Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

It was an exciting and wild weekend of action as the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout finally happened in North Texas, but the co-feature fight was the bigger action/drama. Meanwhile half way around the world in Saudi Arabia Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez was impressive to become unified at cruiserweight. And, we are ready to recap it all on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are raring to go.

They begin with the obvious problems that Netflix had in their first ever live boxing venture as millions and millions of fans eperienced techinal difficulties streaming the fight. And, what does it mean for the streamer and it's fight future, etc.

Then, the guys get to the long anticipated Paul meeting with "Iron Mike," which went about as expected with Tyson being largley worn out after the second or third round and Paul got the easy decision. Dan has thoughts on the spectacle and on where both guys go from here?

Next, T.J. is FROSTY at what he believes was a robbery decision of Amanda Serrano being denied a rematch win against Katie Taylor for the undisputed women's 140 lb. crowns. And, he's got lots of data on the incompetent judging late in the fight. He and Dan debate. And, they talk about Mario Barrios struggling to defend his welterweight title.

The guys turn to the "Latino Night" card in Saudi Arabia for Golden Boy Boxing and Riyadh Season, as Zurdo dominated Chris Billam-Smith for the unified cruiserweight title by easy decision. Ramirez really pounded CBS in the back half of the fight. Dan has more on the potential next fights for Zurdo. They also recap a very compelling undercard that saw Oscar Collazo score a KO to unify at strawweight, William Zepeda struggle with Tevin Farmer and a lackluster co-main.


There's fight news on the announced David Benavidez-David Morrell February PPV for Vegas and the undercard. And, Matchroom also has a looming January Vegas show that will likely feature Diego Pacheco.

And, finally, some nostalgia on Lennox Lewis regaining his heavyweight belts by booming KO over Hasim Rahman 23 years ago this weekend and Roy Jones dominating James Toney 30 years ago, as well.

It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

We've reached the highly anticipated return of 58 year old Mike Tyson in an actual fight Friday night with Jake Paul in Texas. And, we're ready to preview that bout, the Saudi "Latino Night" card for Golden Boy Promotions and more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com are back to go over it all:

Paul and Tyson are scheduled for 8 two minute rounds at AT&T Stadium, but the best fight of the weekend might be the Katie Taylor - Amanda Serrano, rematch for Taylor’s WBC/WBO/IBF/WBA women’s junior welterweight titles.

Then, on it's Saturday’s Golden Boy/Riyadh Season/DAZN card from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That has Mexico's Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez taking on England's Chris Billam-Smith, for the WBA/WBO cruiserweight unification. It should be a highly entertaining main event. Dan also goes over the undercard featuring-  Jose Ramirez vs. Arnold Barboza and lightweights William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer for vacant WBC interim lightweight title.

And, two ot the smallest world champs, Oscar Collazo against Thammanoon Niyomtrong for the WBO/WBA strawweight titles.
 
There's fight news on David Benavidez and David Morell metting in February. Dan has the specifics with his reporting.

The guys have more on Turki Alalshikh purchasing The Ring magazine from Oscar De La Hoya for $10 million and what are the implications for the Saudi's controlling a brand named boxing outlet like this?

 And, they have Nostalgia on the anniversaries
Nov. 13, 1992 – 32 years – Riddick Bowe defeating Evander Holyfield by decision to win the undisputed heavyweight title in an all-time classic fight and the first of their epic trilogy.

Plus, on Nov. 14, 2009 – 15 years ago on Thursday – hall of famer Manny Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto, as he moved up to welterweight and won the WBO title in a terrific fight, Dan was ringside at the MGM Grand.

And, T.J. and Dan reminisce on the tragedy 42 years ago (Nov. 13. 1982) of Ray "Boom Boom' Mancini's devastating 14th round TKO over Duk Koo-Kim, that led to Kim's death. The fight was on Saturday afternoon CBS network TV and is chilling to recall.

It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, Google, etc.!

It's a special one on one conversation on this edition of the podcast, as our insider Dan Rafael talks with one half of the cruiserweight world title unification bout in Saudi Arabia Saturday night on a mid-week "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

That fighter is England's Chris Billam-Smith who will meet Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in a 12 rounds round WBA/WBO cruiserweight unification battle to headline for Riyadh Season Promotions "Latino NIght" in conjunction with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

Billam-Smith is 20-1 with 13 KOs, and has made two defenses of his WBO title a year and a half ago by beating fellow countryman Lawrence Okolie in an upset. Chris talks to Dan about the roll he's been on and the challenge to face Ramirez, who is a previous world champ in the super middleweight division who's now moved up another 25 lb. or so and become the WBA titleholder.

It's all part of this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed for more great content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's the ring return of one of the modern legends in heavyweight boxing, as Friday night in Arlington, TX, "Iron Mike" Tyson is back (at 58 years old) to fight a modified bout with Jake Paul in a Nextflix main event. And, prior to the fight hear a conversation that our insider Dan Rafael had with Tyson just days before this latest comeback by the former undisputed champ.

Why is Tyson, who last fought Roy Jones in an exhibition in 2020, doing this fight at his age? Does he think Paul poses a challenge for him and what's the the future after this bout?

Hear it all on this one on one conversation with Dan and Mike Tyson, as part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and on this feed. Make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's another jammed packed recap show/podcast off a weekend that saw Keyshawn Davis score an impressive early win Friday and then, both Jaron "Boots" Ennis and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez successfully defended their world titles Saturday night. And, we recap those bouts, have some fight news and tremendous nostalgia on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are back to discuss it all:

Davis scored a great KO over Agrentine Gustavo Lemos in his hometown of Norfolk, VA, in the Top Rank Boxing/ESPN main event. And, Dan also goes over the undercard.
 
Next, they recap Saturday’s Matchroom/DAZN card in Philadelphia, as
Ennis won but had some issues with Karen Chukhadzhian in theirrematch for the IBF welterweight title The boys talk whether we should be concerned when "Boots" looks to move up in weight. In the co-feature, junior bantamweight Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez wiped out Pedro Guevara in the 3rd to retain the lineal/WBC 115 lb. title. What's "Bam's" potential in the next year or two. And, Dan likes what he saw out of Raymond Ford moving up to 130 lb. on the undercard. 
 
They also talk Saturday’s Fresh Productions/PPV.COM in Puerto Rico as junior welterweight Subriel Matias scored a quick KO of Roberto Ramirez.
 
There's news on super middleweight contender Jaime Munguia headed home to Tijuana, Mexico, for his first fight there in nearly three years against Bruno Surace in Zanfer Promotions main event Dec. 14 (ESPN+).

Also, fearsome Nigerian heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi, 51, who was on track for a title shot in the late 1990s, is making a comeback – 25 years since he last fought! .

Next, Oscar De La Hoya and Eddie Hearn been going back and forth about a Golden Boy vs. Matchroom 5 v 5 card. We go over the possibilities. 

Finally, there's nostalgia as, on Nov. 12, 1982 – 42 years ago on Tuesday – Aaron Pryor KO14 Alexis Arguello to retain the WBA junior welterweight title in their first fight. It's an amazing bout and one of the top 10 fights in boxing history! The boys talk this epic battle at the old Miami "Orang Bowl" Statium.

On Nov. 10, 1983 – 41 years ago Sunday – Marvin Hagler scored a 15 round decision over Roberto Duran in a "Four Kings" fight to retain the undisputed middleweight title. Much respect for Duran is discussed.

And last but not least, Nov. 11, 2000 – 24 years ago on Monday – Lennox Lewis defeated David Tua to retain the lineal and unified heavyweight title. Dan was ringside at Mandalay Bay on his first ever boxing trip to Las Vegas. Let's reminisce with him about big time Vegas moments.

It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's a very interesting weekend of fights and one of the great fighters of the 40 years is a guest with our Dan Rafael as part of the latest "Big Fight Weekend Preview."

Host T.J. Rives returns with Dan to go over it all, including news and some Sugar Ray Leonard classic nostalgia.

The guys begin with the preview of Friday night’s Top Rank/ESPN+ card from Norfolk, Va. that features rising lightweight Keyshawn Davis against veteran Gustavo Lemos in the main event. Howwever, there's controversy as Lemos was over 6 lb. way overweight. The boys discuss it all.
 They then turn to the Saturday night Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card from Philadelphia, where

Jaron “Boots” Ennis must fight Karen Chukhadzhian, the madatory challenger, in a rematch for Ennis’ IBF welterweight title. Boots is back at home and will he roll in this bout? Plus, exciting Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez meets Pedro Guevara for Rodriguez’s WBC junior bantamweight title. Will "Bam" deliver on a big stage here?
 
Then, on the week before his ring return with Jake Paul, former undisputed world heavyweight champ MIKE TYSON talks with Dan. Tyson ends nearly 20-year retirement at age 58 with official 8-round bout vs. Jake Paul on Friday night November 15 on Netflix at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Hear the legendary Tyson in his own words about doing this bout with the much younger Paul.
 
Next they discuss welterweight Conor Benn’s provisional suspension was lifted by the British Boxing Board of Control on Wednesday. He is clear to fight once again the UK after is two-year-long battle over positive drug tests. And, what's up with Naoya "the Monster" Inoue getting $20M sponsorship deal with Riyadh Season – and, yet, isn’t even required to fight in Riyadh.
 
And finally some anniversary nostalgia as on  November 7th, 1988 – 36 years ago Thursday – Sugar Ray Leonard crushed Donny Lalonde by KO to win the inaugural WBC super middleweight and also Lalonde’s light heavyweight title. The guys reflect on Ray's last great performance of his hall of fame career. And also on, November 7th, 2019 – 5 years ago Thursday – Naoya Inoue scores a thriilling decision of future hall of famer Nonito Donaire to unify bantamweight titles in the consensus 2019 fight of the year. It's easily Inoue’s toughest fight.

Hear ti all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Coming up later this week in Norfolk, VA, rising lightweight contender and former Olympic Silver Medalist Keyshawn Davis headlines for Top Rank Boxing/ESPN+. However, before all the events of fight week hear from Davis one on one with our insider Dan Rafael on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

They discuss his opponent and the challenge of Gustavo Lemos Friday night. Plus, Keyshawn shares his excitement for the bout being a virtual sellout for his hometown. And, he feels honored to follow in the hall of fame footsteps of Pernell Whitaker from that area.

Dan also finds out more about a possible title shot timeline for Keyshawn, too

It's al on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's the newest edition of our recap show as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack are back to go over the action, Dan has a one on one interview with a rising star lightweight and we have some great nostalgia. It's al on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

The guys recap the Top Rank/ESPN+ card from Saturday at Turning Stone in Verona, NY, as  O’Shaquie Foster regained his WBC 130 lb. title with a split decision over Robson Conceicao. This avenged Foster's controversial loss earlier this Summer. And, also rising lightweight star Raymond Muratalla demolishes Jesus Perez in just two rounds in the co-feature.

Next is the Golden Boy/DAZN card from Saturday at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, where lightweight Floyd Schofield won but had problems late with veteran Rene Tellez Giron. And, Gabriela Fundora scored a TKO over Gabriela Celeste Alanizs, retaining the IBF, and winning the WBC/WBO/WBA women’s flyweight world titles. Fundora has huge upside, obviously.

Then, Dan talks with Keyshawn Davis who will have his first hometown fight in Norfolk, Virginia, and his first main event on Friday night’s Top Rank ESPN+ card. They go over the Olympian's progress and goals.

There's fight news on DAZN and Queensberry announcing Sunday they have joined forces in a deal that will put all of Queensberry’s events exclusively on DAZN. And, Gustavo Olivieri, the longtime WBO attorney, was elected president of the sanctioning body on Thursday during its annual convention in Puerto Rico, replacing the retiring Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, who led the WBO for 30 years.

Finally, there's nostalgia for Nov. 3, 2001 – 23 years ago – as future hall of famer Kostya Tszyu scored a wild KO in the 2nd over Zab Judah to become undisputed junior welterweight champion.

30 years ago on Tuesday – George Foreman's historic 10th round KO Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight title in one of the most memorable moments in heavyweight history. And, also, Sunday, November 3rd is the great Larry Holmes' 75th birthday. We reminisce on him, as well.

It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's the newest edition of our preview podcast as Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ Saturday night in New York features Robson Conceicao vs. O’Shaquie Foster for Conceicao’s WBC junior lightweight title. We talk that bout, lightweight contender Floyd Schofield headlining for Golden Boy Promotions in Vegas, some fight news and some classic anniverary nostalgia.

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com to go over it all. Will Foster avenge his awful loss to Conceicao to regain his belt? The guys discuss that and also Top Rank 135 lb. rising star Raymond Muratalla in action.

Meanwhile, Schofield meets veteran Rene Tellez Giron in 12 rounder and for the laties Gabriela Fundora takes on Gabriela Celeste Alaniz, for the IBF/WBC/WBO/WBA undisputed women’s flyweight titles, too.

Next there's fight news on Dan's reporting that Canelo Alvarez WON'T be fighting Chris Eubank of the U.K. coming up in May. He explains more. 

Plus, the Tank Davis-Lamont Roach PPV event is now definitely not happening December 14th per Dan's investigating, including messaging with Davis.

There's news on Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez signing contract extension with Matchroom Boxing ahead of his November. 9the defense vs. Pedro Guevara.

And, 22-year-old Marco Verde, the 2024 Olympic welterweight silver medalist from Mexico and one of most sought after Olympians, is going pro under the guidance of manager Eddy Reynoso.

The show wraps with Halloween anniversary nostalgia on Prince Naseem Hamed beating Wayne McCullough to retain WBO featherweight title 26 years ago. Dan was ringside for the first of the 236 HBO fights he covered and first fight for USA Today.

And October 31, 1992  Lennox Lewis announces his arrival on the world stage by destroying Razor Ruddock in 2 rounds in England in a WBC title eliminator that eventually led him to becoming the full champ and a hall of famer.

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 one on one conversation with a former world champ looking to regain his title in a rematch, as O'Shaquie Foster is a guest with our Dan Rafael on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

The former WBC junior lightweight titlist Foster attempts to regain the title against Brazilian Robson Conceicao, who won the belt from him via controversial decision back in July. This bout headlines the Top Rank card on ESPN+ at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY.

Foster is a tremendous story, as he was in prision in the recent past, but emerged to become a contender and eventual champ. Can he get it back on Saturday night? Dan discusses with him

It's part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subcribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.