Note: Our interview with Smith Jr. was recorded before Thursday's fight postponement announcement. Still, please enjoy the pod. And make sure to compliment Mike on his turtlenecks and Lance on his infinite optimism on Twitter.

Pug and Copp kick off the episode discussing Joe Smith Jr.-Maxim Vlasov, a battle for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title. The guys examine the Xs and Os and keys to the fight. Are everyone's Ryan Garcia-Manny Pacquiao dreams dead? Smith Jr. then joins the podcast to preview his title clash against Vlasov. What strategy must he execute to win? What did he learn from fighting Dmitry Bivol, Jesse Hart and Eleider Alvarez? How did his humble beginnings as a construction worker shape him into the fighter he is today? And what is his lasting memory from knocking out Bernard Hopkins? Mike and Lance ponder Smith and Vlaslov's future, and explore the stacked light heavyweight division. Lastly, we answer your questions, including: Josh Warrington vacating the IBF belt; Kinahan, MTK and morality and what's the latest on Deontay Wilder?

Rundown:

(1:00) Smith Jr.-Vlasov preview + Garcia-Pacquiao terminated?

(9:00) Joe Smith Jr. joins the show

(15:00) Competitive fights; growth as boxer; Hopkins memory

(25:00) Prodigious light heavyweight division

(28:15) Listener mailbag

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In a loaded February brimming with exciting fights, Mike and Lance dive into Saturday's DAZN card featuring Joseph "JoJo" Diaz-Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Patrick Teixeira-Brian Castano as co-mains. The duo focus in on Diaz's ascension, and where he falls in the 130-pound pecking order. Then, Diaz, himself, joins Pug and Copp to preview his first title defense versus . Diaz also provides insight into his mindset after his 2018 loss to Gary Russell Jr.; the ongoing drama with Tevin Farmer; joining MTK and its lawsuit; Rakhimov controversy and more. Pug and Copp cap finish today's show by discussing the 130-pound landscape, and analyzing odds for DAZN's card.

Rundown:

(1:00) Diaz-Rakhimov; Teixeira-Castano

(5:30) JoJo Diaz joins the show

(10:30) Diaz on Rakhimov, Farmer & MTK

(20:15) Rakhimov controversy

(28:00) Weekend bets

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Mike welcomes WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders to discuss his monumental fight against Canelo Alvarez. Does the 31-year-old champion feel more prepared for Canelo after a year of waiting? Will a fighter of Canelo's caliber force Saunders to rise to the occasion (5:30)? Is comparing Callum Smith's chances against Canelo to Saunders fair (9:30)? The Englishman then opens up about his friendship with Tyson Fury (11:15) before speaking out about his willingness to "live in Hell" in order to defeat the world's pound for pound champ (15:00). Lastly, how will Saunders' Southpaw style manage against Canelo, and what's his relationship like with Daniel Kinahan (17:15)?

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Mike and Lance discuss the potential fallout of Conor McGregor's loss to Dustin Poirier, and what it means for fighters like Ryan Garcia and Manny Pacquiao. After, the guys welcome undefeated, WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney to the podcast to chat about his...monkey?! Haney also shares his thoughts on Ryan Garcia's early January win, building his brand, working with Eddie Hearn and what's next for himself. Lastly, Pug and Copp converse about Stephen Fulton's victory over Angelo Leo, a call for David Benavidez-Caleb Plant and more.

Rundown:

(:45) McGregor fallout

(8:00) Devin Haney joins the show

(13:30) Fortuna; Garcia; Brand building; Hearn and more

(24:00) Fulton-Leo reaction; give us Benevidez-Plant

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In a sport overflowing with young talent, Lance identifies his top-25 boxers under the age of 25 with the help of Mike. Who on Lance's list is overrated, underrated and what ranking does Mike take offense to? The guys are then joined by sports promoter and managing director of Matchroom Sports, Eddie Hearn. Hearn details his business relationship with Canelo Alvarez; Miami as an untapped boxing market; Anthony Joshua v. Tyson Fury; belts and future fights. To wrap, Mike and Lance jive about Sergey Kovalev's future, and react to a Crawford-Spence update.

Rundown:

(:45) 25 under 25

(11:00) Eddie Hearn joins P&C: Miami market + Canelo

(16:45) Joshua-Fury

(23:30) Belts

(30:00) US schedule & more

(35:15) Kovalev future

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Mike and Lance greet 22-year-old boxing phenom, Ryan Garcia, to the program (1:15). Garcia revisits his win over Luke Campbell, a victory that secured him the interim WBC lightweight title. What does bearing a title mean to him, and how about dispelling any doubts about his ability? Garcia explains his position on curating fights and furthering his, and others', careers (6:45). Is Gervonta "Tank" Davis in Garcia's crosshairs? What roadblocks, if any, serve as obstacles in a potential Davis fight, and, hypothetically, at what point would he move on from a fight with Davis (11:30)? What is the current state of Garcia and promoter, Oscar De La Hoya's, relationship (14:15)? The trio discuss the young star's rapidly increasing notoriety and how he's trying to find balance in his work and personal life (16:45). Are there too many belts in the sport? Garcia believes so (22:00). Plus, Garcia speaks on his relationship with Canelo Alvarez (26:00). Pug and Copp sink their teeth into Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Maurice Hooker's agreement to fight, and more before wrapping up today's show (28:30).

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Mike and Lance react to another Ryan Garcia knockout, this time of Luke Campbell, arguably Garcia's biggest-named win to date (:30). What does the KO mean for Garcia's future? Who will the undefeated Campbell tackle next? Undisputed lightweight champion of the world Teofimo Lopez then joins P&C to discuss his title and Garcia's win (6:30). Lopez discusses his possible mandatory bout against George Kambosos, and what a fight on international soil would mean for his brand (11:45). The trio react to Lomachenko's comments about the validity of Lopez's win (16:15) before Lopez ranks the top lightweights. Plus, the 23-year-old speaks on his confidence, betting on himself, learning through adversity and who'd he like to challenge next (19:00). Pug and Copp finish the show discussing the 135 lbs weight class and what to expect from them in 2021 and beyond (34:15).

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Mike and Lance are back and amped for Luke Campbell and Ryan Garcia to ring in the new year with a prime time fight (1:00). Will Garcia's inexperience against top-tier opponents show against Campbell? And will the 33-year-old Campbell shake off last year's loss to Vasyl Lomachenko, and rise to the occasion to defeat one of the sport's brightest, young stars? Campbell, himself, answers those questions as he joins Pug and Copp (6:00). Plus, has Campbell really not seen any film of Garcia (20:00)? The guys preview another bout featuring one of the game's rising stars, Kosei Tanaka, a three-weight world champion, as he faces off against the established Kazuto Ioka (24:45). Lastly, Mike and Lance announce The Athletic's pick for the Fighter of the Year honors (27:45).

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Mike and Lance react to Canelo Alvarez's convincing win over Callum Smith to unify supper middleweight titles. Is Canelo, without a doubt, the best boxer in the world currently? Who do we want to see fight the champion next?

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Mike and Lance examine Saturday's Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev bout, and ponder if Joshua-Fury is what's next on the menu (:30). Could the WBO and president Paco Valcarcel throw a wrench in fans' daydream of Joshua-Fury? What's the likelihood Oleksandr Usyk earns a mandatory fight against AJ (6:45)? The guys preview Canelo-Smith and toss around the thought of Canelo-GGG III should boxing's pound-for-pound king prevail this weekend (11:00). Super-middleweight champion Callum Smith joins the program to share his thoughts on his upcoming battle against Canelo Alvarez (18:30). How does Smith feel being the fight's underdog? What does this matchup mean to the 30-year-old, whose brother, Liam, fell at the hands of Canelo four years ago? What would the reception from the UK audience be should he and Billy Joe Saunders trade blows (27:00)? Plus, what does Smith think of Canelo not shying away from challenging competition, much like himself? The gents applaud Edgar Berlanga's incredible streak and more before wrapping up the show (34:30).

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