Coming up this Saturday night in Las Vegas it's a crusierweight unified title fight on pay per view as Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez battles David Benavidez.

As fight week gets rolling, hear from Zurdo one on one with our insider Dan Rafael. They discuss Zurdo coming off shoulder surgery late last year. And, they get on to the challenge of fighting the light heavyweight champ Benavidez in one of the toughest fights of his career. Plus, what abou the Mexico vs. Mexico matchup on "Cinco de May Weekend," as well?

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

It's an extremely light weekend in the ring, but there's plenty to discuss outside of it and we are ready to do so on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael give you all the insight.

They start with the preview of Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Las Vegas

Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller vs. Lenier Pero, WBA heavyweight eliminator. Will we see fireworks in the most significant fight of the weekend? The winner obviously moves into WBA contention, as well.

 Then, some news:

Heavyweight Lawrence Okolie, who was scheduled to face Tony Yoka in the main event of a Queensberry Promotions card on DAZN on Saturday in Yoka’s hometown of Paris, has tested positive for a banned substance and the card has been canceled. We have the latest on it all.

Then, Oscar De La Hoya, Nico Ali Walsh and Nick Khan all testified in front of a U.S. Senate committee on the Ali Revival Act on Wednesday. T.J. and Dan have thoughts on what was said at the hearing and the next steps in the movement by TKO/Zuffa Boxing to get this bill made into law later this Summer.

Also, Richardson Hitchins, who signed with Zuffa last week vacates the IBF junior welterweight title on Monday – a day before a purse bid was scheduled for his mandatory vs. Lindolfo Delgado, and the IBF on Tuesday ordered Delgado-Teofimo Lopez to meet for the vacant belt.

Then, Caoimhin Agyarko did not take the IBF junior middleweight final title eliminator against former titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev. So, Murtazaliev was ordered to face Brandon Adams and both of them told the IBF in writing they’re in and will begin negotiations.

And, WBC junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith has signed a “long-term” contact extension with Matchroom Boxing, the company announced on Wednesday. And, we have more on his June title defense.

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

WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez moves up to cruiserweight to challenge WBO/WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on May 2nd at T-Mobile Arena in the "Cinco de Mayo" main event on "PBC on Prime" PPV and DAZN PPV.

But, before we get to fight week David joins our insider Dan Rafael with more on why he's choosing to move up? Does he legitimately believe that he will be able to move back down to light heavyweight to potentiallly fight an undisputed bout with Russian Dmitry Bivol?

He's always candid and willing to answer the questions and we have more with David Benavidez on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" conversation. And make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was an intriguing weekend in New York for Friday.and then, Liverpool, England on Saturday and we're ready to go over it all and we have a multi-division world champ with us as a guest all on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!'

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

First, a recap of the Friday MVP/ESPN title bouts in New York
Junior lightweight Alycia Baumgardner W10 Bo Mi Re Shin, retains WBO/IBF/WBA women’s title. An expected win, now what's next for Baumgardner? Then, a shocker in the co-feature, as 
super middleweight Lani Daniels TKO9 Shadasia Green, wins WBO/IBF women’s title. Green was seriously hurt and stretchered from the ring to the ambulance and hospital. We have the latest on her.
  Next, a recap Saturday Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Liverpool, England
Light heavyweights Ben Whittaker KO1 Braian Suarez. This was a joke and is Whitaker going to fight someone soon?
 
Then, Dan's interview with David Benavidez 
The WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez moves up to cruiserweight to challenge WBO/WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in the Cinco de Mayo main event on PBC on Prime PPV and DAZN PPV.
 
Next, some news
Conor Benn signs a long-term deal with Zuffa Boxing coming the end of his one-fight deal to fight Regis Prograis. Will we still get the WBC welterweight title fight with Ryan Garcia or does this move complicate it?

And, three-belt junior bantamweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has re-signed with Matchroom Boxing on a long-term deal tht will begin with him moving up to bantamweight to challenge WBA titlist Antonio Vargas on June 13 on DAZN in Glendale, Arizona. We love Bam's activity and exciting style of fighting.

Next, drug cartel kingpin Daniel Kinahan, who was deeply involved in boxing thru shuttered MTK Management and wanted for years by Irish authorities and the US government, finally arrested in Dubai. We have the latest.

And, Dan remembers Hall of Famer Miguel Canto, one of the great flyweight champions of all time, who died on Thursday. He was 77.

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

It is a lighter weekend of action, but there are women's world title fights in NY and light heavyweight contender Ben Whitaker is back in action in Britain on Saturday. And, we're ready to preview it all and have a bunch of fight news on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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

First, they preview the Friday night MVP / ESPN card in NY
Alycia Baumgardner vs. Bo Mi Re Shin, 12 rounds, for Baumgardner’s WBO/IBF/WBA women’s junior lightweight title. Baumgardner is heavily favored and looking ahead to a possible showdown with the likes of WBC lightweight champ Caroline Dubois or maybe a rematch with junior middleweight champ Mikaela Mayer.

Also, Shadasia Green vs. Lani Daniels, 10 rounds, for Green’s WBO/IBF women’s super middleweight title. Green has bigger aspirations and should win in this bout.

Then, Saturday's Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Liverpool, England
Ben Whittaker vs. Braian Suarez, 10 rounds, light heavyweights. Whitaker has potential, but has often been too much clowning and not enough boxing. We'll see what he does as the big favorite on this British show. 

Then, some News
Talks are going for WBC welterweight titlist Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn for Aug. 15 in Las Vegas. Garcia says it's done, but who

 Eddie Hearn told a media scrum on Tuesday that he is negotiating a two-fight deal for Anthony Joshua with Turki for a July fight and then Fury in November.  Joshua to take risk fighting someone before Fury? What are WE DOING HERE?! 

Also, T.J. has insight on why the recent news that the Saudi PIF Fund is going to stop backing the LIV Golf Tour, is pertinent as it relates to Turki Alashikh and whether his unlimited supply of money to make massive fight cards without regard to even "breaking even" will continue much longer?

Next, O’Shaquie Foster will defend the WBC junior lightweight title vs. former WBA featherweight titlist Raymond Ford at the Fertitta Center (Univiersity of Houston about 9k capacity for boxing) in Houston, Texas on May 30 on DAZN, Matchroom announced on Thursday. We talk more about the bout.

Also, Top Rank’s first DAZN event is official for May 16 at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Viriginia, with former lightweight titlist and current junior welterweight Keyshawn Davis at home in a rematch with Nahir Albright in the main event. And, former welterweight titlist Brian Norman vs. Josh Wagner in the 10-round co-feature. Dan has thoughts on both.

Then, WBC/WBA flyweight titlist Ricardo Sandoval and WBC interim titlist Galal Yafai will meet in a mandatory bout on the undercard of WBC junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith’s mandatory versus former titlist Alberto Puello June 6 in Sheffield, England.

Next, with Brandon Adams withdrawing on the eve of last Saturday’s IBF 154 final eliminator vs. Caoimhin Agyarko due to a health issue, the IBF has ordered Agyarko vs. former titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev for the mandatory spot. Murtazaliev notified the IBF he'll participate. Agyarko has until Monday to accept a position in the fight.

And, finally, former WBO cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith has signed “a multi-fight deal” with Zuffa Boxing, the company announced this week. Obvious future opponent for Opetaia.

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

It's arguably the greatest first round, if not greatest round period, in boxing history, as April 15th, 1985 Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns unleahed three incredible minutes of pure violence on each other.

And now, we look back on the magnitude of that opening round on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael and these segments you'll hear are from a full/longer conversation that they had with legendary HBO Sports play by play announcer Barry Tompkins and fellow legendary analyst Al Bernstein, who did the live closed circuit broadcast that night.

While those guys were on seperate calls of the fight, they have great memories about the build up and the EPIC opening round.

Re-live the nostalgia of one of the great nights in boxing history that was summed up, spontaneously by Tomkins with "This is still the first round!" as they recount it with us!

It's part of our coverage on this podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was another busy fight weekend primarily with the Ring/Netflix show in London but in other parts of the globe, as well. And, we go over it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

First up is the recap of the Saturday Ring magazine Netflix card in London
Heavyweight Tyson Fury W12 Arslanbek Makhmudov – Fury gets the expected win in his first fight in almost a year and a half. But, more interesting was the back and forth with with Anthony Joshua afterwards and will they fight next/soon?

Then, a recap of the junior middleweight co-feature Conor Benn decisions Regis Prograis over 10 rounds. Benn had some adversity with cuts and Prograis landing some on him too. But, he wins easily, so now, what's next at welterweight?

Also, Heavyweight Richard Riakporhe TKO5 Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva, and wins British title Heavyweight.Plus, Justis Huni W10 Frazer Clarke. A good win, but a legal mess with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, too.

Then, a Recap of the Saturday Teiken Boxing main event in Tokyo
Bantamweight Tenshin Nasukawa TKO9 Juan Francisco Estrada, WBC final eliminator. Nasukawa wins and is it time for Estrada to hang'em up? 
And, a recap of Thursday Eye of the Tiger DAZN main event in Montreal
Super middleweight Osleys Iglesias TKO8 Pavel Silyagin, wins vacant IBF title. Big Dan is high on Iglesias and his potential.
 
Next, some news
Junior middleweight contender Brandon Adams collapsed on Friday, was taken to the hospital, and his IBF title elimination fight against unbeaten Caoimhin Agyarko on Saturday was canceled. We have the latest on Adams.

Next, the IRS has filed a $7.3 million lien against Floyd Mayweather for unpaid taxes in the years 2018 and 2023. Obviously, not good for Mayweather at this point.

Future hall of famer Canelo Alvarez, while recovering from elbow surgery that will keep him out until September, has enrolled in college at San Diego University for Integrative Studies, he announced on Instagram. Canelo taking classes?! We have more.

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

We are back and ready to go with a large show involving arguably the two biggest names in British boxing on the same show + some world title fights being made 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 to to over it all.

They start with the preview of the Saturday Ring magazine/Netflix card at Tottemham Hotspur Stadium in London
Tyson Fury returns vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov, 12 rounds, heavyweights. What does "The Gypsy King" really have left? Can Makhmudov test him at all? 

Then, the co-feature, Conor Benn battles Regis Prograis, 10 rounds, junior middleweights. Benn leaves Matchroom Boxing and this fight is leading to bigger things later in 2026. And two heavyweights fights- 
Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva vs. Richard Riakporhe, 12 rounds, for Tshikeva’s British heavyweight title and Justis Huni vs. Frazer Clarke, 10 rounds, heavyweights  

Next a preview of the DMG PPV main event Saturday at Cosmoplotan of Las Vegas

Brandon Adams meets Caoimhin Agyarko, 12 rounds, IBF junior middleweight eliminator. Is there much here? Dan gives his take.j 

And, also a preview of Teiken Promotions Japan card Saturday early morning US time on DAZN
Future hall of famer Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Tenshin Nasukawa, 12 rounds, WBC bantamweight final eliminator 

Then, some news
Abdullah Mason will make his first WBO lightweight title defense against former junior lightweight titleholder Joe Cordina in the main event of a Top Rank card on July 4 on DAZN in Mason’s hometown of Cleveland, per sources

It will headline the 1st event that will also air on TNT as part of a deal between DAZN and TNT announced on Wednesday. We have more details.

IBF 140 lb. titlist Richardson Hitchins and super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga sign with Zuffa Boxing, as does heavyweight Otto Wallin. Will Hitchins in particular make his mandatory defense against Lindolfo Delgado or not on a Zuffa card?

Next, we have Injury updates on Deontay Wilder and Tim Tszyu following their Saturday bouts from Dan. And also, WBO interim light heavyweight titlist Callum Smith has suffered an injury and his mandatory defense against David Morrell scheduled to headline a Matchroom Boxing card on April 18 (DAZN) at M&S Bank Arena in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool, England, is off. The card will go forward with Ben Whittaker’s 10-rounder against Braian Suarez, the original co-feature, will now headline. 

And, O’Shaquie Foster will defend the WBC junior lightweight title against Raymond Ford in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card on May 30 (DAZN) in the Houston area. While, unified women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano will defend against Cheyenne Hanson in the co-feature of MVPW-03 headlined by the rematch between WBA women’s lightweight titlist Stephanie Hand and Holly Holm also on May 30 (ESPN, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET) at El Paso County Coliseum in Han’s hometown of El Paso, Texas, Most Valuable Promotions announced along with additional undercard fights.

It's all on this edition of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to rate and review us on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are off the weekend that has seen a heavyweight showdown in England that was long on sloppy, big punching and also Tim Tszyu's Aussie return. And, we go over it all on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives is back with Insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter

First they recap Saturday’s MF Pro DAZN PPV in London
Deontay Wilder W12 Derek Chisora. This fight appealed to Big Dan and he talks why. Plus,
Viddal Riley W12 Mateusz Masternak, IBF cruiser eliminator and wins European title. And, Denzel Bentley TKO7 Endry Saavedra, wins vacant WBO interim middleweight crown.

Next, a recap of Saturday’s No Limit/PBC on Prime Video card at Wollongong, Australia
Tim Tszyu W10 Denis Nurja (157 pounds). Tszyu looked good and his Errol Spence going to be next?
And, Sam Goodman W12 Rodrigo Ruiz, in an IBF junior featherweight eliminator. 

Also, a recap of Sunday’s MVP ESPN+ card
Lightweight Caroline Dubois W10 Terri Harper, and unifies WBC/WBO women’s titles
Junior featherweight Ellie Scotney W10 Mayelli Flores, unifies all four to become women’s undisputed Junior middleweight Chantelle Cameron W10 Michaela Kotaskova, wins vacant WBO title, Mayer next   
Another Recap Friday’s Treasure Boxing main event in Tokyo
Junior flyweight Rene Santiago W12 Masataka Taniguchi, retains the WBO/WBA titles.

Recap Friday’s Matchroom Boxing on DAZN in Altrincham, England 
Cruiserweight Pat Brown a prospect TKO8 Vasil Ducar
Junior middleweight William Crolla KO7 Glenn Byrne  in a WILD FIGHT! WithCrolla down four times, but,rallies for a KO of the year contender! 

News
Turki Alashikh announces full Oleksandr Usyk- Rico Verhoeven heavyweight title fight undercard. Dan has the details.

Per sources,Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright headlines first Top Rank DAZN card May 16 in Norfolk, VA. The guys discuss. 

Per sources to Dan, June 20 is the date in the works for the vacant WBC lightweight title fight between William Zepeda and Lamont Roach Jr.

And, Zuffa Boxing has announced their latest card for May and Dan has more on the main event.

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

We are back in a new month with more intriguing action from England to Australia and we're ready to preview it and go over some fight news and more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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

They start with the preview of Saturday’s MF Pro/DAZN card at London’s O2 ArenaDeontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora, 12 rounds, heavyweights. Do either of them have anything left. Will we get a big brawl from these older veterans that cannot get out of the way? There are takes.

On the undercard Poland's Mateusz Masternak vs. Viddal Riley, 12 rounds, IBF cruiserweight eliminator and for Masternak’s European title. Plus, British star Denzel Bentley vs. Endry Saavedra, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO interim middleweight title.

Next, preview Saturday night’s No Limit PBC on Prime Video in Wollongong, Australia
Tim Tszyu vs. Denis Nurja, 10 rounds, middleweights. Tszyu spoke with Dan earlier in the week and now risks a future fight with Errol Spence that will pay him much more wih this one.
 
Preview MVP’s Sunday ESPN+ card in Lonon
Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper, 10 rounds, WBC/WBO women’s lightweight unification. Should be a highly entertaining bout with Dubois on the rise.
   
News

Xander Zayas set to defend unified 154 titles against Jaron 'Boots' Ennis on June 27 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on DAZN PPV, it was announced Monday. This has a lot of intrigue.

Next, the negotiations for a May 30th unification fight between WBO welterweight titlist Devin Haney and WBA titleholder Rolando Romero have fallen through.... SHOCKER, unless it's not. Now, what for Haney?

Also, rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma is supposed to be back in action in July in England but after that Frank Warren told Dan that the plan is to bring him to fight in the U.S. in September. Let’s hear it for actvitiy!  

And, the IBA looking to put on Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev III, but that will be late this year at the earliest. They discuss.

And, per Dan's sources, welterweight contenders Shakhram Giyasov and Jack Catterall have reached an agreement to meet for the vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title on the undercard of lineal and unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s defense against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 (DAZN PPV) at the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt.

We go over it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!