandatory was ordered have a deal. Paperwork being finalized for June 6th in a Matchroom Boxing headlined in Smith’s hometown of Sheffield, England. Dan has more.With Frank Sanchez-Richard Torrez Jr. IBF heavyweight eliminator postponed, PBC made some changes to the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view card on March 28: New co-feature is a junior middleweight fight between former interim titleholders Yoenis Tellez and Brian Mendoza.-- Middleweight bout between Yoenli Hernandez Terrell Gausha intact --New PPV opener: 10-round heavyweight fight between promising Gurgen Hovhannisyan and Cesar Navarro-- Super middleweight fight between Elijah Garcia and Kevin Newman II was the opener but now will be the final bout of the free prelims on Prime Video.Also, PBC officially announces David Benavidez-Zurdo Ramirez PPV undercard on May 2: WBA super mddleweight titlist Armando Reséndiz defends vs. Jaime Munguía Junior welterweight Oscar Duarte vs. Angel Fierro Junior middleweight Isaac Lucero vs. Alan Sandoval  And, back to Top Rank, which has promoted heavyweight Jared Anderson for his entire career, is in talks with Queensberry Promotions about a co-promotional deal, that could start with his appearance the Wardley-Dubois card May 9th. Dan has more on why this move and they discuss is Anderson still motivated to be a a great fighter or not?It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

Coming up Saturday night March 28th in Las Vegas, former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman will challenge WBC junior middleweight champ Sebastian Fundora in an intriguing "PBC on Prime" PPV main event.But before we get to that fight week, hear "One Time" with our insider Dan Rafael in a one on one conversation.Can Thurman recapture his championship form of the 2010's despite a series of long layoffs that have him having fought only twice since 2019? His only career loss is to future hall of famer Manny Pacquiao and he did demonstrate somethig by going to Australia and getting a KO of Brock Jarvis.Also, what about the imposing height and reach of the champion Fundora in this matchup?Thurman always has something to say on any and all subjects, and he doesn't disappoint here on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast." And, make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We ready for an action packed weekend of championship action from Ireland to Southern California on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return for their insight and takes.First, they preview the Golden Boy DAZN card Saturday night in Anaheim, CaliforniaWelterweight Arnold Barboza meets Kenneth Sims in a 12 round contender main event. Both are looking to stay in contention in the division.Also, WBO/WBA strawweight champion Oscar Collazo defends against Jesus Haro. Welterweight Alexis Rocha looks to get back on the winning track vs. veteran Jo Jo Diaz, and  undisputed women’s flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora meets her mandatory challenger Viviana Ruiz Corredor. Then, a preview of the Queensberry DAZN main event on Saturday in Dublin, IrelandJames "Jazza" Dickens battles former world champ. Anthony Cacace, 12 rounds, for Dickens’ WBA junior lightweight title. This will be a rockiing atmosphere for two hard hitting 130 lb. fighters. Some newsJai Opetaia team has sent legal letters to various industry folks demanding records preservation ahead of a possible lawsuit against the IBF by he and Zuffa Boxing claiming “that the IBF's abrupt decision to withdraw was the product of coordinated, industry-wide collusion designed to punish him for working with Zuffa and to deter other athletes from doing the same.”Big Dan was texted the letter from a numbe he did not know and I know at least one other boxing writer it was also sent to. It's CRAZY and he has more! Per sources, negotiations are ongoing for a fight between former lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis and WBC interim junior welterweight titlist Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz to meet in a rematch that would headline a PBC on Prime PPV this summer while Davis’ court case winds it way through the Florida legal system. The boys discuss.Dan is also reporting, lineal and unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert have a  deal. The purse bid scheduled for this past Tuesday was cancdeled and the fight is supposed to be added to the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven Ring magazine undercard on May 23 outdoors at the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt.Bivol's manager Vadim Kornilov also told Dan about Bivol’s “hit list” for his next three fights.  Heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez is dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired knee, which forced him on Wednesday to postpone his IBF title eliminator against Richard Torrez Jr. on the March 28 Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman PBC on Prime Video PPV. Sources told me plans are to reschedule it for May 30 on the undercard of the soon-to-be-finalized Devin Haney-Rolando Romero welterweight unification fight in Brooklyn.  The IBF on Tuesday stripped Janibek Alimkhanuly of its middleweight world title but not specifically due to the failed VADA test but because by the time returns from a year suspension he will not have been able to fulfill his mandatory defense, which is due on or before July 4.  Tim Tszyu will take a warm-up fight before an expected summer bout with Errol Spence. He will fight Denis Nurja in a 10-rounder at 157 pounds in Wollongong, Australia. PBC announced Wednesday the card will be stream on Prime Video in the U.S. on April 4 at 9 p.m. (April 5 morning in Australia). Card also includes Australia’s Sam Goodman in a hometown fight against Rodrigo Ruiz in an IBF junior featherweight title eliminator.  And, Zuffa Boxing 05 card is set for April 5 at Apex in Las Vegas. Main event announced during Opetaia-Glanton card: Andres Cortes will move up to lightweight and fight Eridson Garcia. Also, not announced yet but per Dan's reporting, in the co-feature, former WBC featherweight titlist Mark Magsayo will face former WBA junior lightweight title challenger Feargal McCrory in a 10-rounder as both also move up to lightweight.Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

Off of a controversial wekend in Vegas, where it ended up that Jai Opetaia of Australia was NOT the IBF champiion any longer for fighting the Zuffa Boxing main event, we're ready to recap his victory in the ring, have some other fight news and more on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap" Podcast!Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter have their insight on it all.They begin with the background of the IBF stripping Opetaia just before the bout in Las Vegas with American Brandon Glanton- a fight that the Aussie won easily over 12 rounds. It was still for the Ring Magazine version of the crusierweight crown and  for Opetaia’s lineal cruiserweight title, but Dan wants to konw- WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!The guys have thoughts, including the ramifications for Opetaia down the road, etc.Also, there's a recap of former WBA featherweight titlist Mauricio Lara scoring a TKO2 over Mexican countryman Rafael Rosas on Saturday night in the main event of the Boxstrs/Chiquita Boxing card that headlined the ESPN "Knock Out" telecast.  Then, some news:WBO welterweight titleholder Devin Haney and WBA titlist Rolando Romero are negotiating a unification fight targeted for May 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The bout would be PBC on Prime Video PPV and Dan has also latest.Next, undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue will defend his crown against three-division titleholder Junto Nakatani in the long-expected and highly anticipated showdown on May 2nd at the Tokyodome in Tokyo, Ohashi Promotions announced at a news conference on Friday in Tokyo. This is a tremendous all Japanese matchup that we are looking forward to for May.We have more on Friday’s announcement of the Most Valuable Promotions/ESPN deal that is long term for women's boxing to regularly be part of ESPN's linear channel and their other platforms over a multi-year deal. Alycia Baumgardner headlines the first U.S. show in April.The WBC has ordered junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith to make his first defense against mandatory challenger and former titleholder Alberto Puello. A purse bid on April 3rd will happen, if no deal is reached before then.And, Mario Barrios announced that he will move up to junior middleweight in the wake of losing the WBC welterweight title by near-shutout decision to Ryan Garcia last month.It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are back and ready for a "Title" Fight at cruiserweight, but curious as to which title is at stake in Las Vegas Sunday night. We sort that and preview that matchup and have some fight news on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast!Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael to go over it all.They start with Sunday night’s Zuffa Boxing main event at the Apex in Las VegasJai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton, for Opetaia’s lineal cruiserweight title, the Ring Magazine belt, the Zuffa new title, but what about Opetaia's IBF championship? That's unclear. We have the latest.  Then, some newsGolden Boy Promotions won a legal victory in United States District Court in Nevada on Monday night, as Judge Cristina Silva keeps Golden Boy's interim injunctive relief preventing, at least for now, Vergil Ortiz from contracting for the Jarpm Ennis. She has ordered the case be settled in arbitration. We explain what it all means for now?Then, William Zepeda and Lamont Roach Jr. will fight for the vacant WBC lightweight title stripped from Shakur Stevenson last month. However, how is the "interim" WBC 135 lb. champ Jadier Herrera not involved?Floyd Mayweather announces another exhibition- this one for June 27 in Athens, Greece, vs. Mike Zambidis, a retired Greek kickboxer who won a variety of world titles in various promotions during his 2000 to 2015 career.  How many exhibitions are we up to with Floyd before he rematches Pacquiao in September?MVP is hosting a press conference at Madison Square Garden on Friday for what it says is a major announcement. Per Dan's reporting, it will be to announce an April 17 card involving Alycia Baumgardner in a unified women’s junior lightweight title defense vs. former lightweight title challenger Bo Mi Re Shin of Korea with the card on ESPN as the first of multiple ESPN events.  Eddie Hearn announced Thursday he has signed UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall as his first client of the newly created Matchroom Talent Agency. Will put him negotiating with Dana White on Aspinnal’s UFC fight. That should be fun to hear Eddie talk about how underpaid UFC fighters are. We go over the latest in the fued.And, with Oscar Duarte having his title shot vs. Richardson Hitchins canceled the day of the fight from the Barrios-Garcia card,  Golden Boy tells Dan they plan to add him to the May 2 Benavidez-Zurdo PPV card.It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

Coming up Sunday night in Las Vegas, IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia will make his debut with Zuffa Boxing in their main event.However, is this fight for his title or will he potentially have to give it up, as Zuffa seems insistent on not doing business with the existing boxing organizations?Well he addresses that situation and the opponent he's faciing, American Brandon Glanton and more with our insider Dan Rafael. Will the hard hitting, unbeaten Aussie Opetaia get bigger and better fights because of Zuffa or will this quicklly turn into a mess out of the ring for him?We are about to find out.Here more from the champ on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It was a devastating performance for Mexican star Emanuel Navarrete to become unified champ, plus, we've got the IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia with us and more on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."Host T.J. Rives is back along with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to give their insight and more.First, they recap Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN card from Glendale, ArizonaNavarrete dominated and scored a TKO11 over Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez and unifies WBO/IBF 130 lb. titles. It was a great showing, but why did the referee and ring doctor, etc. not stop it quicker? Plus, what's out there for the new unified champ?And, on the undercard, Emiliano Vargas TKO9 Agustin Quintana, junior welterweights and upset as Abel Ramos W10 split decision over prospect Tahmir Smalls at welterweight Next, Jai Opetaia joins Dan, as next Sunday March 8th he defends the lineal, and supposedly the IBF cruiserweight title against Brandon Glanton in the main event of the Zuffa Boxing card at the Apex in Las Vegas on Paramount+. Hear Opetaia on why he's signed with Zuffa and what he expects in this one and beyond?Then, NEWSLineal/unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will fight Rico Verhoeven, a former longtime kickboxing heavyweight champion and regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers ever, in the main event of a Ring magazine card on May 23 (DAZN PPV) outdoors to the exotic backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt. On Sunday, the WBC announced it will sanction it as a title fight. WBA and IBF have both told me they have not been contacted about the bout.Ryan Garcia healing from a sprained right hand in his win over Mario Barrios but said on social media he will be back this summer and wants to fight Devin Haney in a rematch/unification fight.Discussions for a fight between Edgar Berlanga and Chris Eubank Jr. possibly at super middleweight. Both need a win.The exodus of talent continues in drips from Top Rank as former WBO featherweight titlist and two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez announced Friday that his contract with Top Rank has expired and that he is a free agent.And, Queensberry Promotions is headed to France as its international expansion continues in April with a DAZN card in Paris headlined by French heavyweight Tony Yoka vs. former cruserweight champ, Lawrence Okolie and junior middleweight up-and-comer Bakary Samake vs. Ermal Hadribeaj in the co-feature.  It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We're back with a potential exciting junior lightweight battle in Arizona for unification as the most prominent fight of the weekend and some very interesting fight news, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter return with their insight and takesPreview Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN card in Glendale, ArizonaEmanuel Navarrete vs. Eduardo Nunez, WBO/IBF junior lightweight unification. Both guys can really punch and also get hit. We have thoughts on the battle. Plus,Tahmir Smalls vs. Abel Ramos, 10 rounds, welterweightsEmiliano Vargas vs. Agustin Quintana, 10 rounds, junior welterweights  News Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch announced Monday for Sept. 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas and on Netflix in a bout that counts on the recrods. Both are in their late 40's and it's 11 years after they fought. What ARE WE DOING HERE?!Conor Benn’s one-fight, $15 million fight with Zuffa/Turki Alashikh will be against Regis Prograis in a 10-rounder at 150 pounds on the Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Makhmudov card it was announced on Thursday. Will make him by far the highest paid undercard fight of all time.  Jake Paul announced he had to have a second surgery on the broken jaw he suffered in the sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua on Dec.19. Will we see him again in 2026?Katie Taylor, one of the greatest female boxers of all time, announced she will have a farewell fight later this year in Dublin. We have more.Claressa Shields shutout over Franchon Crews Dezurn on Sunday night to retain the women’s undisputed heavyweight title  in their rematch. Huge crowd of about 18,000 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.  WBO/IBF middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly was suspended by the WBO for a year – but allowed to keep the title -- and by the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation for six months. This is related to testing positive for the banned substance Meldonium days before he was scheduled to face WBA titlist Erislandy Lara in a three-belt unification fight on Dec. 6. The IBF has yet to rule. He gets to keep the belts?!  Again, WHAT are we doing here?! Also, WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames will make his third defense in a rescheduled bout against Austin “Ammo” Williams in the main event of a quickly scheduled Matchroom Boxing card on March 21 (DAZN) at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.  And, finally, the IBF on Monday ordered junior welterweight titlist Richardson Hitchins to next make his mandatory defense against Lindolfo Delgado. This comes days after Hitchins’ optional against Oscar Duarte was canceled when Hitchins became ill and was vomiting after breakfast on the morning of the fight. We explain why Duarte isn't getting the title fight, for now.It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's a SWERVE in the boxing promotional world as the new start up, Zuffa Boxing, in the U.S. has snatched away British prominent fighter Conor Benn from U.K. based Matchroom Boxing.We had a spirited discussion on this weekend's "Fight Freaks Unite Recap," as host T.J. Rives particularly is criticizing the terms of the signing by Zuffa and how it hypocritically contradicts their supposed "revolutionizing" boxing promotions with their own system, fighter pay model and ignoring the boxing organizations.Insider Dan Rafael provides his counter points, but also agrees and is questioning how Zuffa can justify the apparent ridiculous money that Benn is getting for a "one off" fight with them?Benn is off his career best win defeating Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch last November. And what about how he left Matchroom, whom had stood by him, including financially, during his PED suspension?Enjoy this portion of the Pod and a reminder to hear the whole show, just click the previous podcast on this feed. And, make sure to follow/subscribe for all the content here on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

A Tremendous performance by Ryan Garcia leads the weekend and we talk about his long awaited world title win on Saturday night in Vegas, plus the rest of the PPV card, a win for Leigh Wood in his all British showdown and some very intriguing fight news too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to go over it all.The start with the Ring mag DAZN PPV card Saturday night in Las Vegas ,as Ryan Garcia dominated Mario Barrios over 12 and wins the WBC welterweight crown. It was a great performance by "King Ry" and we dissect why.Next the Richardson Hitchins IBF 140 lb. defense with Oscar Duarte was canceled Saturday late morning in Vegas. Dan has the latest on what happened and why the conspiracy theorists should PIPE DOWN.Also, Gary Antuanne Russell W12 over Andy Hiraoka, and keeps the WBA junior welterweight crownFrank Martin had a draw with Nahir Albright in a junior welterweight clash.Bektemir Melikuziev deeats Sena Agbeko,and keeps WBA "Continental" super middleweight crownPlus Amari Jones and Mohammed Alakel get KOs, but American heayweight Joshua Edwards struggled over six rounds with his opponent, Brandon Colantonio.Next the Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event Saturday in Nottingham, EnglandLeigh Wood won an easy 12 rounder for the most part with Josh Warrington, in their junor lightweight rematch. Could it have been both of their final fights?Next, some NEWSHall of famer Floyd Mayweather, who turns 49 on Tuesday, announces he will exit retirement for an official fight later this summer after his spring exhibition with Mike Tyson slated for Afrrica.... WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!Next, in something of shocker, British welterweight star Conor Benn has signed with Zuffa Boxing, they announced on Friday. Per Dan's sources it is one-fight deal worth a staggering $15 million to fight by the end of May.  There are lots of takes, including T.J. pointing out that Zuffa is not raally revolutionizing anything... they're just like all the other promotions competing for fighters and willing to overpay to do it.And finally unified cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez, the WBC light heavyweight titleholder moving up in weight, met he media on Saturday morning in Las Vegas to officially announce their May 2 PBC on Prime Video PPV fight, which will take place T-Mobile Arena.Dan has some thoughts on the kickoff presser.Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's an intriguing weekend of fights and we're ready to go over it all from Las Vegas to England and back to Detroit on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack/Newsletter with their insight and analysis.First, Saturday’s Ring magazine DAZN PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las VegasMario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia, 12 rounds, for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title, There are more questions than answers about both of these guys, but mainly for Garcia in this one. What kind of fighter is he still? We're about to find out.The co feature is Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte, 12 rounds, for Hitchins’ IBF junior welterweight title and Gary Antuanne Russell meets Andy Hiraoka, 12 rounds, for Russell’s WBA junior welterweight title. We have takes and could these two meet in a unification bout?Dan also has quick insight on:Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright, 10 rounds, junior welterweightsBektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko, 10 rounds, super middleweightsAmari Jones vs. Luis Arias, 10 rounds, middleweightsJoshua Edwards vs. Brandon Colantonio, 6 rounds, heavyweightsMohammed Alakel vs. David Calabro, 6 rounds, junior lightweightsThen, it's Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Nottingham, EnglandLeigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington, rematch, 12 rounds, junior lightweights. This will have an atmosphere and let's see if the fight lives up to the build up. Wood won easily the first time. And, also, Sunday’s Salita Promotions DAZN main event in DetroitClaressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn, rematch, 10 rounds, for Shields’ women’s undisputed heavyweight title. She's arguably the top women's fighter of this generation, but she doesn't punch that hard and has had very little challenges recently. This bout is a rematch and let's see if Shields is dominant again. Next, some newsGolden Boy and Team Vergil Ortiz are set for Friday hearing in Las Vegas on their lawsuit battles and the temporary restraining order that GB got to stop Ortiz, for now, from negotiating without him. We have more on the situation. Meanwhile, Golden Boy announces March 14 "one-off" card with DAZN at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California-Arnold Barboza Jr. will move up to welterweight and face Kenneth Sims Jr.in the main eventAlso: WBO/WBA strawweight champion Oscar Collazo defends vs. Jesus Haro but not the three-belt unification originally planned vs. WBC titlist Melvin JerusalemPlus, women’s undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora vs. WBA interim titlist Viviana Ruiz Corredor  Next, the announcement that Manny Pacquiao, age 47, will face former junior welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round welterweight exhibition bout on April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Industry Media and Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions announced on Tuesday night.  Ready? WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!And, Queensberry Promotions had the official announcement that WBO heavyweight titleholder Fabio Wardley will make his first defense against British countryman and former IBF titlist Daniel Dubois on May 9 at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.It's all on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Coming up Saturday night February 21st in Las Vegas, WBC welterweight champ Mario Barrios returns in a pay per view main event against Ryan Garcia. However, before we get to fight week Barrios spent time with our insider Dan Rafael discussing several subjects.These include his draw last Summer with hall of famer Manny Pacquiao, the feud that Garcia has created with Barrios' trainer Joe Goossen, who was briefly trained by Goossen and what's the future of the welterweight division?Barrios has been in the ring with the likes of Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Keith Thurman, as well as the legend Pacquiao, and now he headlines with the social media star Garcia in a massive financial and career moment, again.Hear him in his own words with Dan, as fight week gets cranked up in Vegas.It's all part our of coverage here on the Big Fight Weekend Podcast feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Coming up Saturday night in Las Vegas, IBF junior welterweight champ Richardson Hitchins will face Oscar Duarte at T-Mobile Arena on the undercard of the Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia PPV.The bout will be the second IBF defense for Hitchins and before he makes it, he spent some time with our insider Dan Rafael. They discuss the battle with the veteran Duarte and the future for the New Yorker at 140 lb. should he be victorious?Hear it here on our podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's a light weekend in the ring, but there is a heavyweight main event of note, plus, a world champ who's about to defend joins us one on one. All on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter.First, a preview of the Zuffa Boxing Paramount+ card on Sunday at Apex in Las VegasEfe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin, 10 rounds, heavyweights. What do either of these guys have at this stage with both having recent losses and having been relatively inactive? Next, Dan talks with Mario Barrios, as he defends the WBC welterweight title vs. Ryan Garcia in the main event of the Ring magazine DAZN PPV card on Feb. 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. And, some newsErrol Spence vs. Tim Tszyu in works for June in Australia? Spence out of a near three year hiatius. Is he really coming back? We discuss.Next- Announced Thursday: Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Mahkmudov will take place at Tottrernham Hotspur Stadium in London for Aprill 11.Also,Osleys Iglesias, a heavy-hitting Cuban southpaw, and Russia’s Pavel Silyagin will fight for the vacant IBF super middleweight title April 9 in Montreal in the Eye of the Tiger main event.Baltimore circuit court judge Althea Handy has recalled the arrest warrant issued for Gervonta Davis and instead, at the request of his lawyer, instead issue a summons to appear and order GPS monitoring. Will Davis comply and show up, though? And, his legal troubles are still in progress thre and in South Florida on domestic violence charges.And, a little chit chat on Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas being part of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show Sunday night!And, a happy birthday shoutout to legendary HBO broadcaster Larry Merchant for turning an amazing 95 years old!It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We are back off a weekend with world title fights in Mexico and England, including a dramatic KO in the final round for a former champ, who's a champ, again. We have that and fight news, including a hall of famer filing suit for what he says are hundreds of millions owed. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack And NewsletterFirst we talk Saturday’s Queensberry/DAZN main event in LiverpoolFeatherweight Brandon Figueroa scores a dramatic TKO12 over Nick Ball and wins the WBA title. The guys discuss the huge final round, the silliness of Ball's corner and supporters after the fight in the ring and what are the options for Figueroa, now? Then, they talk Friday’s Matchroom/BXSTARS/DAZN main event in Guadalajara, MexicoBantamweight Christian Medina wins convincingly over Adrian Curiel by decision, retains WBO title. Next some NewsFlloyd Mayweather sues Showtime, Stephen Espinoza for $340 million and punitive damages late last week saying he's owed for mega-fights with Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor. Dan has the lawsuit and particulars and the boys discuss.Talks under way for Fabio Wardley to defend WBO heavyweight title vs. Daniel Dubois. Dan thinks it's compelling... TJ, not so much.Two-time featherweight title challenger Michael Conlan, the popular two-time Irish Olympian aiming to land another shot, will fight Kevin Walsh in a Belfast, Northern Ireland, hometown bout on March 20 (DAZN) at SSE Arena on an MF Pro card.And, MVP set for first UK card with four women’s world title fights with Caroline Dubois-Terri Harper headlining in a lightweight unification bout. We discuss.It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We're back to go over two separate world title main events in both Mexico and England, plus, LOTS of fight news, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and NewsletterPreviewsMatchroom/BXSTARS card Friday night on DAZN in Guadalajara, MexicoChristian Medina vs. Adrian Curiel, for Medina’s WBO bantamweight title. Should be a highly competitve world title fight.Queensberry card Saturday on DAZN in Liverpool, EnglandNick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa, for Ball’s WBA featherweight title. This fight has the makings of an entertaining, brawling battle. NewsWBC strips Shakur Stevenson of lightweight belt in an apparent sanctioning fee dispute like with Crawford. We HAVE TAKES! Baltimore judge in Gervonta Davis hit and run case issues warrant for his arrest due violating probation terms related the domestic violence case in Miami Gardens, Florida. Will he be doing time again in Baltimore. Bakhram Murtazaliev, who lost the IBF junior middleweight title by majority decision to Josh Kelly last Saturday, has formally asked the IBF to order an immediate rematch. What kind of chance does he have?Lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who became the first current champion to sign with upstart Zuffa Boxing last month and whose first fight with the company was announced for March 8 (Paramount+) at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, will face Brandon Glanton, per source to Dan.Mandatory challenger Liam Paro will have the Australian home advantage when he challenges IBF welterweight titlist Lewis Crocker after his promoter, No Limit Boxing, beat Matchoom Boxing in a purse bid on Tuesday. Dan has the details on how it happened.With Diego Pacheco pulling out of talks with Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant WBO super middleweight title, Sheeraz will fight Alem Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), 38, of Germany, whose record is glittering but whose resume is devoid of a single notable foe. The fight hasn’t been announced yet but, per Dan sources, it will take place May 9 in Manchester, England.  NostalgiaFirst-ever HBO “Boxing After Dark” card at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where Marco Antonio Barrera TKO12 Kennedy McKinney in a spectacular war – Feb. 3, 1996 – 30 years ago on Tuesday. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was an action packed weekend of big time main event fights in the USA and the U.K. and we're ready to go over it all and have some fight news on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" podcast!Host T.J..Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to give their takes on the fights and implications for the winners.First, they go over the Ring 6 DAZN PPV card on Saturday night in New York ]Shakur Stevenson dominates over 12 Teofimo Lopez and wins lineal/WBO 140 lb. title. A tremendous boxing exhibition and what's next for Shakur?Also, Keyshawn Davis TKO12 Jamaine Ortiz, 12 rounds, junior welterweights. A bounceback night that the talented Davis needed.Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington KO9 Carlos Castro and wins vacant WBC featherweight crown. Big night for Shu Shu.Plus,Jarrell Miller "loses his lid" in a W10 over Kingsley Ibeh in a heavyweight fight.Austin “Ammo” Williams defeats Wendy Toussaint by decision.Kevin Castillo W8  over Saudi prospect Ziyad Almayouf junior welterweights.Then, the Top Rank card Saturday in San Juan, Puerto RicoXander Zayas W12 split decision over Abass Baraou and unifies WBO/WBA 154 lb. tiles. Huge night for Zayas and what's next?Also, Matchroom Boxing main event on DAZN on Saturday in Newcastle, EnglandJosh Kelly W12 in an upset over Bakhram Murtazaliev, and wins the IBF 154  lb. What a moment for the Brit and what's next? Is it the name Jaron Ennis?Finally, some newsDeontay Wilder-Derek Chisora is official for April 4th at The 02 in London  BWAA and Ring magazine 2025 awards announced and we discussNonito Donaire to fight on in WBA bantamweight eliminator on a big show in Japan March 15th. Why is he continuing?Hear it all on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

This is a LOADED weekend of action as multiple world title main events are happening in NYC, Puerto Rico and Newcastle, England. And, we're ready for it all, including some fight news, too, on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter to go over it all.First, a Preview of the Ring magazine DAZN PPV card Saturday in New York CityTeofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson, for Lopez’s lineal/WBO junior welterweight title. Shakur moves up against arguably his toughest challenge yet in Lopez. The guys give their thoughts. Plus, a loaded undercard:Keyshawn Davis returns from disgrace to meet Jamaine Ortiz in a10 round  junior welterweight bout.Carlos Adames vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title.Local favoririte Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Carlos Castro, for the vacant WBC featherweight title and Jarrell Miller vs. Kingsley Ibeh, 10 rounds, heavyweights. Plus, Ziyad Almayouf vs. Kevin Castillo, 8 rounds, junior welterweights Next, it's a preview of the Top Rank card Saturday in San Juan on TR Classics FAST channelXander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou, 12 rounds, WBO/WBA junior middleweight unification. A HUGE homecoming fight for the young Zayas, but is Baraou going to be tough? And, rising Rohan Polanco vs. Christian Gomez, 10 rounds, welterweights Then, a preview of the Matchroom Boxing DAZN card Saturday in Newcastle, EnglandBakhram Murtazaliev finally returns after 16 months vs. Josh Kelly, 12 rounds, for Murtazaliev’s IBF junior middleweight title. And, a Preview of the Zuffa Boxing Paramount+ card Sunday in Las VegasJose Valenzeula vs. Diego Torres, 10 rounds, lightweightsSerhii Bohachuk vs. Radzhab Butaev, 10 rounds, middleweightsOleksandr Gvozdyk vs. Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic, 10 rounds, light heavyweights  NEWSTyson Fury’s ring return is official: He will fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in the headliner of a Ring magazine card on April 11, live on Netflix, at a UK site to be announced. We have more.Gervonta Davis was arrested in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Wednesday, two weeks after a warrant was issued on battery, false imprisonment and attempted kidnapping charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident with a former girlfriend on Oct. 27. Is his career over?The undercard Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia announced by Turki Alashikh:IBF junior welterweight titlist Richardson Hitchins defends against Oscar Duarte, WBA junior welterweight titlist Gary Antuanne Russell against mandatory Andy Hiraoka, Junior welterweight Frank Martin against Nahir Albright and super middleweight Bektemir Melikuziev against Sena Agbeko.  The WBC announced on Tuesday that Christian Mbilli has been elevated from the organization’s interim super middleweight titleholder to the full world titlist. Who is he fighting next?And, Warriors Boxing Top Rank both Told big Dan they have reached an agreement for the IBF heavyweight title eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez purse bid canceled. Fight is likely to be on March 28 in Las Vegas on the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman PPV.It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Coming up Satruday night in NYC at Madison Square Garden it's the return of WBO junior welterweight champ Teofimo Lopez, as he takes on unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in a Ring/Turki Alashikh PPV main event.But, before fight night, you can hear Teofimo with our insider Dan Rafael on why he took this fight with the fellow American star Stevenson. The New York (Lopez) vs. New Jersey (Stevenson) angle and much more on the possible future for Lopez, if he wins.It's never dull with Teofimo on the show and he's direct with his thoughts on it all.It's all part of our coverage on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We're back to recap the weekend from Las Vegas, including Raymond Muratalla defending his IBF Lightweight Crown, plus the Zuffa Boxing innagural card/broadcast took place on Friday night and we have some fight news too on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter give their takes and insightFirst, a recap of the Saturday Matchroom DAZN card in Las VegasLightweight Raymond Muratalla W12 majority decision over Andy Cruz and retains IBF title. Why was he so good and what's next for Muratalla? Then, on the undercard light heavyweight but massively overweight Khalil Coe wins majority  decision over Jesse Hart,Junior middleweight Israil Madrimov decisions Luis David Salazar and rising junior middleweight Omari Jones decisions Jerome Baxter. Dan gives some analysis. Then, a recap of Friday’s Zuffa Boxing debut on Paramount+in Las VegasCallum Walsh decisions Carlos Ocampo, 10 rounds, middleweights, as expected. And, on the undercard middleweight Misael Rodriguez won over Austin Deanda in 10 rounds and Cain Sandoval outpoints Julian Rodrigue in a junior welterweight fight.Plus, they go over some general thoughts on the launch/production/product of Zuffa and the streamer Paramount+Next, some newsLineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who became the first current champion to sign with Zuffa Boxing, will defend the title on March 8 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. But, who's the opponent?Matchroom Boxing will re-sign unified junior bantamweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. Although he was a free agent, Matchroom retained the right to match any offer and has done so, matching an offer from Zuffa.  Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who announced earlier this month — to the surprise of nobody — that he would end his latest retirement, is being lined up for an April ring return. Who's the likely opponent for him?And, Boxxer’s Jan. 31 main event in London, Adam Azim vs. Gustavo Lemos, IBF junior welterweight eliminator for No. 2 spot is postponed after BOTH fighters suffered injuries. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc. !!