Big Dog Lukie Boxing Podcast

In this podcast, I preview the IBF lightweight title fight between champion Raymond Muratalla versus Andy Cruz, while talking about the start of Zuffa Boxing. 

If you enjoy this episode, check out the blog as this is what free subscribers get weekly at: http://lukieboxing.substack.com

In this show, we talk about the odd week Golden Boy Promotions had. 

From losing two fights on Friday night's card to the drama between star-fighter Vergil Ortiz and the promotional entity, what is the future of the company? 

We also talk about the action from last night with Abraham Gonzalez of FightsATW.com, who was there live. Raul Curiel defeated Jordan Panthen in a middleweight catchweight bout, Jorge Chavez outpointed "Gucci" Manny Flores in their rematch, plus observations about the undercard. 

We also talk about Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa and the odd ending to that fight. 

Then, we move to this week. 

It is the start of Zuffa Boxing on Paramount Plus. 

The fight card as of now will feature junior middleweight Callum Walsh vs Carlos Ocampo, Mexican Olympian Misael Rodriguez-Austin Deanda, and Julian Rodriguez-Cain Sandoval. 

We preview the match-ups and we talk about what we expect from the production. 

That same night on DAZN, a very good bout between, Jose Tito Sanchez and Jesus Ramirez Rubio will take place at featherweight. 

Then, the card Lukie can't wait to see: IBF beltholder Raymond Muratalla faces Andy Cruz. It could be for who is the best in the division, given the uncertain framework of the future of the division. 

Other notables include the return of Israil Madrimov at middleweight, Khalil Coe vs Jesse Hart, which is a great bout, and 2024 U.S. Olympic Bronze medalist Omari Jones. Super middleweight Ronny Alvarez is a fighter to monitor on this card as well.



🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4946380479135744

In this episode, we are joined by boxing legend Raul Marquez in the first half to talk #SmithMatias and Zach of ⁨@TUSCPod⁩ to breakdown Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa, and #RochaCuriel2

Dalton Smith shocked the world and knocked out the boogeyman, WBC junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias. 

One crushing right hand sent Matias to the canvas, and changed both fighters' trajectories for their career. 

In this show, we will have multiple guests as Dakota takes some time away from the show, as we unpack the biggest event in boxing this year so far. 

Other topics discussed: Can Emmanuel Rodriguez become a three-time bantamweight world champion after beating Fernando Diaz, coming off a layoff? Bantamweight Jeyvier Cintron knocked out Victor Sandoval in a Round of the Year contender. Also, Junior welterweight Nestor Bravo scored a second-round one-punch highlight reel knockout against Pedro Campa.

Then, we shift to Agit Kabayel. How good is he? My gut says really good. He stopped Damian Knyba on Saturday night. We talk about his recent run, and where he stands in the division, as well as his unique fighting style. Plus, we talk about Jadier Herrera, the new interim WBC lightweight world champion, who stopped Ricardo Nunez. Herrera hit the deck in the fight and came back to win. He could be elevated to full champion if Shakur Stevenson stays at junior welterweight after the Teofimo Lopez fight. 

Then, we preview next week. 

The big fight is on Friday night. Alexis Rocha will rematch Raul Curiel in a DAZN main event. The first bout ended in a draw. Curiel is training with Robert Garcia. Will that be a factor? 

The co-feature will see Manny Flores vs Jorge Chavez in a regional rematch at junior bantamweight, featured on a marquee card. Notables on the undercard are Joel Iriarte, Cayden Griffiths, and John “Scrappy” Ramirez. 

Plus, we also talk about Australian boxing. Nikita Tszyu will face Michael Zerafa in a middleweight fight.

0:00 Raul Marquez on Dalton Smith-Subriel Matias
37:50 Agit Kabayel 
46:22 Jadier Herrera 
52:30 Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa
01:04:48 Undercard bouts to follow
01:08:23 Alexis Rocha-Raul Curiel II
1:15:30 Undercard


🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4946380479135744

Friday night on DAZN, we get a welterweight rematch between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel. 

To read more of my thoughts go to http://lukieboxing.substack.com

In this podcast, Lukie and Dakota talk about Amanda Serrano's win over Reina Tellez. It was her first fight at featherweight for some time. Tellez was a late-sub replacing Erika Curz. 

We talk about Serrano’s career currently and what she has meant to the sport. 

Also, WBA lightweight titleholder Stephanie Han defeated Holly Holm in the co-feature, and Alexis Araiza announced herself on a major stage, upsetting former titleholder Ebanie Bridges. Plus, Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez outclasses Yankiel Rivera. We also touch on some undercard bouts, such as Chris Echevarria vs Gabriel Bernardi and Abner Figueroa vs. Edwin Rodriguez. 

Then, we shift our focus to this week. Subriel Matias will put his 140lbs title on the line against Dalton Smith. How do we see it? Also on the undercard, Emmanuel Rodriguez’s return after losing his title, plus Henri Cedeno versus Alfredo Santiago, and Nestor Bravo vs. Pedro Campa? 

Then, Dakota’s guy, Agit Kabayel, will have a German homecoming against unbeaten Damian Knyba. A notable co-feature will see Jadier Herrera facing Ricardo Nunez for the interim WBC lightweight title. 

Timestamps
0:00 Dakota is taking a month break
2:58 Amanda Serrano-Reina Tellez
14:30 Stephanie Han defeats Holly Holm
22:20 Alexis Araiza defeats Ebanie Bridges
29:00 Jonathan Gonzalez defeats Yankiel Rivera
32:40 Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith preview
41:00 undercard 
44:20 Agit Kabayel-Damian Knyba
57:20 Undercard
01:03:00 Dakota says goodbye


🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4946380479135744

I breakdown the two major fights of the week.

Want more visit the blog at http://lukieboxing.substack.com

In this podcast, I go through a series of awards I give out every month on my newsletter, as I recap the year. 

Lukie talks about the best boxer, best fights, best knockouts, best round, breakout fighters, and much more. 

Fighter of the Month: Elif Nur Turhan

Three upset wins in 2025, but none bigger than her win in December. Turhan knocked Beatriz Ferreira to become the IBF women’s lightweight champion. I am a boxing sicko and I had no clue who Turhan was last December. Now, she is one of the most interesting fighters to me in the sport. A lot of that stems from her performance this past month.

Fight of the Month: Conah Walker-Pat McCormack

Pro boxing and amateur boxing are different. Walker showed that. McCoramck, one of the best amateurs from Team Great Britain, faded under the pressure of Walker, who got the biggest win of his career, and ended the year as a feel-good underdog story. Oh, by the way, it is also a great fight.

Breakout Performance: O’Shaquie Foster

Foster is a long-reigning WBC junior lightweight champion and now he beat a perceived equal in Stephen Fulton Jr, in a manner that would make some question why the odds were so close. Foster is approaching pound-for-pound status.

Honorable Mention: Conah Walker

Knockout of the Month: Marlon Harrington KO1 Bryan Polanco

Harrington’s first round stoppage of Polanco showed not just power, but mental toughness to defeat an unbeaten prospect.

Round of the Month: Tony Harrison-Brian Chaves, Round One

A back-and-forth round that was closer than one might remember. Harrison was buzzed, and then sent Chaves to the canvas at the end of the round. A notable round that will probably be forgotten soon.

Welcome to the 2025 Award Show. 

We start with fight breakdowns. 

In this episode, we break down Saturday morning’s telecast from Saudi Arabia. 

In the main event, Naoya Inoue rather effortlessly defeated David Picasso. It was a showcase of Inoue’s great timing and reflexes, but Picasso proved to be a tough foe, hanging on until the final bell. 

Yet, the story of the night was Junto Nakatani. Nakatani defeated Sebastian Hernandez, but the result left many with more questions than answers. The fight was close, closer than any Nakatani had as a pro prior. Nakatani opted to fight on the inside at times, a difficult move. Some thought Hernandez won, some thought Nakatani won, as did the judges. 
In the end, the mega-fight between Inoue and Nakatani has taken a massive hit. 

Also, Erdison Garcia upset previously unbeaten Taiga Imanaga, and IBF flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki made his second title defense, knocking out Felix Alvarado in 12 rounds. 

Next week, we get one fight card from Puerto Rico. 
Amanda Serrano will face Reina Tellez in a 10-round women’s title fight broadcast on DAZN. 

This will be Serrano’s first fight against an opponent named Katie Taylor since the summer of 2024. Tellez will be taking a major leap up in competition as she faces the toughest opponent of her career, replacing Erika Cruz. 

Other notable bouts on the undercard, Stephanie Han, a women’s lightweight titleholder, will face legend Holly Holm, who will not just be battling Han, but father time itself. Holm, now in her 40s, is a boxing pioneer who became a legend for knocking out Ronda Rousey. She looks to win a title in the twilight of her career. 

Notables on the undercard include Yankiel Rivera, Jan-Paul Rivera, Henry Lebron, and Ebanie Bridges. 

Then, the awards. 

0:00 Naoya Inoue-David Picasso
13:00 Junto Nakatani-Sebastian Hernandez
21:48 Boxer of the Year
30:15 Women’s Boxer of the Year
34:50 Fight of the Year
39:10 Women’s Fight of the Year
40:50 Round of the Year
42:00 Trainer of the Year
44:30 Knockout of the Year
46:30 Prospect of the Year
49:00 Story of the Year
54:00 Vergil Ortiz vs Jaron “Boots” Ennis
58:40 Guys who didn’t fight enough
59:25 Illegal Manuevers 
01:01:28 Guy who came out of nowhere award.
01:04:52 Good job, bub award
01:07:00 The lost all momentum guy 
01:08:30 The 2026 Breakout Fighter will be…
01:10:00 Amanda Serrano-Reina Tellez Preview


🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4946380479135744

My thoughts on the upcoming bout to start 2026. 

Read more at the blog, http://lukieboxing.substack.com