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

And, make sure to be following/subscribed to our pod content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

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!

Go WATCH here:  https://www.youtube.com/@bigfightweekend9132/featured

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

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.!

A HUGE weekend of action to go over from NYC to Saudi Arabia and back to Las Vegas with massive names headlining and we'll go over it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are ready to mix it up and analze the rare three fight nights in a row to start the month of May

The begin with the preview of Friday Turki Alashikh/DAZN PPV in New York’s Times Square
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez, welterweights
Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza, for Lopez’s lineal/WBO junior welterweight title
 
Next, in order, a preview of the Saturday Riyadh Season / DAZN PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull, 12 rounds, WBC/WBO/WBA/IBF super middleweight unification
Badou Jack vs. Noel Mikaelian, 12 rounds, for Jack’s WBC cruiserweight title
Bruno Surace vs. Jaime Munguia, rematch, 12 rounds, super middleweights
Efe Ajagba vs. Martin Bakole, 10 rounds, heavyweights
 
And finally, another preview for the Sunday Top Rank/ ESPN card in Las Vegas
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas, 12 rounds, for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight title
Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez, 12 rounds, for Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title 

Then, some News:

Change of PBC summer plans: Out Tim Tszyu-Keith Thurman and Sebastian Funora-Xander Zayas, In Fundora-Tszyu rematch, as Fundora will vacate WBO title and Zayas will fight for the vacant title. Dan goes over why?

Former WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury posts social media video with SugarHill Steward that basically says he is ending his his retirement. We all knew that he was trying to fight Anthony Joshua this Summer all along.

Meanwhile, heavyweight Jarrell Miller is out of a Fabio Wardley fight with supposed shoulder injury, Queensberry finalizing paperwork with replacement Justis Huni of Australia per Dan's reporting.

And, Matchroom and DAZN make four events official: --

May 28 in Yokohama, Japan, Eduardo Nunez vs. Masanori Rikiihsi, for vacant IBF junior lightweight title

--May 30: Guadalajara, Mexico, Manuel Gallegos vs. Khalil Coe, rematch, light heavyweights

--June 14: New York, Richardson Hitchins vs. George Kambosos, for Hitchins’ IBF jr welterweight

--July 19: Frisco, Texas, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Phumelele Cafu, WBC/WBO junior bantamweight unification and Diego Pacheco vs. Trevor McCumby, super middleweights 

Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to get all of our pod content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify and find our video content on Youtube/Big Fight Weekend!

Canelo Alvarez gets set to make his 2025 ring debut in a new place for him, Saudi Arabia. And, before his super middleweight title fight, he's here to discuss why it's there and more with our insider Dan Rafael on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Canelo talks why he did the multi-fight deal with Turki Alashikh and the Saudi Entertainment Authority and will fight in the Middle East for the first time in Riyadh early Sunday a.m. there time. Alvarez will take on little known/newly crowned IBF 168 lb. champ William Scull in a bid to be the undisputed champ for the second time.

Hear the full conversation as part of this podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe for all the content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc!

We are ready to go with the recap of what may end up being the Fight of the Year for 2025, as Chris Eubank Jr. outslugged Conor Benn in their London main event Saturday night. Plus, you'll hear from one of the active legends of the sport, Canelo Alvarez as he readies to return to the ring this weekend in Saudi Arabia. It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns to break it down with insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter

They begin with Saturday’s DAZN PPV in London
as Eubank Jr. and Benn waged such a great battle that reminded of their father's two fights in the early 1990's. The guys go over it all and will we see it again later this Fall.
Also, the rest of the undercard is reviewed including:
Light heavyweight Anthony Yarde decisioning Lyndon Arthur in their third fight (Yarde now 2-1). What's next for Yarde?
Middleweight Aaron McKenna gets the best "named win" over his career yet by beating vetern Liam Smith by decision. And  Cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Chris Billam-Smith were also victorious.
 
Then, hear CANELO in his own words with Big Dan before he headlines on Saturday’s PPV vs. IBF 168 titlist William Scull for the undisputed title. Canelo has lot to detail about why he did the multi-fight deal with Turki Alishikh etc.
 
Next, some news
Sunday it was announced that Oleksandr Usyk will fight Daniel Dubois in a rematch for undisputed heavyweight title as deal is done for July 19 at Wembley Stadium. We have the latest. And, Top Rank announces WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman Jr. is in fact headed to Japan to make his second defense vs. Jin Sasaki on June 19 (ESPN+ in the U.S) at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Nostalgia -- for more on:
April 29, 2017 – 8 years ago on Tuesday – Anthony Joshua TKO11 Wladimir Klitschko to retain IBF and win vacant WBA heavyweight title at Wembley with Dan at ringside for that awesome scene.

April 29, 2000 – 25 years ago on Tuesday – Lennox Lewis KO2 Michael Grant to retain the linea/WBC/IBF heavyweight title. Dan's ringside for first ever live fight coverage as the USA Today fulltime national writer.

Go watch those nostalgia videos on our Big Fight Weekend youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@bigfightweekend9132/featured

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

We are ready for a classic, British "grudge match" that is over two years in the making, as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

They start with a preview of Saturday’s Turki Alahiikh/DAZN card in London

Rivals Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr., finally meet after an over two year delay due to Benn failing a PED test prior to their 2022 bout. Will we see fireworks like the elder Eubank battling the elder Benn in the early 1990s?? The guys discuss.

It's a solid undercard with veteran Liam Smith meeting unbeaten but untested Aaron McKenna in a  middleweight showdown.

Also, Anthony Yarde takes on Lyndon Arthur in their third fight, as the light heavyweights have split their two meetings. The winner stays relevant in the contender picture, too.

Alos, former WBO cruiser weight champ Chris Billam-Smith is back on this show.

Then, some News

Dan is reporting on Tank Davis-Lamont Roach 2, which was penciled in for June 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will still take place but will move into July or August. 

Also, Dan has learned that Top Rank and PBC have an agreement to put on WBC junior lightweight titlist O’Shaquie Foster defending against WBC featherweight titlist Steven Fulton that isn't signed yet, but there's a plan to have it as the Tank-Roach 2 co-feature assuming it gets finalized.  

The IBF officially ordered the Daniel Dubois heavyweight mandatory vs. Derek Chisora. But, Dubois can get out of for the next fight if the Oleksandr Usyk unification is finalized before the purse bid is ordered.  

Comically, the WBA outlined its welterweight title situation – approved (as fully expected) Ryan Garcia-Rolando Romero for the vacant “regular” title on May 2. Jaron Ennis, now the “super” champion, ordered to fight mandatory Shakhram Giyasov next. WBA said Ennis-Giyasov winner will be mandated to face the Garcia-Romero winner (but highly unlikely next since it’s going to be Garcia-Devin Haney II in the fall if they win May 2).  

Finally, Dan is also reporting that Top Rank and Ohashi Promotions are discussions WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman vs. Japanese contender Jin Sasaki in Japan or might the Ennis unification still happen?

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

And, SEE our nostalgia fights for this weekend on the Big Fight Weekend Youtube page, as well!

Fight Cards all over the globe, all weekend and we're ready to recap them with host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"


The guys being with a recap of the Sunday Boxxer/Sky Sports main event in Birmingham, England
Light heavyweight Ben Whittaker TKO2 Liam Cameron, rematch of their technical draw, with Whittaker causing controversy with his behavior post-TKO.
 
Next, it's a recap Saturday Golden Boy/DAZN in Oceanside, Calif.
Flyweight Gabriela Fundora stops Marilyn Badillo and retains undisputed women’s title. She has a bright future. In the co-feature, junior middleweight Jorge Garcia Perez stuns contender Charles Conwell in a split decision. How damaged is Conwell now?
 
Also, there's a recap Saturday of the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Sheffield, England
Junior welterweight Dalton Smith scored a dominant decision over Mathieu Germain, but couldn't put him away. Smith has a title shot coming at 140 lb. Plus, junior lightweight Josh Warrington ended his brief "retirement" beating Asad Asif Khan
 
And, a nostalgic recap Friday in a main event in Chelyabinsk, Russia
Once fearsome three-time and former unified light heavyweight titleholder and longtime pound-for-pound list entrant Sergey Kovalev, in what he said would be the final fight of his 16-year career, scored two knockdowns and stopped former cruiserweight title challenger Artur Mann in the seventh round in a cruiserweight bout. Dan refelcts on it all.
 
Then, some News
Turki Al-Sheikh announces a July 12 NYC card: Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, WBC super middleweight eliminator,  Shakur Stevenson battles William Zepeda, for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title + Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias, for Puello’s WBC junior welterweight title and David Morrell vs. Imam Khataev, light heavyweights. This is LOADED for July.

Next, Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. PPV announced for June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. MVP is doing the event with Golden Boy, which has the co-feature in WBO/WBA cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defending against mandatory challenger and former two-time titlist Yuniel Dorticos. The guys aren't jiving with this Jake Paul choice of opponent.

Finally, WBC bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani and IBF titlist Ryosuke Nishida will meet to unify their belts on June 8 (ESPN+ in the U.S.) at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Dan has more on the significance

Nostalgia
April 20, 2002 – 23 years ago Sunday --- Floyd Mayweather won a close decision over Jose Luis Castillo to win WBC lightweight title via controversial decision in their first fight. Did Floyd really lose?

April 20, 2013 – 12 years ago Sunday – Canelo Alvarez defeated unbeaten Austin Trout to unify the WBC and WBA 154 titles and win the vacant Ring title. Big Dan has a tremendous reason for not being there that night in San Antonio, TX.

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