We are ready to go with one of the biggest PPV cards of 2025 already in just the second month of the year, as the Riyadh Season PPV takes place Satruday afternoon. And, we go over the massive bout sheet and have an interview with the man battling Tank Davis, as well. It's all on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return with their thoughts.

First, the breaking news all week that there are new opponents for Joseph Parker and Shakur Stevenson, as both Floyd Schofield and Daniel Dubois are ill and could not compete. Dan goes over the craziness and how little known Josh Padley will now fight Shakur. However, hard hitting heavyweight Martin Bakole is in front of Parker, as part of the PPV. 

We then continue the Previews coming Saturday via DAZN PPV and PPV.COM:

Headling are Artur Beterbiev and. Dmitry Bivol in a rematch for Beterbiev’s undisputed light heavyweight title. It was a very close decision win for Beterbiev just four months ago. Will this be different for his countryman Bivol? 

Then, the guys breakdown the WBC lightweight title Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title. This has great potential as it could have fireworks early. 

Next, unbeaten hard hitting Texan Vergil Ortiz Jr. takes Israil Madrimov, for Ortiz’s WBC interim junior middleweight title. Dan explains why this could be THE fight of the undercard. 

Also, heavyweights Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel will tangle for vacant WBC interim heavyweight title. Will Kabayel solve the Chinese veteran's size and big left hand? And, Brits Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith meet for Buatsi’s WBO interim light heavyweight title, too. It's a tremndous show on papter.

Then, hear from Lamont Roach who challenges WBA lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis on March 1 in the PBC on Prime PPV main event in Brooklyn. He talks with Dan about the challenge and the biggest moment of his career.

Finally, we have Nostalgia:

Feb. 20, 1993 – 32 years ago on Thusday – Julio Cesar Chavez Kayoed Greg Haugen in five rounds to retain the WBC junior welterweight title before the all-time biggest boxing crowd of 132,247 at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in the headliner of a the “Grand Slam of Boxing” PPV. An amazing crowd and night in Chavez's prime.

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

Coming up on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand's Joseph Parker goes for a portion of the heavyweight crown, when he squares off with England's Daniel Dubois for the IBF title. And, before the battle in the Middle East, hear from Parker with our Dan Rafael on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

The 33 year old Parker has won the two biggest fights of his career, back to back, as he defeated former WBC champ Deontay Wilder and then, massive Chinese star Zhelei Zhang in March of last year. Now, he enters the ring looking for an even bigger upset against the hard punching Dubois. Dubois is off the win of his career, himself, as he destroyed former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Johsua back in September in his last bout.

Hear Parker discuss being the underdog, yet again and more on this edition of the show. It's the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify!

Coming up Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the massive PPV, former WBA light heavyweight champ will look to get his belt and acquire the other three in an undisputed title rematch with his fellow Russian Artur Beterbiev. And, here you get a chance to hear from Bivol about what he intends to do differently, as he spoke with our insider Dan Rafael on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

If Bivol gets the win, then his options open wide to potentially fight American David Benavidez, rematch Canelo Alvarez potentially down the road and there could also be a third fight with Bivol, as well. 

Hear from Bivol with us on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was a fight filled weekend with a world title win for Keyshawn Davis, a dramatic decision win for Arnold Barboza in England and in the same division a KO for Oscar Duarte in California, too. And, we're ready to recap it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

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

They start with the Friday Top Rank/ESPN card in NYC as Davis kayoed Denys Berinchyk to win the WBO lightweight title. Davis has massive upside. In the co-feature junior middleweight rising star Xander Zayas stopped Slawa Spomer of Germany in arguably his biggest win to date. Dan also recaps the rest of the card with:  Vito Mielnicki, Abdullah Mason Rohan Polanco and even, Jared Anderson back but not looking good.
 
Then, the Saturday Matchroom/DAZN card in Manchester, England
Junior welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. scores a mlild upset over fan favorite Jack Catterall, wins vacant WBO 140 lb. interim title. Big win for Barboza.
 
And, the Saturday Golden Boy/DAZN card in Anaheim, California
Junior welterweight Oscar Duarte punished and stopped Miguel Madueno in their junior welterweight main event. Could Duarte possibly fight...Barboza?

Some News

Friday night Top Rank announced interesting heavyweight main event for April 5 at Palms in Las Vegas: Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Guido Vianello. Co-feature wasn’t formally announced but Top Rank told Dan it’s junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado vs. Elvis Rodriguez. The guys break it down.

Golden Boy announced WBC interim lightweight titlist William Zepeda will make his first defense in an immediate rematch with Tevin Farmer on March 29 in Cancun, Mexico. It's a very intriguing rematch.

Also Sportico, an online publication that covers sports business, put out its fourth annual “100 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World” for the calendar year 2024. Six boxers in the top 100 (purses plus endorsements). Tyson Fury was No. 3 ($147 million) for example. The guys talk $$$. 

Shout out to British top trainer Joe Gallagher, who announced he has been diagnosed with stage four bowel and liver cancer. Ring magazine trainer of the year in 2015. Has worked with lots of top Brits. We wish him well.
 
And, announced the IBF junior middleweight final eliminator between Erickson Lubin and Ardreal Holmes Jr. set for May 10 (ProBox TV) at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida 

Finally, Nostalgia
Feb. 19, 2000 – 25 years ago on Wednesday – Erik Morales decisions Marco Antonio Barrera in the first fight of their all-time legendary trilogy. WBC/WBO junior featherweight unification fight. Tremendous battle as the guys go over and... it was only the beginning!


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

It's a jammed packed edition of the show, as a lightweight world title fight happens in NYC, a top 140 lb. contender battle takes place in Manchester, England and former world title holder at light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol joins us on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

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

First it's the previews, as Friday night in the Top Rank/ESPN card in New York Denys Berinchyk takes on unbeaten American star Keyshawn Davis for Berinchyk’s WBO lightweight title. Is it Keyshawn's time? In the co-feature Xander Zayas meets veteran Slawa Spomer in a 10 round  junior middleweight battle.

The rest of the undercard has the likes of: Vito Mielnicki Jr., Abdullah Mason Rohan Polanco and the return of Jared Anderson, too. Dan goes over those fights.
 
Next on Saturday it's the Matchroom/DAZN card in Manchester, England with

Jack Catterall meeting Arnold Barboza Jr. for 12 rounds and ther vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title. Winner may get Teofimo Lopez or become the full champ themselves, later.
 
And, also Saturday in the Golden Boy/DAZN main event in Anaheim, Calif.
veteran Oscar Duarte against fellow vet Miguel Madueno in the junior welterweight main event.
 
Then, Dan with Dmitry Bivol with his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev coming on Feb. 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. What will be different this time in this Russian vs. Russian battle?
 
Next some News:
Super middleweights Bruno Surace and Jaime Munguia rematch will take place May 3rd in Riyadh on the Canelo-William Scull undercard, as was announced by Riyadh Season.

Also, Raymond Muratalla and Zaur Abdullaev will fight for the vacant IBF interim lightweight title in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card on May 10 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego,

And, super middleweight Edgar Berlanga returns March 15 for first fight since loss to Canelo. He will face Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz on the Ammo Williams undercard. And, PBC announces non-PPV card for March 22 at Mandalay Bay: Sebastian Fundora defends his WBC/WBO junior middleweight titles for the first time in main event vs. Chordale Booker. Also: junior middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. against Kevin Salgado in the co-feature and middleweight Elijah Garcia versus Terrell Gausha in the opener.

Nostalgia

Muhammad Ali’s fight-worn trunks from the “Thrilla in Manila” sold for $1.2 million this past weekend at a Sotheby’s auction.

And February 13, 1999 – 26 years ago Thursday – Oscar De La Hoya decisioned Ike Quartey to retain the WBC welterweight title in a memorable, wild final round in their big time PPV fight in Las Vegas. We go over it.

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

Coming up Friday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater in NYC, unbeaten lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis goes for his first world title in the main event. But, before he battles Denys Berinchyk for the WBO world title, the entertaining Davis spoke to our Dan Rafael on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

Keyshawn is looking forward to taking the next big step in his boxing career after having won the silver medal in the 2021 delayed Tokyo Summer games. What are his thougts on the opponent and his short term future?

And, might this include Davis hoping to rematch his amateur nemisis Andy Cruz of Cuba in a professional title fight?

He's one of the rising stars in the sport and you'll hear from him before Friday night's title bout on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure tor all the great content that you are subscribed to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Off a light weekend in the ring, we recap the biggest main event in the world (from England), we hear from a prominent heavyweight contender and have the latest on Canelo's new deal with the Saudis all 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 everything.

First, they recap Saturday’s Queensberry main event from Manchester, England, as Derek Chisora got his decisioned Otto Wallin to become the IBF No. 2 contender. Should Chisora keep fighting on? The boys discuss.

Then, hear from Joseph Parker with Dan, who challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on Feb. 22 in the Beterbiev-Bivol 2 co-feature. Parker has some important wins lately and has a shot to win a portion of the crown.

Then, the news:

Canelo Alvarez's deal with Riyadh Season for four fights, beginning May 3 in Saudi Arabia against new IBF 168 lb. champ William Scull for the undisputed title. What about the Jake Paul fallout? And, is it confirmed that Terence Crawford will be in September?

Dan has preliminary numbers that the Benavidez-Morrell PPV did between 150k-160k buys. What does it mean in the current boxing financial landscape?

Dan is also reporting that at a Queensberry presser on Monday in Manchester they’ll announce Joe Joyce vs Dillian Whyte for April as the main event of their first show on their new DAZN deal. Heavyweight fight between former bridgerweight and cruiserweight titlist Lawrence Okolie & former cruiserweight title challenger Richard Riakporhe, who is moving up, is the co-feature.  

Nostalgia
Feb. 9, 1991 – 34 years ago on Sunday – Terry Norris defeated the great Sugar Ray Leonard easily over 12 rounds to retain the WBC junior middleweight title, as Leonard comes out of retirement for his only Showtime and MSG appearance. Norris gave him a beating in the one-sided decision loss in the 2nd-to-last fight of Sugar Ray's career.  

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

We're ready for the second weekend in February with a heayweight main event in England, plus, star lightweight Keyshawn Davis joins us on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview."

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

First, the preview Saturday's Queensberry main event from Manchester, England, as
Derek "War" Chisora takes on Otto Wallin in an IBF heavyweight eliminator for the  No. 2 position. Both are vets with Chisora being a British fan favorite and we'll see if some good action comes of it?


Then, Dan talks with Keyshawn Davis, who hedlines the Feb. 14 Top Rank ESPN card at Theater at MSG and he challenges Denys Berinchyk for his WBO lightweight title. Hear Keyshawn's mindset headed into his first world title shot and his goals should he be victorious this weekend.
 
Next in the News:
Dan has done his own reporting on Canelo-Jake Paul now in talks for spring & has the update on why Canelo- Terence Crawford fight won't be happening for now.

We talk more on Ryan Garcia – who is back with Eddy Reynoso training and disgustingly for Dan, his fight with Rolly Romero slated for May 2 will be for the WBA “regular” welterweight tite? WHAT. ARE. WE. DOING. HERE?!

Also, Janibek Alimkhanuly will defend his WBO/IBF middleweight title against Anauel Ngamissengue in a homecoming bout on April 5 (ESPN+) in Astana, Kazakhstan. Dan has more.


Finally, some nostalgia
Feb. 5, 2005 — 20 years ago on Wednesday – Zab Judah went to Cory Spinks’ hometown of St. Louis, MO and the 20K sold out downtown arena. And, Judah KO’d him to avenge his loss and win the undisputed welterweight title.

Plus we say Happy Birthday from Feb.4 to legend Oscar De La Hoya, as he turned 52. We give a little Golden Boy appreciation!

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

We come off a weekend PPV in Las Vegas where Dan Rafael was ringside and we're ready to recap that card, plus Adam Azim's win in England and more on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast"

Host T.J. Rives returns with Dan, who was literally less than an hour off the plane from Vegas back to his home in Virginia to give us the insigh on the PBC on Prime Video PPV. It saw David Benavidez decision David Morrell,in the main event to keep his WBC interim and win the WBA “regular” 175 lb. titles. What were Dan's impressions in the arena and what about the controversial 11th round, where Morrell hit Benavidez clearly after the bell? Also, did Benavidez solidify himself and a world title contender at light heavyweight?

They also go over the Stephen Fulton rematch win over Brandon Figueroa this time to win the WBC featherweight title. Quick preview: Dan wasn't overly impressive with this bout!

However, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Angel Fierro slugged it out for 10 rounds and that was a highly entertaining 140 lb. battle that Dan believes belongs in the convo later for "fight of the year."

He finishes going over the res of the PPV  undercard with:

Jesus Ramos TKO8 Jeison Rosario, 160 lb.

Prime Video Prelims

Mirco Cuello TKO10 Christian Olivo, WBA featherweight eliminator 
Yoenli Hernandez TKO5 Angel Ruiz, middleweights
160 Curmel Moton TKO3 Frank Zalvidar, 135  lb. battle.

The boys then recap the Saturday Boxxer main event in London, as rising 140 lb. star Adam Azim wiped out Sergey Lipinets in a TKO. What's his future off this win over the veteran? 

Next, some brief news

Ryan Garcia has enrolled in VADA, a key block to finalizing the interim fight and rematch with Devin Haney appears to also clear up.

And, Anthony Cacace vacated his IBF junior lightweight title on Friday, electing to not face mandatory challenger Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez.  Dan explains what's behind that move.

Finally, Nostaglia

Feb. 2, 2002 – 23 years ago today Sunday – Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins split site doubleheader trying to set up their showdown that didn’t happen in that time frame. Roy with the KO of the year vs Glenn Kelly in his undisputed light heavy defense in Miami and BHop TKO-ed Carl Daniels to retain undisputed middleweight title in Pennsylvania, where Dan was ringside.

Get it all on the Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's a big weekend in Las Vegas as two unbeaten rising fighers square off in a PPV main event and we're ready to preview the entire fight card and more 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, who is live in Vegas.

It's "PBC on Prime Video" (and PPV.COM) card, as light heavyweigts David Benavidez and David Morrell meet for Benavidez’s WBC interim and Morrell’s WBA “regular” titles Bigger is the winner is likely inline for the for a shot at the Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch.

In the co-feature featherweights Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton rematch for Figueroa’s WBC title Junior welterweight. It was a tremendous fight three years ago and will it repeat here? 

Also on the card, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Angel Fierro meet in a 10 round showdown. And middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. takes on former world champ Jeison Rosario, too.

We also give you more on how to see the fight through PPV.com with a special interview.
 
The boys also preview Saturday Boxxer card on Peackock (and Sky Sports) from London
Adam Azim battles veteran Sergey Lipinets ina 12 rounds junior welterweight main event.
 
And, they review Sunday Salita Promotions card on DAZN in Flint, Michigan.
Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins will fight for Shields’ WBC and, also vacant WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight titles. The guys are dubious of the charade that this is an actual undisputed world title bout.
 
Then, some news:

With the death of legendary boxing writer (and one of Dan's mentors) Michael Katz, who died this week at age 85, Dan reminisces about Katz with stories.

Top Rank announces March 29th ESPN card at Fountainbleu Las Vegas: Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan, rematch, for Mayer’s WBO women’s welterweight title; Brian Norman vs. Derrieck Cuevas, for Norman’s WBO welterweight title; Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Jose Enrique Vivas, WBC  featherweight eliminator. Dan has more.

The WBO ruled junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez must next make his mandatory title defense against the Jack Catterall-Arnold Barboza interim title bout winner within 180 days after their Feb. 15 bout.Will Teofimo follow through, however?

The announcement of an intriguing WBC flyweight titlle bout as Kenshiro Teraji and the WBA titlist Seigo Yuri Akui meet in all-Japanese unification bout March 13 in Tokyo.

And, there are pllans in the works for WBC interim lightweight titlist William Zepeda to face Tevin Farmer in an immediate rematch of Zeepda’s split decision in November on the “Latino Night” card in Riyadh. Golden Boy told big Dan if it gets done would be March 29 in Cancun, Mexico.

Finally some Nostalgia
Jan. 29, 1994 – 31 years ago on Wednesday – Frankie "the Surgeon" Randall drops Julio Cesar Chavez (89-0-1 at time) for 1st time & handed him his 1st ever loss to take WBC junior welterweight title by split decision in the main event of the first card ever at MGM Grand. Billed as "The Grand Slam of Boxing" Don King card- it had "Tito" Trinidad decsion "Macho" Camacho for the world weltereight title. The card also had Simon Brown W12  over Troy Waters for the WBC 154 lb. belt. And legen Tommy Heans destroyed Dan Ward in a cruiserweight bout.

The guys talk about the history and how Chavez's 89-0-1 record won't be replicated- probably ever

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