One of the top unbeaten fighters in the U.S. is back in action Saturday night and we're ready to preview the unified welterweight title showdown, give you some other fight news and some heavyweight title nostalgia too on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"
Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael for the takes and insight.
First, we preview Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis battles. Eimantas Stanionis, 12 rounds, IBF/WBA welterweight unification bout. Who wins and why? In the co-feature Raymond Ford takes on Thomas Mattice in a junior lightweight battle. What's Ford's future at 130 lb.? Plus, USA Olympian Omari Jones is already back and rounds,
Shakhram Giyasov is in action waiting for possible title shot with the Ennis-Stanionis winner.
Then, some News
Top Rank is planning WBO lightweight titleholder Keyshawn Davis’ first defense for June 7 (ESPN) against Edwin De Los Santos in Davis’ hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.
Dmtiry Bivol vacates the WBC light heavyweight title, will got ahea and fight trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev. And, David Benavidez is now elevated to full WBC titleholder. Was it a duck???
HOF trainer Kenny Adams died Monday at 84. He worked with 20+ world champions, head coach of decorated 1988 U.S. Olympic team, assistant for legendary 1984 Olympic team. Dan has great stories
And, the WBC orders mandatory fight between lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson and interim titleholder William Zepeda. Purse bid May 6 if no deal. Will it happen?
Finally, MVP goes on a women’s signing binge, and additions to Taylor-Serrano 3 card for this Summer.
Nostalgia
April 9, 1988 – 33 years ago on Wednesday – Evander Holyfield TKO8 Carlos De Leon to unify and become the first ever undisputed cruiserweight title before moving up to heavyweight in his next fight. We discuss his early greatness in the 1980s.
April 10, 2004 -- 21 years ago on Thursday – Lamon Brewster TKO5 Wladimir Klitschko in a massive upset to win the vacant WBO heavyweight title in their first fight & on same HBO card Cory Spinks W12 Zab Judah to retain the undisputed welterweight title in their first fight. Dan was ringside at Mandalay Bay and tells great stories of how the loss haunted Klitschko throughout the rest of his career.
Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe for all the content on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!