We are ready to go for the Labor Day holiday weekend with a former heavyweight champ in action in NJ, an Irish hero with a huge farewell fight looming and also, Conor Benn joins us too! All of this is on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter are back to give insight and analysis.

First, they talk Friday night Matchroom’s “The Fight” card on DAZN/TNT/truTV in Newark, New Jersey

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba, 12 rounds, heavyweight contender battle. Ruiz back from two years off and only three fights in the last six years. Will he have something in this one?
Also, Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams, 12 rounds, middleweights and 
Alan Chaves vs. Eridson Garcia, 10 rounds, WBO Latino lightweights  

Then, the Saturday Matchroom/DAZN card 80,00-seat sold-out Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland for Katie Taylor’s farewell fight
Taylor vs. Flora Pili, for Taylor’s WBO/IBF/WBA and vacant WBC women’s junior welterweight title 

Next, Benn's interview, as he challenges Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on Sept. 12 (Paramount+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Benn is emotional in this interview for the massive fight coming up.
 
Then, some news

Do we need to do a Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua update? Probably, but there's nothing definite, at least as of Thursday night,.


And, Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster met kickoff presser was Wednesday in San Antonio.  for the three belt unified 130 lb  fight. There are also some quality names on the undercard also announced.

Raymond Muratalla has vacated the IBF lightweight title, informing the organization of his decision on Tuesday, Carl Moretti of Top Rank, Muratalla’s promoter, told Dan this week.
 Next, WBO featherweight titlist Rafael Espinoza is now being trained by Eddy Reynoso alongside Canelo Alvarez in San Diego. And, Espinoza plans to fight Oct. 31 in Riyadh on the Canelo-Mbilli card vs. mandatory challenger Lorenzo Parra.

And, we wrap with Nostalgia! Hall of Famer Erik Morales celebrated his 50th birthday on Tuesday. All-time great won world titles in four divisions. Dan gives you more!

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

It was supposed to be a coronation, but Filip Hrgovic had other ideas and has won a portion of the heavyweight crown. We are ready to recap his shocking turnaround upset, go over other prominent title bouts and more on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are ready to roll the sleeves up and talk about it all.

First, they recap Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN PPV main event at The O2 Arena in London

Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic stunning TKO9 Moses Itauma, wins the vacant IBF title. It was amazing, as Itauma had dominated the first eight rounds but was also getting more and more tired from the sixth round on and then, a huge KO for the Croatian. They recap the amazing turn of events and now, what's next for both?
 
Next, Saturday’s ProBoxTV main event at Galen Center in Los Angeles

Super middleweight Lester Martinez TKO10 Luka Plantic, retains the WBC interim title. Martinez still moving up.
 
Then, Saturday’s MVPW-06 ESPN+ card at bp pulse in Birmingham, England

Junior middleweight Chantelle Cameron W10 Mikaela Mayer, retains WBO, wins WBC/WBA women’s titles. it was a convincing win and a less than classy post-fight for Mayer. And in the co-feature,
Lightweight Caroline Dubois W10 Amelia Moore, retains WBC/WBO women’s title.
 
And, also, Saturday's Matchroom Boxing/Boxstars DAZN main event in Guadalajara, Mexico
Junior lightweight Mauricio Lara TKO2 Carlos Ornelas, it was short but a tremendous shootout
 
Next, some news and fight announcements
Queensberry Promotions makse three Fall card announcements.

-- WBO heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley in a rematch on Oct. 17 at The O2 in London. They faced off in the ring before Hrgovic-Itauma and it is likely the "Fight of the Year" to this point and now they will do it again.

-- Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson in a rematch for the vacant WBC light heavyweight title on Nov. 7 in Manchester, England

And,
-- WBA junior lightweight titlist Anthony Cacace vs. Nick Ball, Dec. 19 in Belfast

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

Coming up Saturday night September 5th in Dublin, Ireland, arguably the greatest female fighter of the modern boxing era is potentially fighting her final fight, as Katie Taylor returns.

And before fight week begins for her at the massive Croke Park, she joins our insider Dan Rafael in this one on one conversation.

Taylor, who's been the undisputed women's champion in two divisions, says will be the last fight of her legendary career before an expected sellout crowd of about 80,000.

The former Gold Medalist and Irish national hero will defend her three junior welterweight titles and box for the vacant WBC belt against Flora Pili in an attempt to become a three-time undisputed champion.

Katie reflects on her success, her massive fights in the USA with fellow legend Amanda Serrano and looks ahead to the future for her and women's boxing, too.

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

We are back with a HUGE heavyweight title showdown in England and one of the all time ladies fighter's EVER joins us. It's all part of the latest "Big Fight Weekend Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to get into it all.

Fist, it's a preview of Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN PPV main event at The O2 Arena in Lodnon
Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic, for vacant the IBF heavyweight title Itauma Iook to join likes Tyson, Spinks and even Ali, at having so few pro fights and or at such a young age to win a portion or the whole heavyweight crown.

Next, it's Saturday’s ProBoxTV main event in Los Angeles
Lester Martinez vs. Luka Plantic, for Martinez’s WBC interim super middleweight title.  The 168 lb. division is definitely fertile with names and fights. Can Martinez join in?

Also, Saturday’s MVP ESPN+ card in Birmingham, England 
Mikaela Mayer vs. Chantelle Cameron, WBC/WBA/WBO women’s junior middleweight unification. A very intriguing women's showdown with two of the best active fighters in the sport. And, Caroline Dubois vs. Amelia Moore, for Dubois’ WBC/WBO women’s lightweight title in the co-feature. 
Next our KATIE TAYLOR interview
September 5th (DAZN) at Croke Park with an 80,000 sellout – in Dublin, Ireland, she fights her farewell fight. Taylor faces Flora Pili for the undisputed women’s junior welterweight title. Taylor defends WBO/IBF/WBA and also fights for the vacant WBC title she previously held. She talks with Dan about it all.
 
Next, some news
Lineal/three-belt light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and WBO interim titlist Callum Smith made a deal for their mandatory fight and the WBO purse bid scheduled for Thursday was canceled. RCC Promotions will promote the bout and is planning it for December 12 in Ekaterinburg, Russia, sources with knowledge of the plans told Dan mid-week.

Next, Floyd Schofield vs. Lucas Bahdi for the vacant WBA lightweight title in the main event of a Golden Boy card on October 10 (DAZN) at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. In the co-feature: WBC/WBA flyweight titleholder Ricardo Sandoval will defend against lineal and WBO/WBA strawweight champion Oscar Collazo, who will move up two weight classes for the fight he has called for. And intriguing night in the motor city.

Next, WBC junior middleweight titlist Sebastian Fundora will defend against mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj on Oct. 17 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on “The Fight” series (DAZN, TNT, truTV). Also on the card: WBA featherweight titlist Brandon Figueroa vs. Tomoki Kameda in the co-feature and the rescheduled return of former two-division titlist Jermall Charlo against Koen Mazoudier in a 10-round super middleweight bout.  

Then, the unification fight that was recently agreed to between WBO/IBF titlist Emanuel Navarrete and WBC titleholder O’Shaquie Foster will in fact be for all three titles, as the WBO has signed off on it and given Navarrete a second exception. The presser will be next week in San Antonio to announce. Also – Foster signs contract extension with Top Rank announced Thursday  

Also, unified women’s junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner will move up to lightweight and challenge IBF titleholder Elif Nur Turhan in the headliner of the MVPW-07 card that will feature four women’s world title bouts on Nov. 8 (ESPN, ESPN+) at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, MVP announced.  

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

A title win for Tefimo Lopez, a tough night in victory for a women's great and is the Fury-Joshua fight in serious jeopardy over lack of payment to AJ??? We cover it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter return to go over it all.


They start with Saturday night’s PBC/DAZN PPV at T-Mobile in Las Vegas

Teofimo Lopez W12 by majority decision over Rolando Romero and wins WBA 147 lb. title. What was up with the close cards in a very clear Lopez win. And, what's next for Teo in a loaded weltereweight division?

In the co-feature, Yoenli Hernandez W10 in a close call also over Francisco Daniel Veron. Big future for the Cuban Hernandez. We have more.

Plus, Gary Antonio Russell decisions Victor Santillan, wins WBA interim 122 lb. position and prospect  Carlos Utria W10 in another messy decision over Israel Mercado at junior welterweight.


Then, they talk Friday night’s MVP/TikTok card at Pechanga resort in Temecula, Calif.

Amanda Serrano W10 maj Lucrecia Manzur, retains WBO/WBA women’s 126 lb. The boys disagree with each other on who won this one. And also, lightwieght rising prospect Jahmal Harvey KO2 of Hammet Keb, too.


Then, some news,

We have the latest on the AJ-Fury saga, as Matchroom's Eddie Hearn went on the offensive about details of the ongoing dispute to alter the fight contract and have it in the USA, reportedly at Madison Square Garden. T.J. raises what the real issue could currently be- Joshua hasn't recevied some or most of his money from last month's Kristian Prenga fight. 

The probable mega-fight of Naoya Inoue-Bam Rodriguez looking like Feb/March at a stadium in Japan, per reports from Japan. But looks like, as the WBA bantamweight titlist, Bam probably first facing IBF titlist Christian Medina in unification fight later this year, That fight could be on the Canelo-Mbilli card Oct. 31. in Saudi Arabia.

Next, the expected news for Xander Zayas, coming off knockout loss to Boots Ennis in June that cost him his unified junior middleweight title, is moving up to middleweight for his next bout.

Horrible news, as former WBO bantamweight and IBF junior bantamweight titlist Zolani Tete, 38, was murdered in an ambush at his home on Friday in his native South Africa. Dan has the latest.

With no deal made by the deadline, the WBO announced it will hold a purse bid on August 27 (Thursday) for the fight between unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and interim titlist Callum Smith. We have more on whether Bivol just vacates the WBO belt or would he fight this fight?









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

We are back and ready for a championship weekend in the Western U.S. with a women's legend in California and a world wetlerweight title PPV main event in Vegas. We will go over it all and have fight news, too on the newest "BFW Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are back to give their takes and make some predicitions, etc.

First, they preview Friday night's MVP main event on TikTok and YouTube in Temecula, California

Amanda Serrano vs. Lucrecia Manzur, 12 rounds, for Serrrano’s WBO/WBA women’s featherweight title. Tik Tok Live Broadcast? Yes and the great Serrano goes for history.

Saturday night PBC PPV on DAZN at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

Rolando Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez, 12 rounds, for Romero’s WBA welterweight title. Will we get a good one here? Both fighters have been good at times and inconsistent at times.
Yoenli Hernandez vs. Francisco Daniel Veron, 10 rounds, middleweights in the co-feature
Victor Santillan vs. Gary Antonio Russell, 12 rounds, for Santillan’s WBA interim junior featherweight title
Carlos Utria vs. Israel Mercado, 10 rounds, junior welterweights  

Some News

Deal agreed to for Floyd Schofield vs. Lucas Bahdi for the vacant WBA lightweight title. Golden Boy will promote the fight, likely October 10th. Both fighters have been inactive for the last year.

Former heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko issues statement on the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, his former fiancée and mother of his 11-year-old daughter. 

Next, a deal now in place for WBO/IBF junior lightweight titlist Emanuel Navarrete and WBC titleholder O’Shaquie Foster to unify on Oct. 24 on DAZN but a venue update.  

And, several big pieces of memorabilia from the personal collection of the late Marvelous Marvin Hagler sold during a Lelands auction on Saturday. Dan is dumbfounded that his title belts did not go for much, much more.

Nostalgia  August 19, 1995 — 31 years ago on Wednesday – Mike Tyson W-DQ1 Peter McNeeley in his first fight after over four years at trial and then, in prison. It was a farce, but we have more about it.

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

Coming up Saturday night August 22nd in Las Vegas, former two division world champion Teofimo Lopez is already back in the ring and readay to challenge for another world title. This, as he meets WBA welterweight champ Rolly Romero in a DAZN PPV.

However, he joins our insider Dan Rafael first in a one on one conversation to discuss his recent career and his chances Saturday night.

Lopez, who defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in arguably the win of his career in 2020, also owns a victory over former undisputed 140 lb. champ Josh Taylor, as well. However, he also has been beaten by George Kambosos and was decisively almost shut out by Shakur Stevenson in their January 31st main event at Madison Square Garden in NYC. 

Lopez gives honest answers on what went wrong against Shakur, even specifically blaming his father/cornerman for not helping him enough in training or the fight? Plus, Teofimo has a long friendship with Romero, as they have trained and sparred together and what about that angle for this bout?

It's all part of this convesation prior to the PPV in Vegas and make sure to follow/subscribe on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

Arguably the greatest women's fighter in the sport was back and scored an emphatic win + we have fight news, including is the Fury-Joshua fight perhaps in jeopardy of not happening? We discuss it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!" 

Host T.J. Rives is back and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newletter are both ready to give their insight.

First, a recap of Saturday night's Salita Promotions DAZN card in Atlanta

Claressa Shields TKO6 Kaye Scott and wins WBC/WBA women’s middleweight titles. This wasn't much of a challenge and really, what else is out there for Shields in terms of competition. Then, an undercard fight was moved up, as Troy Isley W10 over Joseph Hicks in a real snoozer of a bout.

That's becaue Ernesto “Tito” Mercado, who was in the initial co-feature, had his bout canceled twice when his opponent and a 24 hour eplacement both were way overweight!. What. Are. We. Doing. Here. With the weigh-in debacles?!

Then, some News

The WBO has ordered super middleweight titlist Hamzah Sheeraz to next face former unified middleweight titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly. They have until Sept. 1 to make a deal. Janibek is still suspended until December for PED failed test!!!!!! Dan has more and both guys go off on the organizations just making up scenarios and rules 

Next, the ongoing nonsense about the site for Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua and some question if it will even happen now?? Zuffa Boxing's Dana talked about it after his UFC show Saturday night.  

Also, IBF super middleweight titlist Osleys Iglesias will make his first defense against Oliver Zaren on Oct. 8 (DAZN) at the Theatre Capitole in Quebec City, Canada.  

Update on Navarrate-Foster 130 unification. WBO announced they were told by promoters terms were agreed to but it will now have to decide whether to approve it force the mandatory with Saurez. Either way the fight will happen even if Navarrete drops the WBO title. Either a two-belt or a three-belt unification.  

And, Former WBC featherweight titlist Mark Magsayo and Andres Cortes will meet in a 10-round lightweight bout that will open the Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn main card on Sept. 12 (Paramount+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Zuffa Boxing announced. Very solid fight.  

Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are back and ready to go with a women's world title main event in Atlanta Saturday and the flamboyant Teofimo Lopez looks to rebound from being routed in his last fight in January and he joins us to discuss his welterweight title next weekend. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Poecast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter return.

First, they preview Saturday’s Salita Promotions DAZN card in Atlanta

Kaye Scott vs. Claressa Shields, 10 rounds, for Scott’s WBC/WBAwomen’s middleweight title. Shields is arguably the best female fighter in the sport but this fight is an apparent joke matchup for her. We go into the "why" on this one. In the co feature- Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Emmanuel Tagoe, 10 rounds, junior welterweights. Mercado has potential but has had lots of promotional problems and not been that active.


Next, the guys recap Wednesday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Broadbeach, Australia
Heavyweight hopeful Teremoana Teremoana (12-0, 12 KOs), 2024 Australian Olympian, in his first main event, blew away seemingly petrified DeAndre Savage by second-round knockout. Teremoana needs rounds and better opponents.

Then, it's former junior welterweight and lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez talking to Dan. He moves up to welterweight to challenge WBA titlist and good friend Rolando Romero on August 22 on DAZN PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
 
Next, some news

The death of former welterweight up-and-comer Prichard Colon, who suffered a severe brain injury in an Oct. 17, 2015 PBC bout on NBC TV .Colon was 33, as his father announced his death on Thursday on social media. Dan remembers vividly what happened and covering the aftermath for years.

Also, Dan is reporting on the three-belt unification fight between WBO/IBF junior lightweight titlist Emanuel Navarrete and WBC titleholder O’Shaquie Foster being in the works but not done. Although, Top Rank Boxing has a probable date and a site on hold. We like this fight, but will it happen.

More Dan reporting on a possible Vasily Lomachenko opponent when he exits an over two year retirement later this year.

And, former two-time heavyweight titleholder Hasim Rahman, who is 53 and been retired since 2014, had his license denied by the New York commission and the comeback fight planned for Aug. 18 was canceled but now his team has announced a different fight for next month in Hammond, Indiana, where the commission sucks and it’s way easier to get a license. WHAT. ARE. WE. DOING. HERE?!

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

Flamboyant WBA welterweight champ Rolly Romero is set to return later this month in a PPV main event, but first he stops be for a conversation on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" with insider Dan Rafael.

Romero is making his first WBA welterweight title defense vs. his good friend, Teofimo Lopez. on August 22nd on a DAZN/Prime Video PPV from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

He discusses that matchup and the future at 147 lb., especially since, he owns a win over current WBC champ, Ryan Garcia last year.

Hear it all as part of our coverage on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.