Another weekend and another shocker main event, as Caleb Plant was upset in Las Vegas. We discuss that bout, the undercard and also fight cards for Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing from Friday on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Feaks Unite Substack and newsletter are back.

The discuss.

The PBC on Prime Video card Saturday in Las Vegas
as little known Armando Resendiz upset Caleb Plant and wins the WBA interim 168 lb. title. Is this more verifcation that Plant's better days are behind him? And what does it do to the possible fight with super middleweight Jermall Charlo, who scored a TKO6 over Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna.

They also talk the middleweight Yoenli Hernandez decisioning Kyrone Davis and also, junior middleweight Isaac Lucero with a quick TKO over Omar Valenzuela.
 
Next a recap of the Golden Boy DAZN main event Friday in Las Vegas
Super middleweight Bektemir Melikuziev wins a tremendous decision over Darius Fulghum in a WBA eliminator. More on this bout.

Plus, there was a solid Matchroom DAZN card Friday in Guadalajara, Mexico
Light heavyweight Khalil Coe TKO6 over Manuel Gallegos in a rematch and avenges his TKO loss. And, junior featherweight Murodjon Akhmadaliev earns a TKO8 against Luis Castillo and up next is Sept. 14 Naoa Inoue challenge for the undisputed 122 lb. belts.

Some News
Devin Haney-Teofimo Lopez back ON for Aug. 16th after Teofimo apologized to Turki Alashikh.

The Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios full PPV undercard wsa announced Saturday in Vegas and the fighters met briefly with the media.

Sadly, Hall of Famer Mike McCallum died in Las Vegas at age 68. One of the greats! He won titles at 154 lb., 160 lb., and 175 lb. We reminisce

Nostalgia
June 1, 2019 – 6 years ago Sunday – late replacement opponent Andy Ruiz TKO7 Anthony Joshua in a massive upset to win the unified WBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight title in their first fight. Big Dan ringside at MSG. (Watch more on this huge upset on our Big Fight Weekend Youtube page)

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

A familiar fighter returns to the Las Vegas limelight, plus, some prominent fighters are in the news for the wrong reasons and we explain it all on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

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

They begin with:

A Recap of the Ohashi Promotions card on Wednesday in Yokohama, Japan
Yoshiki Takei TKO1 Yuttapong Tongdee and retains WBO bantamweight title.
Plus, Eduardo Nunez wins easily in 12 rounds over Masanori Rikiishi and wins the vacant IBF junior lightweight title. Dan has a lot on both
 
Next, a Preview of the PBC on Prime Video card Saturday night at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
Caleb Plant returns against little known. Armando Resendiz, 12 rounds, for Plant’s WBA interim super middleweight title. More importantly is he's likely fighting Jermall Charlo next. Charlo first takes on. Thomas LaManna in a 10 rounds super middleweight bout. The boys discuss.

News
Jaime Munguia tested positive for foreign testosterone in his system in a VADA test related to his May 3rd rematch win over Bruno Surace. What's going to happen now and does Surace get the no-contest ruling?
  
Dan has more on his reporting on the supposed Aug. 16 Teofimo Lopez-Devin Haney agreed to bout, but fight falling apart over Lopez’s tweet storm in which he insulted Turki Alashikh. WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!

Ryan Garcia undergoes right hand surgery, and the plans for Fall fight in limbo for now.

Top Rank July 26th card officially announced, Xander Zayas-Jorge Garcia for vacant WBO junior middleweight title & featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Mateus Heita for the vacant WBC interim title in the co-feature

Yudai Shigeoka, the former WBC strawweight titlist, posted to social media on Thursday to provide an update on older brother and former IBF strawweight titlist Ginjiro Shigeoka, including that he is breathing on his own.

Nostalgia
We encourage you to find our Youtube page for some thoughts on HOFer Johnny Tapia, a fan favorite, who died back on May 27, 2012 – 13 years ago on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, for all our podcat content keep it locked in on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

On this edition of the show, insider Dan Rafael is one on one with former IBF world super middleweight champ Caleb Plant.

Plant, who defends the WBA's "interim super middleweight title" against Armando Resendiz in the main event of the PBC on Prime Video card on May 31 in Las Vegas, is looking to set up a fight later in the year against Jermall Charlo. Charlo is returning from a long layoff in the co-feature.

They covered a variety of topics including, Caleb being in the ring with Canelo Alvarez in an undisputed 168 lb. title bout in 2022 and whether, he believes there could be a rematch down the line or not?

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

And, also SEE this interview on our Big Fight Weekend Youtube page!

Sunday night we did a LIVE Youtube version of our "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" on our Big Fight Weekend page. Here's the rundown for the podcast audience.

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael give the breakdown on:

Queensberry DAZN card Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland

Welterweight Ekow Essuman W12 Josh Taylor
Heavyweight Moses Itauma KO2 Mike Balogun


Kameda Promotions card Saturday in Osaka, Japan
Featherweight Angelo Leo W12 Tomoki Kameda, retains IBF featherweight title
Strawweight Pedro Taduran W12 Ginjiro Shigeoka, rematch, retains the IBF title
 
Friday Zanfer main event in Zacatecas, Mexico
Junior bantamweight Willibaldo Garcia W12 split Rene Calixto, rematch, wins vacant IBF title
 
News
Tyson Fury posts video from Como, Italy, over weekend saying he is indeed retired for good and not coming back. The guys don't believe him.
 
Canelo Alvarez says in a media scrum at a golf tournament when that Crawford fight WILL be in Vegas. Provides no more details.  

NostalgiaMay 25, 1965 – 60 years ago Sunday – Muhammad Ali KO1 Sonny Liston to retain the heavyweight title in an immediate rematch. Lots of discussion and good video on the Youtube show.

Thanks for finding this edition on the Big Fight Weekend podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's another lighter weekend of action, although there is a prominent world title on the line in the Far East. We go over the matchups and have plenty of news, including Manny Pacquiao confirming his return and more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to go over it all on this edition.

They start with the preview of the Queensberry DAZN card Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland
Former undisputed 140 lb. champ Josh Taylor is back meeting a little known fighter in Ekow Essuman, in a welterweight clash. Does Taylor have anything left?

Also, promising heavyweight Moses Itauma is on this card against little known Mike Balogun and it should be a big night for Itauma.
 
The boys also preview the Kameda Promotions / ProBox TV main event Saturday in Osaka, Japan
This sees the return of American Angelo Leo against Tomoki Kameda, for Leo’s IBF featherweight title in his first defense. Leo has big things in mind, but is going on the road in this one.
 
Next, here briefly from former IBF 168 lb. champ Caleb Plant with Dan

Plant defends WBA interim super middleweight title vs. Armando Resendiz in the PBC on Prime Video main event May 31 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
 
News 
Pacquiao is officially back, and announces July 19th Mario Barrios fight on social media. His training has opened with Freddie Roach at Wild Card boxing club in L.A.

Also, Dan is reporting that besides the bouts he's already reported that will be on the PPV (Fundora-Tszyu 2 and Pitbull-Fierro 2), the PPV will also include former 122 lb. and 126 lb. titlist  Brandon Figueroa vs. former title challenger Joey Gonzalez.

Former IBF junior welterweight titlist Liam Paro will face Jonathan Navarro in a 10-rounder contracted at 144 pounds in the main event of a No Limit Boxing card on June 25 in Cairns, Australia. Paro’s first fight since losing the IBF 140 title to Richardson Hitchins in December.

And, we talk more about the death of all-time great Nino Benvenuti at 87 earlier this week.. The Italian legend was 1960 Olympic gold medalist, undisputed junior middleweight champion, two-time undisputed middleweight champion and was 2-1 in one boxing’s most famed trilogies against Emile Griffith all for the undisputed 160 title. Some knowledge for the younger fans!

Nostalgia 

May 22, 2010 – 15 years go on Thursday – the unfortunate fourth fight between featherweights Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez, who predictably got destroyed via KO3 in his final fight. and....

May 22, 1993 – 32 years ago on Thursday – Roy Jones easy wiped out Bernard Hopkins in 12 rounds to win the vacant IBF middleweight title for his first world title in the co-feature of Riddick Bowe’s easy KO2 in a mismatch with Jesse Ferguson to retain the heavyweight title. 

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

It was a lighter weeeknd of non-title action but we still have a couple of main eventst to go over and some interesting fight news are also part of the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back with their takes.

They recap the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event in London
Heavyweight Dave Allen demolishes Johnny Fisher in the fifth in their rematch. It's a devastating loss for Fisher to try to stay relevant and move up.
 
Next they recap the 360 Promotions/UFC Fight Pass main event in Commerce, Calif.
Junior middleweight Serhii Bohachuk easily decisioned Mykel Fox over 10 rounds in a workman effort to stay in shape for a future 154 lb. title shot.
 
Some News

Matchroom announces Jack Catterall is moving up to welterweight and will face British countryman Harlem Eubank on July 5 (DAZN) at AO Arena in Manchster, a home fight for Catterall. And, they  announce that the Hitchins-Kambosos lightweight title undercard for June 14th with most notably lightweight Andy Cruz vs. Hironori Mishiro in an IBF title eliminator in the co-feature.

Next, Turki Alashikh announces on social media in Sunday: “We have confirmed the promoter for Canelo v Crawford will be Sela for Riyadh Season. The broadcaster we have not decided yet but the date will be Saturday 13th September. More details soon.” The guys discuss whether the bout will also remain in Vegas?

During the media scrum at the Jake Paul-Chavez Jr. presser a few days ago, Jake said there is work going on "behind the scenes" for he and Tank Davis to still do an exhibition in November. T.J. in specfic again points out the silliness

Plus Golden Boy fights: Talks for Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi lightweight fight on Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. PPV fall apart over money so now, per Dan's sources and Golden Boy looking to do Schofield-Tevin Farmer on the June 28th show. 

Also they're looking to reschedule Kenneth Sims Jr.-Oscar Duarte  junior welterweight contender fight for August 2nd in Chicago, Sims’ hometown.

Nostalgia

For full insight and analysis go to the VIDEO on the Big Fight Weekend Youtube Page!

May 19, 1990- 35 years ago Monday -- Hall of famers Pernell Whitaker and Azumah Nelson met for the unified lightweight title in Las Vegas.

May 18, 2002 – 23 years ago Sunday – iconic Gatti-Ward I. We can't get enough

Happy Birthday Sugar Ray Leonard, as the legend turned 69 this weekend!

Enjoy our "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Although it's a lighter weekend of action, there are a couple of solid contender main events and we've aslo got some interesting fight news and more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to go over it all.


They begin with the preview of the Matchroom/DAZN main event Saturday in London
Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen, rematch in a 10 round heavyweight battle. Will Fisher step up this time and decisively win over the veteran Allen?
 
Also, they preview the 360 Promotions/UFC Fight Pass main event in Commerce, Calif.
Contender Serhii Bohachuk meets. Mykel Fox, who's stepping up to junior middleweight in the main event. Bohachuk wants to get in the 154 lb. title picture with a big win. Can the crafty, southpaw Fox create problems?
 
News
 
Wait, the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford mega-fight, announced for September 12th for  Las Vegas isn't going to be on that date and maybe, not in Vegas?? Dan isn't so sure. The guys go over it.

Also, the presser on Thursday in NYC for Turki Alashikh's July 12 Ring mag / DAZN PPV that will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium tennis stadium in Queens, NY. Plenty of talk between Shakur Stevenson and top contender William Zepeda along with Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz at the presser.  And, Turki tells Dan he is unsure, if he will proceed with Garcia-Haney 2 right away and may look to get Garcia another fight first. 

Next, the California commission says Charli Suarez has appealed the technical decision loss to Emanuel Navarrete last Saturday night and the hearing is on agenda for June 2 commission meeting. Meanwhile, Bob Arum tells me he would like to do the immediate rematch in October in Manila to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila, Ali-Fraizer 3, which he also promoted  

Top Rank/Golden Boy/Zanfer made deal, avoid purse bid for vacant WBO junior middleweight title bout between Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia. Dan's reporting is it is likely going to be July 26 at TBA. And, this would be on final Top Rank/ESPN card as their contract expires July 31. 


Hall of Famer Holly Holm has signed with MVP and is coming back to boxing for first time since 2013 (she went UFC and became a champion) to fight Yolanda Vega, who also signed with MVP, on Jake Paul-Chavez PPV on June 28.  

Nostalgia

May 14, 2005 — 20 years ago on Wednesday – Winky Wright W12 Felix Trinidad domination. Big Dan was ringside and

May 15, 2044 -- 21 years ago Thursday – in the light heavyweight title rematch Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver KO2 Roy Jones in gargantuan shocker. 

WATCH these famous fight recaps on our BFW Youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@bigfightweekend9132

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Some controversy in San Diego, another big showing for Anthony Cacace in the U.K. and a tremendous under the radar Japanese title fight Sunday were all part of the weekend for us to go over on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack to talk it all.

They Recap the Top Rank / ESPN show Saturday in San Diego
Emanuel Navarrete wins a Tech Decision over Charly Suarez and retains the WBO junior lightweight title. But, was it a punch or a butt that caused the Navarrete cut that stopped the fight. And, will this verdict be overturned by the California commission now? The boys go in detail about it and their opinions on what should be done?

In the co-feature, Raymond Muratalla decisioned Zaur Abdullaev and wins vacant IBF interim lightweight title. What's next... Loma??
 
Then, a recap from the Queensberry DAZN main event Saturday in Nottingham, England
Anthony Cacace again gets an impressive with a TKO9 over hometown fave Leigh Wood. Third staight significant win for Cacace and was it the end for the popular Wood?

A brief recap of the ProBox main event Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla. as Erickson Lubin TKO11 against Ardreal Holmes in an IBF junior middleweight eliminator. Not a thrilling fight, but Lubin helps himself with the win. 

Finally, the boys recap the main event in Tokyo on Sunday morning USA time, as Fernando  "Puma" Martinez wins another action packed decision with Kazuto Ioka in their rematch. And, Martinez, who got off the canvas late, retains WBA junior bantamweight title.
 
Then, some News
Dan is reporting on plans in works for Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez to return this Summer ahead of a probable junior bantamweight title shot. Chocolatito is No. 1 in the WBO, WBC and WBA rankings.

And, if the Pacquiao-Barrios happens for July 19. It will have not only the Fundora-Tszyu 2 junior middleweight rematch, but also a possible for undercard so is Pitbull Cruz vs. Angel Fierro 2, as well.

Nostalgia (Go to our BFW Youtube page for:

May 12, 2001 – 24 years ago on Monday – Felix Trinidad TKO5 William Joppy to win the WBA middleweight title in the Don King’s and HBO’s middleweight tournament semis. Dan was ringside for top 2-3 atmospheres he's ever been in. MSG was on fire inside and outside that night. Incredible memories!

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We get ready for a wekkend with action all over the globe- from San Diego, CA to Nottingham, England and then, back over to Tokyo, Japan and we're ready to go over it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael for their takes and insight.

They begin with the preview of the Top Rank ESPN card Saturday in San Diego
Mexican star Emanuel Navarrete returns against unbeaten but largely unknown Charly Suarez for Navarrete’s WBO junior lightweight title and in the co-feature unbeaten Raymond Muratalla takes on Zaur Abdullaev for the vacant IBF interim lightweight title. The boys discuss both.

Earlier Saturday, U.S. time, the Queensberry DAZN main event from Nottingham, England sees Anthony Cacace battle Leigh Wood in a junior lightweight showdown of popular prominent fighters in the U.K. 

There's a brief preview of the ProBox TV card Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.  as Erickson Lubin returns with Ardreal Holmes in an IBF junior middleweight eliminator  

And, much more interesting a preview of the Sunday fight in Tokyo (Sunday a.m. in U.S.) with Fernando "Puma" Martinez rematching Kazuto Ioka, for Martinez’s WBA junior bantamweight title. Get all the takes and opinions on these matchups.
 
Then, some News
Dan has more on the likely July 19th return of now 46 year old Manny Pacquiao to meet WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios. #WhatAreWeDoingHere

Dan is further reporting that Canelo-Crawford likely will be on Netflix - not PPV for Friday night Sept. 12th and explains more about it.

And, they talk briefly on the announcement that Claressa Shields will defend the women’s undisputed heavyweight title vs. IBF light heavy titlist Lani Daniels on July 26 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on DAZN

Nostalgia
May 8, 2004 – 21 years ago on Thursday – Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez battle to a draw in the first fight of their epic four-fight series. Was for Marquez’s IBF and Manny’s lineal featherweight titles and Dan was there in Las Vegas.

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

Also, if you did not WATCH it. Go see our great recap of Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo I from 20 years ago in Vegas on our Youtube page on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7k-7TbU0Jo

It was a CRAZY weekend of fights that thankfully saved the best for last as "The Monster" Naoya Inoue had to get off the canvas himself to rally and score a Sunday night KO. We are ready to go over his win and the upset of Ryan Garcia and a lackluster Canelo performance in Saudi Arabia on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap podcast!

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to go over it all.

They start with Inoue's dramatics in Las Vegas defeating little known Ramon Cardenas to retain the four undisputed 122 lb. belts. WOW. What a fight and it saved a lackluster weekend. Dan and T.J. have thoughts on that and the Rafael Espinoza title win at featherweight in the co-feature.

Then, they back up to recap Friday’s Ring / Times Square DAZN PPV

Rolando Romero upsets Ryan Garcia by decision and wins his biggest fight to date. What happened to Garcia?

And while Devin Haney won in 12 over Jose Ramirez, he looked shaky too. Now, he's still supposed to fight Garcia in a arematch next??

Meantime, Teofimo Lopez looked solid and beat Arnold Barboza, to keep his lineal/WBO 140 lb title

Then to Saturday’s Riyadh Season DAZN PPV in Saudi Arabia, as Canelo Alvarez beat William Scull and again, becomes undisputed at 168 lb. But, this was far from a great performance with Scull running all fight long. Concerns from Dan on Canelo?

The guys discuss Canelo-Crawford announced for Sept.12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. And go over the undercard with Badou Jack and Jaime Munguia winning. However a disgusting draw for heavyweight Efe Ajagba in a fight he clearly won with Martin Bakole.

We have News:

Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia says he will have elbow surgery and will be sidelined 6-8 weeks. Fury fight now significantly delayed. 

And, as expected, the WBO stripped Sebastian Fundora of its junior middleweight world title on Thursday for failing to comply with its order of a mandatory defense against Xander Zayas. What's next for Zayas?

Nostalgia

May 5, 2007 – 18 years ago on Monday – Mayweather W12 Oscar biggest money fight in history to that point. Rafael ringside. We have taped it.  

May 7, 2005 – 20 years ago Wednesday – greatest fight ever Corrales TKO10 Castillo to unify lightweight titles. Rafael ringside. 

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