Coming up Saturday night in London, the interim WBO heavyweight champ will risk his position and interim belt in a Queensberry Promotions main event. But, before that happens, hear from Joseph Paker with our insider Dan Rafael on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Parker Defends his WBO interim heavyweight title vs. England's Fabio Wardley at The O2 In London headlining the DAZN PPV event. At stake for both, is a possible pathway to fight undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a massive opportunity. At the minimum, the winner would eventually be promoted to the full WBO title, if Usyk won't him.

Dan goes over it all and talks with Parker, 36-3, about his string of recent impressive wins over former WBC heavweight champ Deontay Wilder, massive Chinese contender Zhilei Zhang and a quick KO of Martin Bakole earlier this year. 

Wardley is dangerous with a 19-0-1 record and couple of large recent KOs on his resume' that make him a threat to Parker.

Hear it all as part of this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify! 

It's yet another light weekend worldwide in the sport, but there is a decent name coming back in the ring in New York and the WBO interim heavyweight champ Joseph Parker is also our guest 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.

 
First, a preview of the Saturday's Swift Promotions main at Barclays Center/Brooklyn on Million.co PPV, as Junior middleweight Danny Garcia returns vs. Daniel Gonzalez, 10 rounds in his supposed farewell fight. Dan talked to Garcia recently and gives more.
 
Then, the Parker Interview, as he meets Fabio Wardley October 25th at The O2 Arena In London headlining a Queensberry Promotions DAZN PPV event. Parker taking a significant risk, when he could be fighting Oleksandr Usyk next by sitting tight.
 
Next, some News

Top Rank confirms the November show in Mexico with their fighters fighting on the Zanfier Promotions card headlined by Rafael Espinoza defending his WBO Featherweight crown. We have the latest.

Next, an Update on the Itauama/Pulev-Gassiev heavyweight situation with the WBA. Dan explains.

The California athletic commission on Wednesday voted 6-0 to endorse the TKO/Zuffa-based "Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act." There's good back and forth on the situation.

Also, Amanda Serrano will return to featherweight to defend her unified WBO/WBA women’s titles against Erika Cruz in a rematch of their epic battle in 2023. The fight tops the MVP card on January 3rd on DAZN in San Juan.

Back to the always comical WBA, as they ordered newly elevated welterweight titleholder Rolando Romero and mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov to meet next. Rolly supposed to, however, fight Manny Pacquiao in January.

They have also ordered WBA featherweight titlist Nick Ball to next face mandatory challenger Brandon Figueroa, which is a much better fight, if it comes off.

And, Matchroom announced super middleweight contenders Diego Pacheco and Kevin Lele Sadjo will meet in the main event Dec. 13 (DAZN) at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California. Meanwhile, WBC cruiserweight titlist Badou Jack and former titlist Noel Mikaelian will meet in a rematch on Dec.13 at a venue to be announced in Los Angeles. First fight was a highly disputed decision in May.

It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast

We got back to action in the ring in Philly and in Sheffield, England and we're ready to go over both the main events, add some fight news and more on the newest "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.

First, a recap of Saturday night’s Matchroom/DAZN card in Philadelphia
Junior middleweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis TKO1 Uisma Lima, wins the (don't laught) vacant WBA interim title. So, what's next for Boots in this one? 

In the co-feature Heavyweight Guido Vianello KO5 of Alexis Barriere in what's likely his best win as a pro.

Then, we recap Saturday’s Matchroom/DAZN main event earlier in the day in the U.S. from  Sheffield, England 

Heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov out punched David Allen in a really intriguing fight for a 12 round decision. Is the name Anthony Johsua on the horizon, too?
Then, to some Fight news
Sebastian Fundora is injured, PBC postpones the Keith Thurman PPV fight and also, the entire Oct. 25 card is now gone. Dan has the latest on the reschedule of the main event and an uppdate on where the other fights are going?

Dan is reporting that WBO/IBF middleweight titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly and WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara deal is nearly done for them to in a three-belt unification that be co-feature on the Pitbull Cruz-Lamont Roach Jr. PBC PPV card on Dec. 6.

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev is off the Nov. 22 Ring magazine card. But, it's not an injury. Dan has learned more.

We reminisce on the passing of longtime ABC boxing analyst Alex Wallau who died at age 80 earlier last week. Wallau is definitely known for commentating on some significant fights in the 1980s in particular.

During the Ennis-Lima card, it was also announced that super middleweight Diego Pacheco will face  Kevin Lele Sadjo in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card on Dec. 13 in Stockton, California. Dan has more on Pacheco's opponent and is this his biggest threat to date?

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

Finally some decent action in the ring this weekend in both Philly and England and we're ready to go over it and the news and more on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast.

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are back aboard to go over it all.

They start with the preview of Saturday's Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Philadelphia

Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. Uisma Lima, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA interim junior middleweight title. Boots has moved up but the opponent is...questionable, to be kind. We discuss.

And, the co feature has Alexis Barriere vs. Guido Vianello, 10 rounds, heavyweights. Anything of note here? 

Next, a preview of the Saturday Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event in Sheffield, England

David Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov, 12 rounds, heavyweight main event. Allen is a popular fighter who's come out of retirement a couple of times and Makhmudov either KOs or gets Kay-oed. So, stay tuned.

Then, the News:

Arturo Gatti Jr., the 17 year old son of the legend and rising amateur fighter, allegedly commits suicide in Mexico this week. However, there should be questions asked, as his mother and Gatti Sr.'s widow is involved again just like the death investigation into the father's death in Brazil 16 years ago that is still shrouded in controversy. Dan has tremendous insight on this and T.J. is, let's just say, not buying the intial reports of a "suicide" for the younger Gatti, too.

Next the Issac "Pitbul" Cruzl- Lamont Roach bout had a  kick off news conference on Wednesday in San Antonio, TX ahead of their December 6 PBC Prime Video PPV. We have more.

IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla and mandatory challenger Andy Cruz have the mandatory ordered. Cruz's team at Matchroom didn’t want to negotiate and asked for immediate purse bid, which the IBF set for Oct. 16. What's it all mean and when will they likely fight?

And, Light heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker, the polarizing, brash and tremendously talented 2020 British Olympic silver medalist, has signed “a long-term” promotional contract with Matchroom Boxing, the company announced on Monday. Will he start fighting, as much as showboating and talking about it? Stay tuned.

Finally, Nostalgia

Oct. 8, 2005 – 20 years ago on Wednesday – Jose Luis Castillo, who missed weight by 3.5 lbs, was stripped of 135 title & whose team member was suspended for scale tampering, KO'd Diego Corrales in round 4 of a shootout in the rematch of their legendary first fight five months earlier. Big Dan was at the crazy weigh-in and then, ringside for the Castillo KO.

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

Coming up on Saturday night October 18th, former two-division champion Danny "Swift" Garcia ends a 13-month layoff and will headline his own Swift Promotions card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

Garcia will meet Daniel Gonzalez in a 10-round junior middleweight bout in what is billed as his “Farewell to Brooklyn”

However, before he steps into the ring once more, Garcia spoke at length to our insider Dan Rafael, who wanted to know more about why comeback? Why do it now and is he really serious about continuing to fight on after this bout?

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

It's arguably the greatest heavyweight title ever and it fight took place in Manila, Philippines (of all places) with "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali winning the trilogy fight with his arch rival "Smokin' Joe" Frazier dubbed "The Thrilla in Manila!"

And, on the 50th anniversary of Ali's win, we're recapping it on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael re-live the buildup to their third fight, why it ended up in the Far East and just how ridiculously hot it was that day in the arena?

Ali and Frazier pounded each other for 14 rounds before Frazier's corner stopped the bout for the Ali TKO to retain the heavyweight crown. It's still regarded half a century later as the hardest, toughest battle of both of their hall of fame careers.

This is as good as it gets with nostalgia!

And, make sure to follow/subscribe to this podcast feed on Apple/Spreaker//Spotify, etc.!

Yet another light week in the the ring, but we have plenty to go over and a former 2 time world champ joins us for a conversation too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return to go over it all.

First, a preview
Saturday in Lilliestram, Norway on "UFC Fight Pass," Ema Kozin vs. Cecilia Braekhus, for Kozin’s WBC/WBO women’s junior middleweight title

This is the announced farewell fight for Cecilia Braekhus at home in Norwway. She is the former longtime women’s undisputed welterweight champion and one of the best female boxers of all time. She made 25 welterweight title defenses during her 2009 to 2020 title reign.The guys talk her brillant career.

Then, a DANNY GARCIA interivew with Dan
Former two-division champion ends a 13-month layoff and will headline his own Swift Promotions card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, vs. Daniel Gonzalez, a 10-round junior middleweight bout later this month. It is billed as “Farewell to Brooklyn” for Garcia.
 
News

The 2026 International Boxing Hall of Fame ballots are out. Dan has the details on new editions in the various categories that will be voted on later in the year.

Next, Canelo Alvarez is now set for left elbow surgery on Oct. 23. We have the latest on the injury and does it impact his 2026 and beyond??

Next, it's official this week: Paramount+ and Zuffa Boxing announced their expected rights deal that will add Zuffa events to the streamer, which in August also announced a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to acquire all U.S. broadcast and streaming rights for sister company UFC.
Paramount+ will stream 12 Zuffa Boxing events in 2026 “with plans to grow that number in subsequent years.” The deal is for rights in the United States, Canada and Latin America. There is discussion.

Per Dan's reporting, Issac "Pitbull" Cruz vs. Lamont Roach is a PBC PPV and will be Dec. 6 at the Frost Bank Center, which is the home arena of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

And, WBO featherweight titlist Rafael Espinoza will make his fourth defense against Arnold Khegai in the headliner of a Zanfer Promotions card on Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosi, per multiple sources. Various other Top Rank fighters on the show including: Lindolfo Delgado, etc.


Finally, a little Nostalgia
Oct. 2, 2004 — 21 years ago on Thursday – Felix Trinidad exits a 2½-year retirement and returned to face fellow former welterweight and junior middleweight titlist Ricardo Mayorga in a middleweight bout at Madison Square Garden. Was a great battle, great KO, sick atmosphere. Big Dan was ringside and remembers it all well.


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

With another light weekend of action (or lack thereof) in the ring, we decided to go to a "heavyweight" in the boxing media outside of it. This, as ESPN's Mark Kriegel joined our coverage on Youtube and hear on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

On this special video/pod we have an extended conversation with the ESPN broadcaster and noted columnist/author for over 35 years, Kriegel, who has written a new book on Tyson's rise from trouble as a teenager into the fearsome heavyweight champ he became at just 20 years old.

It's called "Baddest Man... The Making Of Mike Tyson" and our insider Dan Rafael with T.J. Rives enjoyed reminiscing with Mark about the dominance of Tyson in the mid to late 1980s. Get tremendous insight on the early days of Mike Tyson's seemingly invincible dominance.

Make sure to like and subscribe to our "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc, !

Without a significant fight card worldwided this weekend there is still plenty of news to go over headed to the final weekend of September on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to go over the prominent info and have some takes.

They begin with:

Jake Paul-Gervonta Davis held their media tour Monday (NYC) and Tuesday (Miami) and MVP has also announced the undercard for their November show. The guys go over it all, including what are the weight and round stipulations?

Next, Frank "the Ghost" Martin, idle since Gervonta Davis spectacularly knocked him out in the eighth round of a lightweight title bout in June 2024, will end a 16-month layoff by moving up to junior welterweight against two-division titlist Rances Barthelemy on Oct. 25 on the Fundora-Thurman free prelims. Dan gives you more.

Also, per his reporting, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will meet Lamont Roach for Cruz’s WBC interim junior welterweight title, being planned to headline a Dec. 6 or 20 PBC on Prime Video PPV. Intriguing late in the year bout.

Next, there was a presser in Japan on Thursday to officially announce Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Takuma Inoue for the vacant WBC bantamweight title vacated by Junto Nakatani last week. Inoue is the younger brother of Naoya Inoue and will try to regain a portion of the 118 lb. titles.

The Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn Nov. 15th undercard has been announced and we have more.

And, finally Lindolfo Delgado and Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela have a deal for IBF junior welterweight title eliminator for a shot at Richardson Hitchins. The probable date is Nov. 15th on a Zanfer Promotions card in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, that also likely will include several Top Rank fighters (Delgado is also with TR). Dan has all the details.

It's all part of the "BFW Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

And, fnd our Big Fight Weekend Youtube page, where you will see first our lengthy but excellent conversation with ESPN's Mark Kriegel, who has authored an "Iron Mike" Tyson book that is just out. See it Sunday evening on Youtube!

It was a rather light weekend worldwide, but there was a significant 2 world title fight card in California and of course, we're recapping that and have the newest fight news, too, on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host TJ. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter to give their takes.

First, they recap the Golden Boy DAZN card Saturday night in Indio, Calif.
Strawweight Oscar Collazo TKO7 against Jayson Vayson, retains WBO/WBA title Flyweight after Vayson's corner mysteriously throws in a towel that wasn't really needed. Also, Gabriela Fundora TKO7 over Alexas Kubicki, and retains undisputed women’s title

Junior welterweight Ruslan Abdullaev W8 Kevin Johnson battle and welterweight Joel Iriarte TKO3 over Eduardo Hernandez. Dan has a little on both.
  
Then, a brief recap of the No Limit Boxing main event Thursday ib Brisbane, Australia
Former IBF junior welterweight titlist Liam Paro decisions David Papot in IBF final welterweight eliminator. Title shot against newly elevated champ Lewis Crocker in the offing?
 
Finally, some fight news
Golden Boy announces Vergil Ortiz-Lubin Nov. 28 undercard, including lightweight contender Floyd Schofield vs. Joseph Diaz Jr. Big Dan is less than thrilled.

 The Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn 2 kickoff presser was last week in London. What is Eubank Jr. bizarrely claiming now?

And, we finish with the discussion of the general pitiful schedule remaining for rest of year. Pretty weak other than a Nov. 22 Saudi card. Dan is ready TO LAUNCH.

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