Podcast appearances and mentions of Dan Rafael

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.!

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.! 

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 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.!

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.

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 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.!

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.!

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.! 

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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.

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. !!

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. !!

We have some action this weekend in Las Vegas to discuss and the WBO 140 lb. champ joins us too on the "BFW 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 they talk the debut of the Zuffa Boxing/Paramount+ card from Las VegasCallum Walsh vs. Carlos Ocampo, 10 rounds, middleweightsMisael Rodriguez vs. Austin Deanda, 10 rounds, middleweightsCain Sandoval vs. Julian Rodriguez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights Then, they preview the Saturday night Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Las VegasRaymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz, 12 rounds, for Muratalla's IBF lightweight titleIsrail Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar, 10 rounds, middleweights Khalil Coe vs. Jesse Hart, 10 rounds, light heavyweights Omari Jones vs. Jerome Baxter, 6 rounds, junior middleweights  Teofimo Lope INTERVIEWHe defends the lineal/WBO junior welterweight title against WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson on January 31 on a DAZN PPV at New York's Madison Square Garden in a big one Then, some newsThoughts on the Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia kickoff presse on ThuesdayZuffa Boxing in talks to sign unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk?!Heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora are finalizing an April 4 fight in London. What is this? Wasn't Wilder fighting Usyk in the USA?WBA strips Gervonta Davis (who's still at large from South Florida authorities) of lightweight title, makes him “champion in recess”Valdez, Top Rank part ways, been together his whole careerTop Rank announces Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou junior middleweight unification fight on January 31 in San Juan will stream live in the United States on its Top Rank Classics FAST channel, still no deal with a broadcaster. There are takes.Hear it all on the "BFW Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreker/Spotify, etc.

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We have some action this weekend in Las Vegas to discuss and the WBO 140 lb. champ joins us too on the "BFW 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 they talk the debut of the Zuffa Boxing/Paramount+ card from Las VegasCallum Walsh vs. Carlos Ocampo, 10 rounds, middleweightsMisael Rodriguez vs. Austin Deanda, 10 rounds, middleweightsCain Sandoval vs. Julian Rodriguez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights Then, they preview the Saturday night Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Las VegasRaymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz, 12 rounds, for Muratalla's IBF lightweight titleIsrail Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar, 10 rounds, middleweights Khalil Coe vs. Jesse Hart, 10 rounds, light heavyweights Omari Jones vs. Jerome Baxter, 6 rounds, junior middleweights  Teofimo Lope INTERVIEWHe defends the lineal/WBO junior welterweight title against WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson on January 31 on a DAZN PPV at New York's Madison Square Garden in a big one Then, some newsThoughts on the Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia kickoff presse on ThuesdayZuffa Boxing in talks to sign unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk?!Heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora are finalizing an April 4 fight in London. What is this? Wasn't Wilder fighting Usyk in the USA?WBA strips Gervonta Davis (who's still at large from South Florida authorities) of lightweight title, makes him “champion in recess”Valdez, Top Rank part ways, been together his whole careerTop Rank announces Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou junior middleweight unification fight on January 31 in San Juan will stream live in the United States on its Top Rank Classics FAST channel, still no deal with a broadcaster. There are takes.Hear it all on the "BFW Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreker/Spotify, etc.

Mario Lopez and Steve Kim are joined by Legendary Boxing Sportswriter Dan Rafael To Talk Recent Fights, Latest News & More!

Two exciting KOs in main events in both Germany and Brooklyn, NY headline our latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back with their insight and analysis.First, they recap Saturday's Fresh Productions PPV main event from Brooklyn, New YorkDalton Smith TKO5 Subriel Matias, wins WBC junior welterweight title in a wild, short fight. The boys go over the stoppage and what does it mean short term for Smith? Then, a recap of Saturday's Queensberry DAZN fights from Oberhausen, GermanyAgit Kabayel stops Damian Knyba in three rounds for Kabayel's WBC interim heavyweight title. Tremendous atmosphere and Kabayel delivers another KO. Now what for him? Also, earlier on the card Jadier Herrera TKO8 Ricardo Nunez, and wins the vacant WBC interim lightweight title. Big things ahead for the Cuban, Herrera? Also, the guys have a brief recap of Tapia Promotions event on Friday night in Albuquerque, NMTwo of the late Hall of Fame three-division champion Johnny Tapia's sons won their professional debuts, junior middleweight Johnny Tapia Jr. and super middleweight Nicco Tapia. Dan has more. Then, some newsThe Vergil Ortiz-Jaron Ennis disastrous negotiations are more sorted than a week of "Days of Our Lives." Dan goes over the obstacles with $$ for Oscar De La Hoya and his fighter Ortiz at the crux of it.Next, Dana White in an interview with Stephen A. Smith announced the Zuffa Boxing main event for its first Paramount+ card on January 23. It's an underwhelming junior middleweight Callum Walsh vs. former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo  Per Dan;s reporting, unified cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will forgo a tune-up fight and go straight to the massive financial bout May 2nd with David Benavidez  And, the IBF denies Lewis Crocker's request for an optional welterweight title fight, and they will order a Liam Paro mandatory fight instead. Dan explains.It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

Two exciting KOs in main events in both Germany and Brooklyn, NY headline our latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back with their insight and analysis.First, they recap Saturday's Fresh Productions PPV main event from Brooklyn, New YorkDalton Smith TKO5 Subriel Matias, wins WBC junior welterweight title in a wild, short fight. The boys go over the stoppage and what does it mean short term for Smith? Then, a recap of Saturday's Queensberry DAZN fights from Oberhausen, GermanyAgit Kabayel stops Damian Knyba in three rounds for Kabayel's WBC interim heavyweight title. Tremendous atmosphere and Kabayel delivers another KO. Now what for him? Also, earlier on the card Jadier Herrera TKO8 Ricardo Nunez, and wins the vacant WBC interim lightweight title. Big things ahead for the Cuban, Herrera? Also, the guys have a brief recap of Tapia Promotions event on Friday night in Albuquerque, NMTwo of the late Hall of Fame three-division champion Johnny Tapia's sons won their professional debuts, junior middleweight Johnny Tapia Jr. and super middleweight Nicco Tapia. Dan has more. Then, some newsThe Vergil Ortiz-Jaron Ennis disastrous negotiations are more sorted than a week of "Days of Our Lives." Dan goes over the obstacles with $$ for Oscar De La Hoya and his fighter Ortiz at the crux of it.Next, Dana White in an interview with Stephen A. Smith announced the Zuffa Boxing main event for its first Paramount+ card on January 23. It's an underwhelming junior middleweight Callum Walsh vs. former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo  Per Dan;s reporting, unified cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will forgo a tune-up fight and go straight to the massive financial bout May 2nd with David Benavidez  And, the IBF denies Lewis Crocker's request for an optional welterweight title fight, and they will order a Liam Paro mandatory fight instead. Dan explains.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 our first preview show of 2026 with a heavyweight main event in Germany and a world junior welterweight title fight in Brooklyn, NY to discuss on the "BFW Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and NewsletterThey begin with a Preview of the Saturday Queensberry/DAZN card from Oberhausen, GermanyAgit Kabayel vs. Damian Knyba, 12 rounds, for Kabayel's WBC interim heavyweight title. Kabayel is little known in the U.S. but can position himself for a serious payday and possible world title fight with a win. Plus, Jadier Herrera vs. Ricardo Nunez, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC interim lightweight title. Dan hss more on Herrera's potential.Then, they talk Saturday's Fresh Productions PPV card from Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY (yes we've not heard of them either)Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith, 12 rounds, for Matias' WBC junior welterweight title. Will the hard hitting Matias get the best of the unbeaten Brit? And, some newsDan is reporting on lineal/unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol's and his plans to return in April following back surgery in August. Plus, whom is he looking at fighting?Next WBA junior lightweight titlist James "Jazza" Dickens, whose defense on the Night of the Samurai card last month was canceled last minute due to opponent injury, will make his first defense against former IBF titlist Anthony Cacace on March 14 (DAZN). This fight is on St. Patrick's Day weekend — at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, Queensberry Promotions announced the show. Also, Canelo Alvarez and now, Jaime Munguia have both turned positions to fight Osleys Iglesias for the vacant IBF super middleweight title. Who will Iglesias end up fightiing?And, Tuesday's IBF final heavyweight eliminator purse bid for the fight between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. postponed because they are close to a deal for the fight to likely land on a February or March on a PBC PPV card. Dan has more.It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

We're back with our first preview show of 2026 with a heavyweight main event in Germany and a world junior welterweight title fight in Brooklyn, NY to discuss on the "BFW Preview Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and NewsletterThey begin with a Preview of the Saturday Queensberry/DAZN card from Oberhausen, GermanyAgit Kabayel vs. Damian Knyba, 12 rounds, for Kabayel's WBC interim heavyweight title. Kabayel is little known in the U.S. but can position himself for a serious payday and possible world title fight with a win. Plus, Jadier Herrera vs. Ricardo Nunez, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC interim lightweight title. Dan hss more on Herrera's potential.Then, they talk Saturday's Fresh Productions PPV card from Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY (yes we've not heard of them either)Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith, 12 rounds, for Matias' WBC junior welterweight title. Will the hard hitting Matias get the best of the unbeaten Brit? And, some newsDan is reporting on lineal/unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol's and his plans to return in April following back surgery in August. Plus, whom is he looking at fighting?Next WBA junior lightweight titlist James "Jazza" Dickens, whose defense on the Night of the Samurai card last month was canceled last minute due to opponent injury, will make his first defense against former IBF titlist Anthony Cacace on March 14 (DAZN). This fight is on St. Patrick's Day weekend — at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, Queensberry Promotions announced the show. Also, Canelo Alvarez and now, Jaime Munguia have both turned positions to fight Osleys Iglesias for the vacant IBF super middleweight title. Who will Iglesias end up fightiing?And, Tuesday's IBF final heavyweight eliminator purse bid for the fight between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. postponed because they are close to a deal for the fight to likely land on a February or March on a PBC PPV card. Dan has more.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 brand new year in 2026 and for the first time, our guys are back to recap the weekend action in Puerto Rico and have some fight nrews too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to give their takes.First a recap of the Saturday MVP DAZN bouts in San Juan, Puerto RicoFeatherweight Amanda Serrano W10 Reina Tellez, retains WBO/WBA women's title. What's next for one of the women's all time greats? Plus, lightweight Stephanie Han scores tech dec after 7 rounds over Holly Holm and retains WBA women's title. Could she be a Serrano opponent? And, flyweight Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez surprises with a 12 round win over Yankiel Rivera and wins vacant WBA interim title.Also, a recap of the December 31st Shisei Promotions main event in TokyoKazuto Ioka, who was making his bantamweight debut, put himself in position to win a world title in a fifth weight division when he knocked out Maikel Ordosgoitti in the fourth round of a WBA title eliminator. Dan loves him some Japanese boxing and has more!NewsAnthony Joshua injured in a car accident in Nigeria on Monday that killed two of his close friends and members of his training team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua released from the hospital on Wednesday. Boxing is a distant priority, but does this mean Joshua might not be in the ring for a longer amount of time?Related- To zero surprise, Tyson Fury posted on Instagram that he is coming out of the retirement. ABSOLUTE SHOCKER!  Dand and TJ discuss.Next, Matchroom announced it has signed WBO bantamweight titlist Christian Medina and that he will make his first defense at home in Guadalajara on Feb. 6 (DAZN) vs. countryman Adrian Curiel, 26, a former IBF junior flyweight titlist.  Due to illness, welterweight contender Paddy Donovan has withdrawn from an IBF final eliminator against former junior welterweight titlist Liam Paro scheduled for Jan. 16. No Limit said Paro would remain on the card if a suitable replacement can be found. The winner would have become the mandatory challenger for IBF titlist Lewis Crocker.  Jake Paul is dropped from new WBA cruiserweight rankings.... that he should have never been ranked in. We have more. Also, Terence Crawford officially vacated the WBA super middleweight title, the last one, and WBA has elevated interim titlist Armando Resendiz.  In the IBF it invited No. 1 contender Osleys Iglesias and former champion Canelo Alvarez to fight for the vacant title. Canelo not taking it as he is still sidelined after elbow surgery. Next up to accept the position will be Jamie Mungia. Stay tuned.It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

It's a brand new year in 2026 and for the first time, our guys are back to recap the weekend action in Puerto Rico and have some fight nrews too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to give their takes.First a recap of the Saturday MVP DAZN bouts in San Juan, Puerto RicoFeatherweight Amanda Serrano W10 Reina Tellez, retains WBO/WBA women's title. What's next for one of the women's all time greats? Plus, lightweight Stephanie Han scores tech dec after 7 rounds over Holly Holm and retains WBA women's title. Could she be a Serrano opponent? And, flyweight Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez surprises with a 12 round win over Yankiel Rivera and wins vacant WBA interim title.Also, a recap of the December 31st Shisei Promotions main event in TokyoKazuto Ioka, who was making his bantamweight debut, put himself in position to win a world title in a fifth weight division when he knocked out Maikel Ordosgoitti in the fourth round of a WBA title eliminator. Dan loves him some Japanese boxing and has more!NewsAnthony Joshua injured in a car accident in Nigeria on Monday that killed two of his close friends and members of his training team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua released from the hospital on Wednesday. Boxing is a distant priority, but does this mean Joshua might not be in the ring for a longer amount of time?Related- To zero surprise, Tyson Fury posted on Instagram that he is coming out of the retirement. ABSOLUTE SHOCKER!  Dand and TJ discuss.Next, Matchroom announced it has signed WBO bantamweight titlist Christian Medina and that he will make his first defense at home in Guadalajara on Feb. 6 (DAZN) vs. countryman Adrian Curiel, 26, a former IBF junior flyweight titlist.  Due to illness, welterweight contender Paddy Donovan has withdrawn from an IBF final eliminator against former junior welterweight titlist Liam Paro scheduled for Jan. 16. No Limit said Paro would remain on the card if a suitable replacement can be found. The winner would have become the mandatory challenger for IBF titlist Lewis Crocker.  Jake Paul is dropped from new WBA cruiserweight rankings.... that he should have never been ranked in. We have more. Also, Terence Crawford officially vacated the WBA super middleweight title, the last one, and WBA has elevated interim titlist Armando Resendiz.  In the IBF it invited No. 1 contender Osleys Iglesias and former champion Canelo Alvarez to fight for the vacant title. Canelo not taking it as he is still sidelined after elbow surgery. Next up to accept the position will be Jamie Mungia. Stay tuned.It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

We have come to the end of the calendar year of 2025 and it's time to crank up a debate about which boxer deserves "Figther of the Year" status for work done this year? We're ready to debate on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to go over it?In a debate of future hall of famers Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, which resume was better in 2025? And, how much consideration should someone like Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez or Dmitry Bivol be given in the conversation, too?Hear the guys go over it and make their selections for Fighter of the Year on this pod! And, make sure that you follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We have come to the end of the calendar year of 2025 and it's time to crank up a debate about which boxer deserves "Figther of the Year" status for work done this year? We're ready to debate on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to go over it?In a debate of future hall of famers Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, which resume was better in 2025? And, how much consideration should someone like Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez or Dmitry Bivol be given in the conversation, too?Hear the guys go over it and make their selections for Fighter of the Year on this pod! And, make sure that you follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's the final weekend of 2025 and we're back to recap the prominent world title card of the weekend in Saudi Arabia and give you some other worldwide fight recaps and news too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter have their takes.First a recap of Saturday's Ring V: "Night of the Samurai" DAZN PPV card from Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaJunior featherweight Naoya Inoue scores a one sided unanimous decision over Alan David Picasso, retains undisputed title. Should Inoue have gone harder for the KO? And now....He'll fight new junior featherweight Junto Nakatani, who had a tough battle and won close with Sebastian Hernandez in the co-feature. The guys have more on Nakatani struggling at the higher weight and what does it mean for the Inoue battle in the first part of 2026?Also, on the card- lightweight Eridson Garcia won a 10 round split decision over Taiga Imanaga, plus, junior featherweight Reito Tsutsumi TKO4 Leobardo Quintana.The IBF junior bantamweight title fight with champ Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji was canceled after the ceremonial weigh-in, Garcia was ill and hospitalized. Dan has the latest. Also, they recap Saturday's Kameda Promotions main event in Tokoname, JapanFlyweight Masamichi Yabuki TKO12 Felix Alvarado, retains IBF title. Impressive win for Yabuki. And, a brief recap from WednesdayHeavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi, 52, the former top contender, who was in the second fight of his return after 26 years (most spent in prison) suffered his first defeat, a 12-round decision to Nigerian countryman Kabiru Towolawi in Lagos, Nigeria. And, some newsTurki Alashikh announces undercard for Ring VI Teofimo-Shakur event on Jan. 31 at MSGKeyshawn Davis vs. Jamaine Ortiz, 12 rounds, junior welterweightsBruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Carlos Castro, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC featherweight titleCarlos Adames vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams, 12 rounds, for Adames' WBC middleweight titleJarrell Miller vs. Kingsley Ibeh, 10 rounds, heavyweightsZiyad Almayouf vs. Kevin Castillo, 8 rounds, welterweightsNext, Dan is reporting on some fighters signed by Zuffa Boxing for its new league that begins in January:Former WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose ValenzuelaFormer WBA “regular” welterweight titlist Radzhab Butaev, junior lightweight Justin Viloria and lightweight Eridson GarciaAnd, finally Matchroom Boxing's announcement of some more undercard bouts on the Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2 show Feb. 21 in Nottingham, EnglandSandy Ryan vs. Karla Zamora, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women's junior welterweight titleDavid Allen vs. TBA, 10 rounds, heavyweightsTiah Mai Ayton vs. TBA, 8 rounds, female bantamweightsJunaid Bostan vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweightsWe have it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure for all the great content on this feed to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's the final weekend of 2025 and we're back to recap the prominent world title card of the weekend in Saudi Arabia and give you some other worldwide fight recaps and news too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter have their takes.First a recap of Saturday's Ring V: "Night of the Samurai" DAZN PPV card from Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaJunior featherweight Naoya Inoue scores a one sided unanimous decision over Alan David Picasso, retains undisputed title. Should Inoue have gone harder for the KO? And now....He'll fight new junior featherweight Junto Nakatani, who had a tough battle and won close with Sebastian Hernandez in the co-feature. The guys have more on Nakatani struggling at the higher weight and what does it mean for the Inoue battle in the first part of 2026?Also, on the card- lightweight Eridson Garcia won a 10 round split decision over Taiga Imanaga, plus, junior featherweight Reito Tsutsumi TKO4 Leobardo Quintana.The IBF junior bantamweight title fight with champ Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji was canceled after the ceremonial weigh-in, Garcia was ill and hospitalized. Dan has the latest. Also, they recap Saturday's Kameda Promotions main event in Tokoname, JapanFlyweight Masamichi Yabuki TKO12 Felix Alvarado, retains IBF title. Impressive win for Yabuki. And, a brief recap from WednesdayHeavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi, 52, the former top contender, who was in the second fight of his return after 26 years (most spent in prison) suffered his first defeat, a 12-round decision to Nigerian countryman Kabiru Towolawi in Lagos, Nigeria. And, some newsTurki Alashikh announces undercard for Ring VI Teofimo-Shakur event on Jan. 31 at MSGKeyshawn Davis vs. Jamaine Ortiz, 12 rounds, junior welterweightsBruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Carlos Castro, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC featherweight titleCarlos Adames vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams, 12 rounds, for Adames' WBC middleweight titleJarrell Miller vs. Kingsley Ibeh, 10 rounds, heavyweightsZiyad Almayouf vs. Kevin Castillo, 8 rounds, welterweightsNext, Dan is reporting on some fighters signed by Zuffa Boxing for its new league that begins in January:Former WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose ValenzuelaFormer WBA “regular” welterweight titlist Radzhab Butaev, junior lightweight Justin Viloria and lightweight Eridson GarciaAnd, finally Matchroom Boxing's announcement of some more undercard bouts on the Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2 show Feb. 21 in Nottingham, EnglandSandy Ryan vs. Karla Zamora, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women's junior welterweight titleDavid Allen vs. TBA, 10 rounds, heavyweightsTiah Mai Ayton vs. TBA, 8 rounds, female bantamweightsJunaid Bostan vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweightsWe have it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure for all the great content on this feed to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We are back off the Christmas holiday with a new show as the Riyadh Season card "Ring V- Night of the Samurai" takes place Saturday in Saudi Arabia. We've got the preview and fight news on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast!Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael for the full breakdown.The begin with the Preview of the  Night of the Samurai” card on Saturday (DAZN PPV, 4 a.m. ET) in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaNaoya "the Monster" Inoue vs. Alan David Picasso, 12 rounds, for Inoue's undisputed junior featherweight titles. It's the fourth time in the ring this year for Inoue and will he deliver the big KO to puncuate his 2025?In the co-feature, Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, 12 rounds, junior featherweight battle. Is Nakatani next for the Monster? And, also, Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji, 12 rounds, for Garcia's IBF junior bantamweight titleThen, some fight newsNetflix announced the numbers for Jake-Joshua event, including “an estimated average minute audience of 33 million” globally from opening to closing bell. That's another huge number, but what about it relative to Canelo-Crawford, much less, Paul-Tyson in 2024 both on Netflix also?Then, In wake of Terence Crawford's retirement and vacating the WBO super middleweight title, the WBO has ordered Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz, the leading available contenders, to meet for the vacant title  Also, Crawford has now formally vacated the IBF title, per IBF announcement. WBA vacating at 168 lb. is imminent  Matchroom Boxing has announced the undercard for its January 24 DAZN card in Las Vegas topped by IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla's mandatory defense against Andy Cruz. Co-feature will be the return of former WBA junior middleweight titlist Israil Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar in a 10-round middleweight bout. Dan has more.Per Dan's reporting, IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo's second defense against South Africa's Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in the ProBox TV headliner is postponed. Is it injury or scheduling?Also, per Dan's reporting, the overdue fight between WBA junior welterweight titlist Gary Antuanne Russell and mandatory challenger and fellow southpaw Andy Hiraoka is being lined up for the pay-per-view undercard of WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios' defense against Ryan Garcia on Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.We have it all for you headed into the final weekend of the year on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We are back off the Christmas holiday with a new show as the Riyadh Season card "Ring V- Night of the Samurai" takes place Saturday in Saudi Arabia. We've got the preview and fight news on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast!Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael for the full breakdown.The begin with the Preview of the  Night of the Samurai” card on Saturday (DAZN PPV, 4 a.m. ET) in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaNaoya "the Monster" Inoue vs. Alan David Picasso, 12 rounds, for Inoue's undisputed junior featherweight titles. It's the fourth time in the ring this year for Inoue and will he deliver the big KO to puncuate his 2025?In the co-feature, Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, 12 rounds, junior featherweight battle. Is Nakatani next for the Monster? And, also, Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji, 12 rounds, for Garcia's IBF junior bantamweight titleThen, some fight newsNetflix announced the numbers for Jake-Joshua event, including “an estimated average minute audience of 33 million” globally from opening to closing bell. That's another huge number, but what about it relative to Canelo-Crawford, much less, Paul-Tyson in 2024 both on Netflix also?Then, In wake of Terence Crawford's retirement and vacating the WBO super middleweight title, the WBO has ordered Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz, the leading available contenders, to meet for the vacant title  Also, Crawford has now formally vacated the IBF title, per IBF announcement. WBA vacating at 168 lb. is imminent  Matchroom Boxing has announced the undercard for its January 24 DAZN card in Las Vegas topped by IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla's mandatory defense against Andy Cruz. Co-feature will be the return of former WBA junior middleweight titlist Israil Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar in a 10-round middleweight bout. Dan has more.Per Dan's reporting, IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo's second defense against South Africa's Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in the ProBox TV headliner is postponed. Is it injury or scheduling?Also, per Dan's reporting, the overdue fight between WBA junior welterweight titlist Gary Antuanne Russell and mandatory challenger and fellow southpaw Andy Hiraoka is being lined up for the pay-per-view undercard of WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios' defense against Ryan Garcia on Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.We have it all for you headed into the final weekend of the year on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

Coming up Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, it's the "Night of the Samurai" card from Riyadh season feturing a series of fights with Japanese stars and the card is headlined by undisputed junior featherweight champ Naoya "The Monster" Inoue back defending his titles in the main event.However, the second biggest name is former three division world champ himself, Junto Nakatani, Inoue's new potential rival, fighting a non-title, tune up at 122 lb. And, the beileft is that Nakatani will be meeting Inoue in the Tokyo Dome coming in a massive all Japan showdown in 2026.So, with all that in mind, our insider Dan Rafael went to work and scored a one on one conversation with Nakatani prior to him leaving for Saudi Arabia, to talk moving up in weight and possibly fighting Inoue, etc.?Hear the conversation now, as Dan talks to Nakatani through the interpreter on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

Coming up Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, it's the "Night of the Samurai" card from Riyadh season feturing a series of fights with Japanese stars and the card is headlined by undisputed junior featherweight champ Naoya "The Monster" Inoue back defending his titles in the main event.However, the second biggest name is former three division world champ himself, Junto Nakatani, Inoue's new potential rival, fighting a non-title, tune up at 122 lb. And, the beileft is that Nakatani will be meeting Inoue in the Tokyo Dome coming in a massive all Japan showdown in 2026.So, with all that in mind, our insider Dan Rafael went to work and scored a one on one conversation with Nakatani prior to him leaving for Saudi Arabia, to talk moving up in weight and possibly fighting Inoue, etc.?Hear the conversation now, as Dan talks to Nakatani through the interpreter on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

It was KO return for former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, as he did as expected and kayoed Jake Paul in the Miami main event Friday night. And, we are ready to discuss that fight, the entire card and be joined by a special guest, too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter return with their takes.The recap is from our early Saturday morning Youtube coverage on our Big Fight Weekend page and you'll hear the discussion of Jake Paul seemingly running throughout the first four rounds and eventually, Joshua got to him with big shots, knockdowns and the knockout. The guys also talk whether Joshua should take another fight before fighting Tyson Fury in 2026? And, they recap the undercard including the Alycia Baumgardner and Caroline Dubois victories. Then, hear Dan with former bantamweight champ Junto Nakatani, as he moves up to 122 lb. for a non-title, tune up with Sebastian Hernandez Saturday night on the "Night of the Samuri Card" from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Naoya "the Monster' Inoue defends the four 122 lb. titles in the main event and Nakatani may be his next opponent in a Japanese mega fight. It's all covered through an interpreter on the pod!It's the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaer/Spotify, etc.

It was KO return for former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, as he did as expected and kayoed Jake Paul in the Miami main event Friday night. And, we are ready to discuss that fight, the entire card and be joined by a special guest, too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter return with their takes.The recap is from our early Saturday morning Youtube coverage on our Big Fight Weekend page and you'll hear the discussion of Jake Paul seemingly running throughout the first four rounds and eventually, Joshua got to him with big shots, knockdowns and the knockout. The guys also talk whether Joshua should take another fight before fighting Tyson Fury in 2026? And, they recap the undercard including the Alycia Baumgardner and Caroline Dubois victories. Then, hear Dan with former bantamweight champ Junto Nakatani, as he moves up to 122 lb. for a non-title, tune up with Sebastian Hernandez Saturday night on the "Night of the Samuri Card" from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Naoya "the Monster' Inoue defends the four 122 lb. titles in the main event and Nakatani may be his next opponent in a Japanese mega fight. It's all covered through an interpreter on the pod!It's the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaer/Spotify, etc.

We are ready for the weekend and a world title fight in L.A. + fight news all over the globe 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 all.They preview Saturday's Integrated Sports PPV, PPV.COM main event in Los AngelesBadou Jack vs. Noel Mikaelian, rematch, for Jack's WBC cruiserweight title. Will we get an exciting battle in this one and what's the future at cruiserweight?Next, a preview Saturday's Matchroom Boxing DAZN card in Stockton, Calif.Diego Pacheco vs. Kevin Lele Sadjo, 12 rounds, super middleweights. A good challenge for the young Pachecho?? Plus,Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Joe Cordina, 12 rounds, WBO lightweight eliminatorSkye Nicolson vs. Yuliahn Luna, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women's interim junior featherweight title Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Antonio Moran, 10 rounds, junior welterweights  Next, some newsTeofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson kickoff press conference for their Jan. 31 fight was Wednesday at Madison Square GardenCruiserweight Huseyin Cinkara was released from the hospital on Tuesday after being admitted with various injuries following a titanic eighth-round knockout loss in a mandatory fight against lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on Saturday in Broadbeach, Australia.TKO announced on an earnings call this week that the first Zuffa Boxing card of the Paramount+ deal will be on Jan. 23 No. 1 women's pound-for-pound and undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields announced her next defense will be a rematch with former undisputed super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Feb. 22 (DAZN) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. They fought each other in their 2016 pro debut with Shields winning a four-round decision.  WBC lightweight titlist Caroline Dubois is latest to leave Boxxer after the end of its Sky Sports deal. She has signed with MVP and will defend against Camila Panatta on the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua card Dec. 19 in Miami.  And, WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios announced that he has split from trainer Bob Santos and will be trained by Joe Goossen for the Feb. 21 fight vs. Ryan Garcia.Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Saturday night in Los Angeles, WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack returns in an immediate rematch of a close decision over former titlist Noel Mikaelian. The bout is the headliner of an Inegrated Sports PPV card in Los Angeles. But, before the action heats back up, Jack is one on one with our insider Dan Rafael.What does he think of having to battle Mikaelian again? Also, Jack is in position for a possible unification battle with either IBF champ Jai Opetaia or down the road maybe the winner of the upcoming "Zurdo Ramirez" vs. David Benavidez WBA/WBO unified fight set for May.It's all part of the discussion on the "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed found on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

A very busy but P.R. damaged PPV took place in San Antonio, TX, and we're ready to recap it all, plus, hear from a cruiserweight world champ and more on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to go over it all.They have a full recap of the "PBC on Prime Video" PPV card on Saturday Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz draw with Lamont Roach and keeps WBC interim 140 lb. title. Was this a just draw or not? Will they meet again?O'Shaquie Foster dominates Stephen Fulton and wins vacant WBC interim 135 lb. title. Yes, you read right. The WBC now just makes up interim title fights the day before fight cards. We explain the comedy and debate. Foster also has options in multiple weight divisions, now too.Then, a dreadful Erislandy Lara decision over late replacement Johan Gonzalez and keeps WBA 160 lb. A boring defense.And, Jesus Ramos decisions Shane Mosley Jr., in an action packed bout and wiins the vacant WBC interim 160 lb title.Also, on the free PrelimsA HUGE KO! Frank Martin in the 4th over Rances Barthelemy, junior welterweightsIsaac Lucero decisions Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in a good fight.And, junior middleweights Luis Nunez looks good against Hector Sosa in a featherweight decision. Next, a recap of Saturday's Tasman Fighters main event in Broadbeach, AustraliaHUUUUUUUUGE KO Jai Opetaia with one punch in the eigth over Huseyin Cinkara. Opetaia retains lineal/IBF cruiserweight title and has a big future coming. Next an interview with WBC Cruiserweight Champ BADOU JACK He defends vs. former titlist Noel Mikaelian on Saturday in Los Angeles on PPV in a rematch of their close fight in May on the Canelo-Scull card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.And, some newsTyson Fury social media post indicates he is headed out of retirement –SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, Dan approved all those !'sA deal has been made for vacant WBO interim light heavyweight title bout between Callum Smith and David Morrell, and the purse bid that was due to take place this past Friday was canceled  And, finally, MVP added junior lightweight Jahmal Harvey, a 2024 U.S. Olympian, to the main card of Paul-Joshua on January 19th.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 an intriguing PPV card in San Antonio, TX and have some interesting fight news and Boxing Hall of Fame new members, 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 and they're ready to go over it all.They begin with the preview of Saturday's PBC on Prime Video PPV in San AntonioIsaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr.,  for Cruz's WBC interim junior welterweight title. In the co-featured O'Shaquie Foster vs. Stephen Fulton, for Foster's WBC junior lightweight title.Also, Erislandy Lara vs. Johan Gonzalez, for Lara's WBA middleweight title, as Janibek is out of the fight due to a positive PED test. And, Jesus Ramos vs. Shane Mosley Jr., for the vacant WBC interim middleweight title.Also, the free prelims on Prime videoFrank Martin vs. Rances Barthelemy, 10 rounds, junior welterweightsIsaac Lucero vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr., 10 rounds, junior middleweightsLuis Nunez vs. Hector Sosa, 10 rounds, featherweights Then, they preview Tasman Fighters main event on Saturday in Broadbeach, Australia (UFC Fight Pass in the US with card start at 2 a.m. ET)Jai Opetaia vs. Huseyin Cinkara, 12 rounds, for Opetaia's lineal/IBF cruiserweight title. He's a tremendous punching champ looking for another big KO. Then some News: Thammanoon Niyomtrong wins in 12 rounds over Junior Zarate to win the vacant WBC junior flyweight title on Thursday at the Imperial Queens Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. This was part of the WBC convention.Also, from the convention the WBC strips Terence Crawford of super middleweight title and Crawford goes off in IG video! The boys discuss both sides of this.More stuff from the convention on mandatories/eliminators orders – Oleksandr Usyk wants to fight Deontay Wilder, and more, Conor Benn made welter mandatory by the organization. What. Are. We. Doing. Here?Next, the International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2026 announced, including GGG, Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn. Dan has thoughtsTeofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson official for Jan. 31 in NY, with a presser coming on Wednesday.And, heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. notified the IBF in writing that he has accepted a position in a final title eliminator against Frank Sanchez to produce the organization's mandatory challenger.It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!!

Coming up on Saturday night in the "Lonestar State" WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton is moving up to challenge O'Shaquie Foster for his WBC junior lightweight title on the "PBC on Prime Video" undercard of Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach main event.But, before fight week cranks up, you can hear from the Philly star Fulton one on one with our insider Dan Rafael on this special conversation.Fulton is moving up to 130 lb. to battle the Texan Foster in a compelling U.S. champ vs. U.S. champ matchup. How does he feel about the extra weight and would he remain at junior lightweight with the win? Also, Fulton famously was kayoed by one of the best fighters in the sport Naoya Inoue, though he deserves credit for having fought "The Monster" in Japan. He relays what that experience against a great fighter meant to helping him the rest of his career.It's all part of this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe for all of the content on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc. 

Coming up on Saturday night in San Antonio, TX, Lamont Roach will battle interim junior welterweight titlist Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz in the "PBC on Prime Video" PPV main event.On this edition of the podcast hear Roach with our insider Dan Rafael discussing moving up to 140 lb. for a significant showdown with Cruz. Plus, will Roach eventually get the chance to rematch Gervonta "Tank" Davis, whom he fought to a controversial draw with for Davis' WBA lightweight title earlier this year?Will the D.C. native Roach, who hasn't lost a fight in six years, score big this weekend and set himself up for a more lucrative battle in the first part of 2026?We cover it all on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" conversation and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

Some fight action in England and California and a world champ readying to move up and fight for antother world title in another weight division joins us on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are backFirst a recap of the Saturday Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event at Birmingham, EnglandLight heavyweight Ben Whittaker massive KO1 Benjamin Gavazi. Was this really even a test? What's next for the flamboyant Whittaker? Next we recap Saturday's Boxxer/BBC main event at Derby, England Heavyweight Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva upsets Frazer Clarke by decision and wins vacant British title. Dan has more.  Plus, a quick recap from the Saturday Manny Pacquiao Promotions ESPN Knock Out bout at Temecula, Calif.Lightweight Manny Pacquiao Jr. Draw  over four rounds with Brendan Lally (both making pro debuts). Not good for Pac-man son's debut.Then, WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton is on the Pod as he is moving up to challenge O'Shaquie Foster for his WBC junior lightweight title this Saturday in San Antonio on the PBC on Prime Video PPV undercard of Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr.Foster-Fulton was originally scheduled on the Octover 25th FUNDORA-THURMAN undercard, but that main event was postponed. So now it's on this show inTexas. And, we have this conversation from earlier.   Some fight news:An update on Teofimo Lopez slated to meet Shakur Stevenson. Dan has the latest on when and where?Zurdo Ramirez's decision to face David Benavidez in May angers Cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia and his team.And, four division titleholder Kazuto Ioka, who announced in late October that he would move up to bantamweight in pursuit of a title in fifth weight class, will make his debut in at 118 pounds in a WBA title eliminator Maikel Ordosgoitti on Dec. 31 in Tokyo. Dan has the latest.It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!