Big Dog Lukie Boxing Podcast

We are joined by Gayle Falkenthal of NYFights.com to preview the upcoming week of fights.

Saturday, 5 PM PST, Prime Video PPV (prelims, 3:00 PM PST)

David Benavidez vs. David Morrell

A fun must-see grudge match between two feared punchers at super middleweight who have shown vulnerabilities at their new weight class –– light heavyweight. Benavidez is the man who wants to fight Canelo Alvarez, but can’t seem to get the fight. Morrell is the man looking for the big fight. Both concussive punchers, and both seen as

Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton Jr.

The fight is a rematch. Since the first fight, Fulton lost to Inoue and has only fought once since that fight, a split-decision win over Carlos Castro, which was debatable. Figueroa has also fought once-a-year in the past few years, but appears to be trending up.

Fulton won the first fight, though I scored it for Figueroa. Interesting to see if Fulton can get back to his old ways or if he is stuck in his new ways.

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Angel Fierro

Cruz is an exciting come-forward Mexican puncher. Fierro scored a big win over Alberto Machado and did nothing with it. Fierro is vulnerable, but capable. This one might overachieve by most people’s standards.

Jesus Ramos Jr. vs. Jeison Rosario

Ramos Jr probably should have beaten Erickson Lubin, but the judges scored it another way. Rosario probably should have beaten Jarrett Hurd, but it was ruled a draw. Ramos might be one of the five best 154lbs fighters and Rosario is looking to stay relevant. A good opener, but also one that should show why Ramos is a top contender.

Fights to watch on prelims or before: Curmel Moton will fight off-TV and he seems like a star. middleweight Yoenli Hernandez is on the Prime Video prelims and a featherweight title eliminator between Mirco Cuello-Christian Olivo Barreda. Daniel Blancas faces Juan Barajas who is tough as nails.

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Saturday on Peacock app (Start time should be close to 11am PST)

Adam Azim vs. Sergey Lipinets

A fight to see if Azim is a world-class fighter. Lipinets might be older, but he is still tough.

Friday on DAZN (11 am PST)

George Liddard vs. Derrick Osaze

The middleweight Liddard is really good.

Junaid Bostan vs. Bilal Fawaz

Junior middleweight Bostan is raw, but has a lot of personality –– every fight could be interesting with him.

Jimmy Sains

Middleweight Sains is vulnerable and probably not world-level, but very fun if matched right.

Sunday on DAZN (5 PM PST)

Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins

Shields career will be remembered fondly and hopefully she gets her credit. To me, she is the greatest women’s boxer ever. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, undisputed in multiple division and now the best fighter at light heavyweight and heavyweight (though it is a thin talent pool).

Perkins is the best fighter at or around this weight, who had amateur pedigree and is credible. The only downside her age –– Perkins is 42. Still, Shields is a very fun fighter who is fighting right after her film The Fire Inside hit the movie theater.

Fights (and fighters) to watch on the undercard: Heavyweight fight between Brandon Moore-Skylar Lacy, welterweight Joseph Hicks-Keon Papillion, Joshua James Pagan, Samantha Worthington and Caroline Veyre.

Matchroom Results [Las Vegas]

Diego Pacheco UD12 Steven Nelson

Pacheco proves once again, he is a contender at super middleweight defeating the unbeaten Nelson in a 12-round main event on DAZN.

Various results you should know

Andy Cruz UD10 Omar Salcido

Ernesto Mercado TKO4 Jose Pedraza

Leonardo Rubalcava draw Israel Mercado

Nishant Dev TKO1 Alton Wiggins

Harley Mederos KO3 Arturo de Isla

Zaquin Moses TKO1 Mario Garcia [stopped in between rounds]

Matchroom Boxing [UK show]

Dalton Smith TKO1 Walid Ouizza

An impressive performance from Smith, who only fought once in 2024.

Conah Walker KO11 Harry Scarff

The fight of the week, and which probably also be the knockout of the month.

Ellie Scotney UD 10 Mea Motu, retains IBF and WBA women’s junior featherweight titles

ProBox TV on Friday

Najee Lopez TKO8 Lenin Castillo

Lopez is a talented fighter who made the leap over the weekend.

Stanley Wright UD10 Jeremiah Milton

Wright dropped Milton in round one and despite taking the fight on eight-day’s notice outworked Milton.

Golden Boy on Thursday

Eric Priest UD10 Tyler Howard

Priest outboxed Howard as Howard didn’t mount much offense. Priest needs another gear for the next level.

Jordan Panthen UD10 DeAundre Pettus

Grant Flores KO2 David Ramirez

Flores stood out as the most notable performance of the night and one to watch for.

This week Anthony “Stacks” Saldana previews the action for the upcoming week

Jan.23 

How To Watch: Thursday, 3 AM PST on ESPN

Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman

Inoue has all four junior featherweight titles. The fight was supposed to happen on Christmas Eve but was moved back by a cut to Goodman’s eye. 

Goodman is better than people think. Inoue is older than people think, but this shouldn’t be the fight that will see Inoue upset. That fight is coming sooner than people would expect. 

Undercard Notable

Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai

Sasaki is a world-ranked welterweight who will land a big fight in 2025 if he keeps winning.

Other Notable Bouts: 

Eric Priest vs. Tyler Howard

How to Watch: Thursday, 5 PM PST, DAZN & Golden Boy Promotions YouTube Page

Middleweight Priest will fight his best opponent to date Howard, who is trained by Bobby Benton. Howard is a slugger who was outboxed by Troy Isley in the fall. Priest isn’t Isley and this fight will tell us a lot about both these guys. Priest, who has had some hot and cold performances, is the one to watch.

ProBox TV 

How To Watch: Friday, 5 PM PST, ProBox TV app and YouTube

Najee Lopez vs. Lenin Castillo

Lopez, a very good light heavyweight, takes a step up in competition. Castillo is best known for going 12 rounds with Dmitry Bivol.

Ruben Eduardo Aguilar vs. Cristian Baez

Aguilar is a puncher who has only fought in Mexico and Baez is a puncher who tires out in the second half of the fight. This could be a good one. A lot depends on Baez’s training and conditioning. 

Darrelle Valsaint

“Blast” Valsaint is one of the best fighters at ProBox TV. He will be featured on this card.

Jeremiah Milton vs Earl Newman 

Milton was a runner-up at the Olympic trials in 2019. Newman looked good against Jerry Forrest. This is a chance for Milton to show he is more than a good gym fighter, and a last chance for Newman. 

Jordan Roach, Benajmin Johnson

Roach is the younger brother of Lamont Roach Jr. and Benjamin Johnson trains with his father.

These two were the best amateurs for years. Keep an eye on them.

Matchroom Boxing

How To Watch: Saturday, 5 PM PST, on DAZN

Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson

Pacheco in his mid-20s and Nelson, now in his late 30s, will create a battle of unbeaten super middleweights Pacheco is Matchroom Boxing’s best American fighter.

Nelson has never really gotten a chance.  He was with Top Rank, but injuries always got in his way. Nelson has always looked good in the fights he has had and is a long-time friend and training partner of Terence Crawford.

This is a fight to create a title contender in the ever-evolving super middleweight landscape.

Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido

Cruz looks to be a top lightweight of his era. Salcido stopped Chris Colbert in his last fight. Cruz isn’t without flaws, but with only four pro fights, the 2020 Olympian is already in the mix to face the best. Salcido is a good pressure fighter.

Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Jose Pedraza

Mercado’s impressive opponent selection continues as he faces a former two-division titleholder, Pedraza. It is clear Mercado wants to face big name opponents like Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson, ASAP.

Matchroom U.K. card

How To Watch: Saturday, 11 AM PST, DAZN

Dalton Smith vs, Walid Ouizza

Junior welterweight Smith could be a title holder at some point, but this should be more of a tune-up type fight as Smith hasn’t fought since March when he stopped Jose Zepeda.

Ellie Scotney vs. Mea Motu

IBF women’s junior featherweight titleholder Scotney is a top-10 women’s boxer in the world.

She is worth watching.

Omar Trinidad UD10 Mike Plania

Scores: 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91.

Featherweight Trinidad gained valuable veteran experience in his first fight of 2025. Trinidad and his promoter, 360 Promotions seems eager to pursue a title this year.

Mizuki Hiruta TD8 Maribel Ramirez

Scores: 80-71, 80-71, and 79-72.

WBO junior bantamweight titleholder Hiruta got a knockdown and won her U.S. debut. Hiruta will be active in 2025 and could be viewed as the best fighter in the division as long as Gabriela Fundora doesn’t enter the division.

Ali Akhmedov KO2 Malcolm Jones

Akhmedov got to the point after a lousy last fight.

Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco KO3 Lindsey Ellis

Verduzco is a future star. She had her best performance as a pro and should be in the title mix by the end of the year.

Gloria Munguilla UD8 Brook Sibrian

The best fight of the night. Munguilla should vault into title considerations in junior flyweight, Sibrian is still really good despite losing two fights in a row.

Naoya Inoue returns this week, but his opponent Ye Joon Kim is not well known.Welterweight is light right now, and Jin Sasaki might emerge as a “guy”.Breaking news Ryan Garcia-Isaac Cruz, Devin Haney-Jose Ramirez rumored for New York some time this yearErrol Spence-Fundora off, a bunch of names have been thrown outTyson Fury announced his retirement Oscar Duarte vs Regis Prograis on Feb.15Results360 Promotions card.Omar Trinidad defeats Mike Plania, how close is he to a title?WBO Junior bantamweight Mizuki Hiruta gets huge engagement in her US debut. “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco seems to be a star to watch, Gloria Munguilla and Brook Sibrian have a memorable fightUpcoming fights We are starting to get more meaningful bouts Matchroom is holding a fight in Las Vegas Saturday on DAZN. The headlining bout is super middleweight Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson.The co-feature lightweight Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz vs. Omar SalcidoOther bouts to note, Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Jose Pedraza, the debut of Harley Mederos and Nishant Dev, Zaquin Moses and a 50-50 fight betweenLeonardo Rubalcava vs. Israel MercadoA great ProBox TV card on Friday featuring Najee Lopez vs. Lenin Castillo, Darrelle Valsaint, Jeremiah Milton, Jordan Roach and Benjamin Johnson.On Thursday, Golden Boy Promotions will hold an event at the Commerce Casino the notable bouts are: Eric Priest vs. Tyler Howard in the main event, Jordan Panthen vs. DeAundre Pettus and the return of Grant FloresMatchroom will also run a show in the U.K. on Saturday with Dalton Smith facing Walid Ouizza, in the main event.Ellie Scotney vs. Mea Motu is the co-feature. Omar Chavez vs. Misael Rodriguez will air on Saturday on ESPN+ as well.Timestamps 0:00 Naoya Inoue returns to action13:30:00 Jin Sasaki15:30 Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney next fight23:15 Errol Spence-Fundora off26:45 Tyson Fury announced his retirement 28:45 Oscar Duarte vs Regis Prograis on Feb.1532:00 Omar Trinidad defeats Mike Plania, how close is he to a title?36:00 Mizuki Hiruta38:50 “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco, Gloria Munguilla-Brook Sibrian43:00 Diego Pacheco vs Steven Nelson preview50:00 Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido55:00 Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Jose Pedraza, 01:00:00 rest of DAZN undercard thoughts 01:01:47 Eric Priest vs. Tyler Howard01:04:50 Najee Lopez vs. Lenin Castillo01:08:00 Dalton Smith facing Walid Ouizza01:11:00 Omar Chavez vs. Misael Rodriguez will air on Saturday on ESPN+ as well.

Naoya Inoue returns this week, but his opponent Ye Joon Kim is not well known.

Welterweight is light right now, and Jin Sasaki might emerge as a “guy”.

Breaking news

Ryan Garcia-Isaac Cruz, Devin Haney-Jose Ramirez rumored for New York some time this year

Errol Spence-Fundora off, a bunch of names have been thrown out

Tyson Fury announced his retirement

Oscar Duarte vs Regis Prograis on Feb.15

Results

360 Promotions card.

Omar Trinidad defeats Mike Plania, how close is he to a title?

WBO Junior bantamweight Mizuki Hiruta gets huge engagement in her US debut.

“Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco seems to be a star to watch, Gloria Munguilla and Brook Sibrian have a memorable fight

Upcoming fights

We are starting to get more meaningful bouts

Matchroom is holding a fight in Las Vegas Saturday on DAZN. The headlining bout is super middleweight Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson.

The co-feature lightweight Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido

Other bouts to note, Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Jose Pedraza, the debut of  Harley Mederos and Nishant Dev,  Zaquin Moses and a 50-50 fight betweenLeonardo Rubalcava vs. Israel Mercado

A great ProBox TV card on Friday featuring Najee Lopez vs. Lenin Castillo, Darrelle Valsaint, Jeremiah Milton, Jordan Roach and Benjamin Johnson.

On Thursday, Golden Boy Promotions will hold an event at the Commerce Casino the notable bouts are: Eric Priest vs. Tyler Howard in the main event,  Jordan Panthen vs. DeAundre Pettus and the return of Grant Flores

Matchroom will also run a show in the U.K. on Saturday with Dalton Smith facing Walid Ouizza, in the main event.

Ellie Scotney vs. Mea Motu is the co-feature.

Omar Chavez vs. Misael Rodriguez will air on Saturday on ESPN+ as well.

Timestamps

0:00 Naoya Inoue returns to action
13:30:00 Jin Sasaki
15:30 Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney next fight
23:15 Errol Spence-Fundora off
26:45 Tyson Fury announced his retirement 
28:45 Oscar Duarte vs Regis Prograis on Feb.15
32:00 Omar Trinidad defeats Mike Plania, how close is he to a title?
36:00 Mizuki Hiruta
38:50 “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco, Gloria Munguilla-Brook Sibrian
43:00 Diego Pacheco vs Steven Nelson preview
50:00 Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido
55:00 Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Jose Pedraza, 
01:00:00 rest of DAZN undercard thoughts 
01:01:47 Eric Priest vs. Tyler Howard
01:04:50 Najee Lopez vs. Lenin Castillo
01:08:00 Dalton Smith facing Walid Ouizza
01:11:00 Omar Chavez vs. Misael Rodriguez will air on Saturday on ESPN+ as well.

In this episode, Lukie and Anthony Saldana a/k/a Stacks, talk about the two big fights this week.

First, they breakdown Naoya Inoue's return to the ring against late replacement Ye Joon Kim. Kim took the fight when Sam Goodman had to withdraw from the fight...again. The fight is in Japan on Friday (morning on the PST) on ESPN+.

On Saturday, super middleweight Diego Pacheco will face Steven Nelson in a compelling match-up that will be in Las Vegas and broadcast on DAZN.

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In this episode, Lukie and Dakota talk about Jai Opetaia-David Nyika which happened on a Wednesday night and marked the first significant boxing fight of the year. Other notables briefly touched on the card will be:Justis Huni vs. Shaun Potgieter,Teremoana Teremoana vs. Osasu OtoboTaylah Gentzen vs. Shauna BrowneWe will go over the Boxxer show that happened on Peacock.Did Callum Simpson get a premature stoppage of Steed Woodall, and Caroline Dubois and Jessica Camara fight to a technical draw.On to next week’s card put on by 360 Promotions on UFC Fight Pass. Omar Trinidad will face Mike Plania in the main event. Other notable bouts include:Star alert with Mizuki Hiruta in action against Maribel RamirezAli Akhmedov vs. Malcolm JonesRoxy Verduzco vs. Lindsey EllisGloria Munguilla vs. Brook SibrianTimestamps0:00 Jai Opetaia-David Nyika recap 13:05 undercard 26:00 Naoya Inoue-Sam Goodman off32:47 Boxxer card 40:00 360 Promotions 50:00 final thoughts

In this episode, Lukie and Dakota talk about Jai Opetaia-David Nyika which happened on a Wednesday night and marked the first significant boxing fight of the year. 

Other notables briefly touched on the card will be:

Justis Huni vs. Shaun Potgieter,
Teremoana Teremoana vs. Osasu Otobo
Taylah Gentzen vs. Shauna Browne

We will go over the Boxxer show that happened on Peacock.

Did Callum Simpson get a premature stoppage of Steed Woodall, and Caroline Dubois and Jessica Camara fight to a technical draw.


On to next week’s card put on by 360 Promotions on UFC Fight Pass. 

Omar Trinidad will face Mike Plania in the main event. 

Other notable bouts include:

Star alert with Mizuki Hiruta in action against Maribel Ramirez
Ali Akhmedov vs. Malcolm Jones
Roxy Verduzco vs. Lindsey Ellis
Gloria Munguilla vs. Brook Sibrian

Timestamps
0:00 Jai Opetaia-David Nyika recap 
13:05 undercard 
26:00 Naoya Inoue-Sam Goodman off
32:47 Boxxer card 
40:00 360 Promotions 
50:00 final thoughts

In this episode, Lukie and Abraham Gonzalez of FightsATW.com preview the main event of Omar Trinidad-Mike Plania. The fight takes place at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California, and is promoted by 360 Promotions.