Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

We are back with a jammed packed weekend of action in London and Las Vegas, plus a world champ joins us in advance of his unficiation showdown later in the month. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" podcast!

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter with all the info and takes.

First, a preview of Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN PPV fight in London
Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley, rematch, 12 rounds, for Dubois’ WBO heavyweight title. It was fantastic dramatic fight in May. Will the rematch live up to fight one or will Dubois dominate like he did in the back half of the first bout?
 
Next, they preview Saturday night PBC DAZN/TNT/truTV “The Fight” in Las Vegas
Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj, for Fundora’s WBC junior middleweight title. The dominant guy at 154 lb. is back and will he get much of a challenge?
 
In the co-feature, Brandon Figueroa vs. Tomoki Kameda, for Figueroa’s WBA featherweight title. Will Figueroa deliver a big win and set himself up at 126 lb.?
 
And, a solid undercard bout Armando Resendiz vs. Koen Mazoudier, super middleweights is discussed.
 
Next O'Shaquie Foster joins Dan, as he faces Emanuel Navarrete in a three-belt junior lightweight unification fight in the Top Rank main event on Oct. 25 on DAZN in San Antonio.
 
News
WBA middleweight titlist Erisandy Lara will defend against Tim Tszyu in Noveber in Australia. Will be a PBC/DAZN fight in the US. Dan's reporting is the bout will be Nov. 27 or 28. 

An update that two prominent worldwide sporting events have now been postponed in Saudi Arabia. So, what will happen shortly with Canelo Alvarez fighting Christian Mbilli on Ocober 31st? Will it go ahead or perhaps be called off this weekend?
 
Next, Zuffa Boxing announced Tuesday it has signed WBC titlist Carlos Adames, adding to their middleweight roster (WBO titlist Denzel Bentley and IBF titlist Aaron McKenna are also there. We update when Adames might be in the ring?
 
WBO flyweight titlist Anthony Olascuaga, who has long been promoted by Japan’s Teiken Promotions, has signed a multi-fight co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and will against two-time Colombian Olympian Yuberjen Martinez Nov. 14 on the Pacheco-Fukghum co-feature in Carson, Calif. – a home fight LA’s Olascuaga
 
Former WBA middleweight champion Jorge Castro (130-11-3, 90 KOs), who won he dramatic 1994 fight of the year and also split two fights with Roberto Duran, died on Wednesday in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 59. Dan has more on his incredible longevity career.
 
And, Happy 37th birthday to Anthony Joshua on Thursday and also birthday of John L. Sullivan 168 years ago!!!!

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

Saturday night in London, it's a highly anticipated heavyweight title rematch for Daniel Dubois as he battles Fabio Wardley for the WBO portion of the championship. But, before it all gets ramped up in the U,K., we've got an early preview of things here on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" mid-week.

Host T.J. Rives returns with lead writer/editor of Big Fight Weekend's website, Ricky Carroll, who's in England for this one.

It was a wild first fight in May, as Dubois got off the canvas, not once but twice, early in the bout and then brutally beat Wardley for 7 rounds or so, until a TKO stoppage in the 11th to recapture a world title belt.

Now, the guys discuss the magnitude of this rematch for the British fight fans and is the build up similar or bigger than last year with Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn and their tremendous first fight followed by their late in 2025 second bout?

Also, there is analysis from Ricky on whether Wardley can summon a different strategy/outcome or is he destined to be beaten up by the brutish Dubois, again?

Also, the winner of this bouts has serious unifications options with Filip Hrgovic and Agit Kabayel or dare we say, the winner of Fury/Joshua in December?

All of it's discussed in advance of Dubois-Wardley II here on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed for more this bout and all the action through Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was a big night for Floyd Schofield Saturday and we have lots of news to go over and more on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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


First, a recap of Saturday's Golden Boy DAZN card in Chicago
Lightweight Floyd Schofield defeats Lucas Bahdi by decision and wins vacant WBA title. Schofield realizes the dream of winning a world title and opens up some options down the road. 

In the co-feature, flyweight Sergio Mendoza TKO5 Ricardo Sandoval in an upset and wins the WBC/WBA titles. Plus, lightweight Jahmal Harvey KO3 Pedro Castaneda in another impressive win early in his career.
 
Also, a recap of the Thursday night Eye of the Tiger main event in Quebec City
Super middleweight young star Osleys Iglesias TKO7 Oliver Zaren and retains IBF title. Iglesias has a huge future.
 
News
To the backdrop of intensifying war in Saudi Arabia, where the Riyadh airport has been attacked multiple times this weekend with several deaths and hundreds injured in missile attacks, Turki Alalshikh has posted to social media on Sunday that Canelo reached out to him and told him he’ll still fight in Riyadh October 31 no matter what happens. We are now not so sure and have the latest.
 
There are advanced talks for Deontay Wilder-Jai Opetaia, as the possible  Fury-Joshua co-feature December 11th. Dan has more for Wilder's manager Shelly Finkel.
 
Next, David Benavidez vacates the WBC light heavyweight and WBA regular light heavyweight ahead of planned Dec 5 three-belt cruiser unification with WBC titlist Michal Cieslak. Along with this the WBC, as expected, announced that the Joshua Buatsi-Willy Hutchinson rematch on Nov. 7, initially for the vacant interim title, will be for the vacant WBC world title.
 
Also, planned for Benavidez-Cieslak co-feature: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Keith Thurman at middleweight. We have more.

Sadly, all-time great and 1995 Hall of Fame inductee Wilfredo Gomez, who won titles in three divisions and was one of the best punchers ever, died on Saturday night at age 69. Dan eulogizes him properly for his amazing career.
 
And, Jake Paul, who has been out of action since suffering a broken jaw in two places in a titanic knockout loss to former unified heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua in December is cleared to resume boxing. TJ specifically isn't that enthused that the "Jake Paul Boxing" hasn't run it's course. They debate.

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

He's one of the harder punching, action fighters in the smaller weight classes and newly crowned WBA Featherweight champ Brandon Figueroa is ready to defend coming October 17th in Las Vegas.

First, the two division world champ spends time with our insider Dan Rafael one on one before his battle with Japan's Tomoki Kameda in a 12-round co-main event of the PBC card to be shown on DAZN and TNT Sports.

Figueroa (27-2-1, 20 KOs) enters the fight following one of the finest performances of his career. In February, the 29-year-old traveled to the United Kingdom and stunned the hometown crowd by stopping Nick Ball in dramatic fashion in the 12th round.Figueroa had previously defeated Joet Gonzalez last July, rebounding from a decision loss to Stephen Fulton Jr. in their February rematch that cost him his WBC 126-pound title.

The Weslaco, Texas, native has built his reputation on relentless pressure, nonstop aggression and an all-action fighting style. In 2023, he captured the interim WBC featherweight title with a unanimous decision victory over former champion Mark Magsayo in a fight widely considered a potential Fight of the Year contender.

Figueroa also made history in May 2021 when he handed former two-division champion Luis Nery his first professional defeat, stopping him with a body shot in the seventh round to capture the WBC junior featherweight world title.Now trained by respected boxing coach Manny Robles, Figueroa continues to build on his family's championship legacy.

Across the ring will be a seasoned challenger with plenty of championship experience of his own. Kameda (42-5, 23 KOs), a native of Osaka, Japan, earned the nickname “El Mexicanito” after moving to Mexico as an amateur to sharpen his skills..The 35-year-old made his biggest impact on the American boxing scene in 2015, when he faced champion Jamie McDonnell in two high-profile, action-packed bouts.

Kameda pushed McDonnell in both contests but came up short on the scorecards each time.Kameda later challenged for two additional world titles and put together a five-fight winning streak before suffering a decision defeat to then-super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas.Most recently, Kameda took on featherweight world champion Angelo Leo in May 2025, losing a close decision after winning six of his previous seven fights.

Figueroa has big plans at featherweight, but he must get it done with the tough Japnese opponent first on October 17th. 

And, you are hearing him on our "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed. Make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

A Two Title Fight Card in Chicago to go over and also the WBA featherweight champ joins us, as part of the latest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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

First, they preview Saturday’s Golden Boy DAZN card in Chicago
Floyd Schofield vs. Lucas Bahdi, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA lightweight title. Both fighters can punch but neither has been active. We break it down.

In the co-feature Ricardo Sandoval vs. Sergio Mendoza, 12 rounds, for Sandoval’s WBC/WBA flyweight title. Mendoza replaces the WBO/IBF champ Oscar Collago who is injured, but will he challenge Sandoval?

And, on the undercard Jahmal Harvey vs. Pedro Castaneda, 8 rounds, lightweights and also, Jan Paul Rivera vs. Abraham Perfecto, 10 rounds, junior lightweights.
 
Then, it's Brandon Figueroa joining us, as he defends the WBA featherweight title for the first time against Tomoki Kameda on PBC’s DAZN card Oct. 17 show. He's in the co-feature of Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj headliner. Plus, he talks to Dan about the possible unification bouts at 126 lb., too.
 
Then, some news

Jermall Charlo, who has not fought for 17 months and been limited just two fights since 2021 due to legal, mental health and visa issues, will see his layoff extended yet again. He suffered an undisclosed training injury and is out of a super middleweight fight with Koen Mazoudier on PBC’s “The Fight” card Oct. 17. Now, former WBA super middleweight titlist Armando Resendiz, who was on standby and in training, will face Mazoudier.

The undercard for Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli on October 31st has been announced and wait, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?! with WBA super middleweight champ Jaime Munguia and who he wants to fight, instead of his mandatory challenger? Dan is ready to go off!
 
Also, to the surprise of probably nobody, heavyweight Derek Chisora, the British fan favorite, is ending a retirement from earlier this year. And, he is aiming for a December fight with WBA titlist Murat Gassiev. 
 
It's now official, former unified middleweight titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly and Jacob Bank have a deal for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.
 
And, per Dan's sources, Terms have been agreed to for a fight between welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. and Oscar Duarte, the junior welterweight contender, who will move up in weight for the bout that will headline a Golden Boy card on DAZN in January.

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

It was a lighter weekend of action but Ben Whittaker did what he was supposed to and we recap his win and have lots of fight news on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

First, a recap of Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN card in Birmingham, England
Light heavyweight Ben Whittaker W12 Conor Wallace, IBF final eliminator, but it got crazy for him late in the fight. Plus, Junior middleweight Odel Kamara TKO3 Thodoris Ritzakis in his pro debut. Dan likes what he saw.
 
Also, a recap of Friday night’s Matchroom/Boxlab main event in Orlando
Junior middleweight rising star Omari Jones TKO2 Alan Sanchez. Jones has huge upside right now.
 
Then, some news
More on Fury-Joshua and a new argument: Dana White says he is not only the promoter by UFC/Zuffa is producing the broadcast to which Eddie Hearn says no, that is also not allowed in their contract. They have gone back and forth in various videos. Supposedly, they will be part of a meeting in person this coming week in Los Angeles. There is some "sparring" with the boys over whether this subject is too tiresome?

Next, Lupe Valencia, Ryan Garcia’s manager, and Teofimo Lopez manager Keith Connolly met Saturday in San Diego to discuss the prospect of a possible Garcia-Lopez fight next? It seems easy to get this fight done.

Also, the International Boxing Hall of Fame ballots are out and Big Dan has updates on lots of new possible inductees to be voted on and what he thinks about some of them being on the ballot unjustifiably.
 
Next, former super middleweight titleholder Mikkel Kessler, 47, widely regarded as Denmark’s best-ever professional boxer, will end a 13-year retirement Nov. 28. What Are We Doing Here with Kessler?
 
The WBC has ordered lightweight titlist William Zepeda to next face interim titleholder and mandatory challenger Jadier Herrera. Herrera has been waiting for a full title shot at 135 lb.
 
And, Zuffa Boxing made official on Friday that it has signed WBO middleweight titlist Denzel Bentley, confirming Dan's reporting, and that he will fight Shane Mosley Jr. Nov. 7 on the Billiam Smith-Clarke undercard.
 
And, we close with some nostalgia
On Oct. 4, 1940 – 86 years ago on Sunday -- Sugar Ray Robinson , the all-time P4P No. 1, made his pro debut via 2nd-round TKO of Joe Echevarria. The guys discuss the greatness of one SRR and educate you on just how amazing his career was!

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

It's a light weekend of fights with one English main event of note, but we have lots of news, including Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua meet the media. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast"

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter to break it all down.

First, they preview Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN card in Birmingham, England
Unbeaten Englishman Ben Whittaker vs. Conor Wallace, 12 rounds, IBF light heavyweight eliminator. Whittaker is on the rise, but hasn't really fought anyone. We discuss this more. Plus, Odel Kamara (pro debut) meets Thodoris Ritzakis, 4 rounds, junior middleweights. He's got a big amateur background and this will begin his career.
 
Then, some news
Fury-Joshua held their presser on Wednesday in London. The guys go over:
-They discussed their long ago sparring session
-They seemed to like they liked each other
-No Dana White but Nick Khan there sitting next to Turki Alashikh in the front row.
-- And, the British Boxing Board of Control has revealed who the official promoters are and Zuffa isn’t one of them. It’s SELA, Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions.
 
FINALLY, Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli now officially has the date October 31,with the Saudi Arabia site, and  tickets formally announced this week. We have the latest

Per Dan's reporting, Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight contract with Zuffa Boxing and PLANS to vacate (he hasn’t yet) the WBO middleweight title. He will make his debut for the company vs. TBA Nov. 7 in London on Chris Billam-Smith- Chev Clarke card
 
Queensberry announces WBC heavyweight titlist Agit Kabayel will make first defense vs. Nelson Hysa (who pulled out, but they worked it out and he signed). Fight will be Nov. 28 in a DAZN headliner at Merkur Spiel-Arena, a stadium with a retractable roof that will seat around 60,000, in Dusseldorf, Germany. This is an interesting venue and Kabayel will have options if he wins.
 
Very interest, Turki Alashkh has sold controlling interest of The Ring magazine to DAZN. Alashikh is also having a rough time with his health as he admitted at the press conference Wednesday. So, does this indicate that the massive money from the Saudis is now starting to correct and lessen moving forward?
 
And, although there is still talk of legend Manny Pacquiao maybe returning on the Fury-Joshua card, it won’t be vs. Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson will fight some other time and there have been discussions between his team and PBC for a unification with WBA titlist Gary Antuanne Russell.

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

It's an exciting and at times, chaotic, time for British fight fans with the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua circus, etc. and we tackle it all on a new "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" 

Host T.J. Rives is back with English boxing writer and historian, David Payne, of his own site www.boxingwriter.co.uk.

The guys go all the way in on the silliness that the Fury-Joshua squabbling has produced. Will they have the planned Wednesday news conference for the proposed December 11th showdown at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales? Plus, how damaged are these guys now, as their world class championship days are clearly behind both? David has great perspective on all.

Next, the guys talk Conor Benn, off being demolished in less than two rounds by Ryan Garcia earlier this month. What will become of him in the short term? Does he really have a future at 154 or 160 lb., if a welterweight, who's barely been a welterweight, could kayo him like that? And, David talks the comparisons with his legendary, hall of fame father, Nigel Benn, too.

Finally, T.J. wants David's takes on the talented, but still not a true drawing, superstar, yet, Hamzah Sheeraz. The guys debate whether he's being very smart with his career or has mismanaged it by giving up his WBO super middleweight crown?

It's EXCELLENT perspective between the guys for what's going on with U,K. fights, fighters and storylines. 

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

It was a weekend of championship fights in Japan, some contender cards in England and more and we'll recap it all with some fight news, too 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 are ready to go over it all.

First, they recap the Teiken Boxing card Sunday in Toyko
Bantamweight Takuma Inoue W12 Tenshin Nasukawa 2, retains WBC banatamweight crown. Now, what's next?

In the co-feature, junior featherweight Sam Goodman W12 Ryosuke Nishida, wins vacant IBF interim 122 lb. title and also under the undercard:
Junior bantamweight Ricardo Malajika W12 split Tomoya Tsuboi, wins vacant WBC 115 lb. crown
Strawweight Ryusei Matsumoto W12 Russell Acosta, wins vacant WBO interim 105 lb. title.
 
Next, a recap of the Queensberry DAZN main event Saturday in Birmingham, England
Featherweight Liam Davies TKO7 Nathaniel Collins, retains European title. A big step for Davies towards toward title contention.
 
Also, a recap of Zuffa Boxing bouts on Saturday in London
Heavyweight Johnny Fisher W10 maj. vs. Michael Pirotton, heavys. Competitive fight but Fisher has gone about as far as he can. Also, light heavyweight Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic W10 Craig Richards. Big win for Hot Rod in this situation.
 
Also, another recap with the Friday night main event in Fuji City, Japan
Junior flyweight Thanongsak Simsri TKO2 Mark Vicelles, retains IBF title for the second time
 
And then a recap Friday night main event in Lowel, Indiana
40-year-old Phillip Triantafillo (now 5-3) W6 former two-time heavyweight titleholder Hasim Rahman, 53, who had been retired since 2014, at a VFW hall. This was PATHETIC with Rahman even being allowed to fight.
 
Then, to the NEWS
Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua already in jeopardy only a few days after it was officially announced due to Dana White's involvement. Can this be smoothed or is this the final straw that ends the bout now and Joshua, specifically takes another fight?
 
And, Zuffa Boxing announces Zuffa 12 main event on Nov.7 in London, former WBO cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith vs. British countryman Chev Clarke. Dan has more.

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

We finally have an official announcement for the biggest fight in British boxing history, plus we preview several fight cards, including a world title bout on Sunday in Japan. All 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 go over it all.

They start with BIG NEWS!!
Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua is on December 11th in Cardiff, Wales. Officially announced for Netflix workdwide. PLENTY to discuss here—Dana White is the promoter per press release, Dan has been in touch with Eddie Hearn, who says no way, he's not involved. We have that and more.

Then to the fights,
 
First, Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN main event in Birmingham, England (DAZN)
Liam Davies vs. Nathaniel Collins, 12 rounds, for Davies’ European featherweight title. The winner gets in the picture as a 126 lb. contender.
 
Also, Saturday’s Zuffa Boxing Paramount+/Sky Sports card in London
Johnny Fisher vs. Michael Pirotton, 10 rounds, heavyweights and 
Craig Richards vs. Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
 
Sunday’s Teiken Boxing DAZN card in Tokyo, Japan
Takuma Inoue vs. Tenshin Nasukawa, rematch, for Inoue’s WBC bantamweight title. The younger brother of "The Monster" is looking to make a bigger name on his own.

MORE NEWS
Strong probability that the Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli card scheduled for Oct. 31 in Riyadh will be postponed and moved to a new location because of the war in Iran. How long is the delay and where might it go?
 
Next, key WBA orders, including Teofimo Lopez-Jack Catterall and Jack Munguia-Bek Melikuziev mandatories and David Benavidez requested to decide his division of either crusierweight or light heavyweight. Will Lopez, Munguia and Benavidez care??
 
Terrific fight is off -- WBC/WBA flyweight titleholder Ricardo Sandoval defending against lineal and WBO/WBA strawweight champion Oscar Collazo, who would have moved up to weight classes but suffered a rib injury. Was to be co-feature Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi Golden Boy card Oct.10th. Now what will happen?
 
And, the WBC ordered middleweight titlist Carlos Adames vs. mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov after interim titlist Jesus Ramos fell out of the fight with Nursultunov last week. Winner mandated to fight Ramos next year. Will Adames go along?
 
Finally, with Hamzah Sheeraz vacating WBO super middleweight title they order mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. unbeaten Jacob Bank for vacant title.

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