The Stand Up Guys

The Last Crossover Star

Will boxing ever produce another Muhammad Ali or Floyd Mayweather? Or has today's fragmented media landscape made the true crossover superstar a thing of the past?

This week on The Stand Up Guys, Patrick and Edge ask what it takes to become bigger than boxing. Jake Paul might be the closest thing we've got, Ryan Garcia has potential, and everyone else has a long way to go. We even build the perfect crossover fighter from scratch: UFC champion, notorious heel, public feud with Dana White, a successful jump to boxing—and, naturally, a pop-star girlfriend. But can the right rival turn fame into a genuine mega fight?

First, we clean up the Haggerty–Akimoto controversy and the Schofield–Bahdi protest. Then we review Canelo–Mbilli: Canelo's shrinking offensive bursts, a controversial deduction, an eerily quiet arena and DAZN commentary that gets roasted throughout the episode. More seriously, we question the decision to stage the fight amid reported security and travel disruptions. Making it through safely doesn't mean taking the risk was wise.

That leads to a bigger question: Is the era of seemingly limitless Saudi boxing money coming to an end? From Beterbiev–Bivol II to enormous purse expectations, we consider whether the sport can still afford the blockbusters it has taught fighters to expect.

We also get into Shakur Stevenson's exit from Zuffa, Dana White's promises, Floyd Mayweather's allegation that $550 million went missing, and the increasingly doubtful Mayweather–Ryan Garcia matchup. Signing stars is one thing. Promoting them, finding opponents and paying for the fights is another.

In the reviews, O'Shaquie Foster puts on a phenomenal performance against Emanuel Navarrete; Jaime Munguía survives a wild fight with Nikita Zon and earns an OFFICIAL PTGF apology for our Berlanga comparisons! We touch on Dalton Smith–Alberto Puello, Sitthichai's spectacular finish at ONE Friday Fights 176, Khunsuk's body-shot demolition, and two vicious RWS knockouts from Ratchanon and Kimluay.

Plus, news on Edgar Berlanga, Gervonta Davis and Keyshawn Davis, and a look ahead to Amari Jones and Stockton's November Reign card.

The links below are important supplemental viewing material. Check out the fight footage and highlights to see what we're talking about!

The Stand Up Guys — No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

PODCAST LINKS

Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJsfci4FGpM

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Emanuel Navarrete (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpMZYDyH6NE

Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello (Video 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKje9vdU27k

Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello (Video 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8kHhfNR194

Jaime Munguía vs. Nikita Zon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F1hMy8a6gQ

ONE Friday Fights 176
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD0q2Cb9kbw&t=11014s

RWS — October 31, 2026

Ratchanon vs. Neimar Almeida
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftVBIkMxIr0

Jozef Molnar vs. Kimluay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqtujXTNfc

The Math Stops Working

Ten pounds overweight. Failed hydration tests. Canceled fights. At some point, the math simply stops working.

This week on The Stand Up Guys, Patrick and Edge dive into the weight-cutting circus at ONE Samurai 4. Luo Chao misses by 9.4 pounds—TEN POUNDS under our new Five-Pound Rule! Anpo makes weight but fails hydration, and we give ONE credit for enforcing its rules even when it costs them a major fight.

And Chatri finally won: after all our complaining, we're paying $9.99 a month for Inner Circle. That doesn't mean we've stopped complaining! We hated seeing eight striking fights in a cage, questioned the officiating, marveled at Nabil Anane's cheat-code dimensions, and enjoyed spectacular finishes from Nadaka and Jonathan Haggerty. Takeru retires, too. For now. 😂

We open with a tribute to legendary Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gómez, including a nod to his classics against Carlos Zárate and Lupe Pintor, and discuss FCE's calf-kick ban.

Then we turn to Canelo–Mbilli in Saudi Arabia. With serious security concerns and travel disruptions, should this event be happening at all? That leads to a discussion of boxing contracts—especially the difference between promotional agreements and individual bout contracts—Andre Ward's dispute with Goossen Tutor, and Eddie Hearn's claims about Fury–Joshua.

In the ring, Lamsing and Abdessamie Rhenimi deliver a wild ONE Friday Fights war. Sergio Mendoza overwhelms a courageous Ricardo Sandoval; Floyd Schofield outboxes Lucas Bahdi while DAZN's commentary drives Patrick to turn off the sound; and Daniel Dubois demolishes Fabio Wardley, earning Edge a suspension of his medical license after last week's assurances! 😂

We also cover Jahmal Harvey's knockout of Pedro Castañeda, Sebastian Fundora's punishing victory over Ermal Hadribeaj and that strange final-bell stoppage. Brandon Figueroa's canceled fight with Tomoki Kameda brings us right back to the limits of cutting weight.

Finally, Max Kellerman is out and Mario Lopez is in at DAZN's Inside the Ring—and the r/Boxing moderators catch some strays. Apparently a post criticizing commentary is unacceptable, but a promise to drink your own piss is quality boxing discussion.

IMPORTANT: The links below are valuable supplemental material, not just citations. Watch the classic Gómez fights, explore the boxing-contract documents, and revisit the fights we discuss!

The Stand Up Guys — No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

Wilfredo Gómez vs. Carlos Zárate (1978)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzSPODCCVY4&t=9s

Wilfredo Gómez vs. Lupe Pintor (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTAm2h_w0YE

IBF Championship Agreement
https://www.ibf-usba-boxing.com/wp-content/uploads/IBFOfficialChampionshipBoutContract.pdf

ABC Boxing Agreement
https://www.abcboxing.com/boxer-and-bout-sample-contracts/

CSAC Ruling: Goosen vs Ward
https://www.scribd.com/document/236533442/CSAC-Arbitration-Decision-Ward-Goossen

Ricardo Sandoval vs. Sergio Mendoza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RozqHCGKEU

Floyd Schofield vs. Lucas Bahdi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uecnkcuu00

Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl0GTBgFvKk

Jahmal Harvey vs. Pedro Castañeda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po8nyIOgb5c

Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-202VJ2DHY

ONE Friday Fights 175
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj25GlF0ZWc&t=11450s

Podcast Links

The Stand Up Guys — Episode 50

FIFTY EPISODES! And apparently, the combat sports world has decided to celebrate by giving us more fights than we know what to do with.

Patrick and Edge look ahead to a loaded boxing schedule, including Fury vs. Joshua, Dubois vs. Wardley II, Canelo vs. Mbilli, Navarrete vs. Foster and a whole lot more. We discuss the matchups we're excited about, the questions surrounding them and a potential Pacquiao vs. Shakur Stevenson fight that we're not entirely sure anybody needs.

Behind the scenes, DAZN's reported acquisition of The Ring raises some interesting questions about boxing's power structure. We take a look at the people actually running DAZN, revisit Zuffa Boxing's mysterious Garcia–Benn viewership figures and examine the promotional battle surrounding Fury–Joshua.

We also review Ben Whittaker's dramatic final-round survival against Conor Wallace and Takuma Inoue's controversial victory over Tenshin Nasukawa.

Over in Muay Thai, ONE announces an absolutely ridiculous Flyweight Grand Prix featuring Rodtang vs. Nong-O IN THE FIRST ROUND! We discuss the tournament, and three memorable performances from ONE Friday Fights.

Plus, Patrick goes on an international expedition to find an RWS broadcast, we celebrate 50 years of Rocky, and we remember Arturo “Lobito” Torres.

Fifty episodes down. Plenty more fights to argue about.

No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

Podcast Links

Going The Distance by Bill Conti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvQkl7qa6RQ&list=RDGvQkl7qa6RQ&start_radio=1

Ben Whittaker vs. Conor Wallace (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7YBQ3diC0I

Takuma Inoue vs. Tenshin Nasukawa II (Hilights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmsZbYRjIg4

Desiree Wodicker vs Marie Ruumet

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Desiree+Wodicker+vs+Marie+Ruumet

ONE Friday Fights172

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ONE+Friday+Fights172

ONE Friday Fights 173

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ONE+Friday+Fights+173

Episode 49 — September 12

September 12 was supposed to answer some questions.

Instead, it created about a dozen new ones.

This week on The Stand Up Guys, we dig into Zuffa Boxing’s first major production—starting with the fights themselves and then following all the consequences, controversies and possibilities that came out of one very eventful night.

Ryan Garcia knocked out Conor Benn in the second round, but that was only the beginning of the story. We get into the weight drama surrounding the fight, Garcia’s performance and what could be next—including the possibility of another meeting with Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

We also break down Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaelian, what the result means for an increasingly interesting cruiserweight division, and Vanhouter vs. Akpejiori, which gave us one of the stranger first-round knockouts you’re ever going to see.

Then we zoom out and look at Zuffa itself. This was our first real chance to see what a major Zuffa Boxing production looks like. We talk presentation, matchmaking, the ongoing Oscar De La Hoya/Dana White war, and where this whole experiment appears to be heading after its biggest night yet.

Over at K-1 WORLD MAX, we review Mona Kimura vs. Marine Nicol, Tomoya Yokoyama vs. Thun Menghong and Stoyan Koprivlenski vs. Vladimir Tulaev. And Kimura gives us the perfect opportunity to introduce a new segment: EDGE’S GAME PLAN. Using the Nicol fight as film study, Edge breaks down how he would approach the problem of beating Mona Kimura.

We also look ahead to Teofimo Lopez vs. Regis Prograis and ask some serious questions about Prograis taking a 12-round fight at this stage of his career.

Then we give some love where it's due.

Katie Taylor gets her flowers one more time as we contrast the spectacle surrounding Claressa Shields’ latest comments with the career Taylor built—and the extraordinary connection with fans that ultimately put 83,000 people inside Croke Park for her farewell.

And Scott Coker is back. We dig into his ambitious plans for Ki MMA: $60 million in financing, a 32-man featherweight World Grand Prix, regional brackets, free agents, superfights and—music to our ears—a traditional ring instead of a cage. That last part sends Edge down a historical rabbit hole to Benny “The Jet” Urquidez vs. Tayari Casel at Madison Square Garden in 1975, when combat sports were still experimenting with what style-vs.-style fighting could even look like.

Finally, we go back to September 16, 1981.

Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns.

Forty-five years later, we look back at a fight—and a rivalry—that still belongs in the conversation today.

🥊 The Stand Up Guys with Patrick Robles & Edge Brown.

No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

Podcast Links

Ryan Garcia vs Connor Benn (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-TvuYsbDA0

Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuA_I1OPWSI

Da’Mazion Vanhouter vs Raphael Akpejiori (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8MsEXPWlpE

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs Nestor Bravo (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v86fXzyw9k

Mona Kimura vs Marine Nicol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deaxP81fJws

Tomoya Yokoyama vs Thun Menghong 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-83GEdN_xTg

Stoyan Koprivlenski vs Vladimir Tulaev 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv4F83Ty-Z8

Tayari Casel v Benny Jet Urquidez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4JCaDTbV18

Sugar Ray Leonard vs Tommy Hearns (1981)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ-7SIpdgfI

Episode 48 — Heavyweight Chaos

How many heavyweight champions can boxing have before the word “champion” stops meaning what it's supposed to mean?

This week on The Stand Up Guys, we dig into the increasingly ridiculous state of boxing's heavyweight division. With five different fighters now holding versions of the heavyweight championship, the belts may tell us one thing—but that doesn't necessarily answer the simplest question in boxing:

Who is the heavyweight champion of the world?

For The Stand Up Guys, the answer is still Oleksandr Usyk.

That discussion starts with the fight that helped create this mess: Filip Hrgović's stunning comeback victory over Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF title. Itauma looked spectacular for much of the fight before reaching territory he'd never experienced as a professional and suddenly falling apart. At only 21 years old, what actually went wrong—and what should we take away from the first loss of his career?

We also head to Croke Park, where 83,000 people packed the stadium for Katie Taylor's farewell against Flora Pili. The fight itself almost became secondary to the incredible atmosphere surrounding it. We pay tribute to Taylor, her career, and the kind of sendoff very few fighters in history ever get to experience.

Then we put ONE Samurai 3 and K-1 WORLD MAX side by side. ONE wants Western fans to pay $39 for a nine-fight card, while K-1 offers a massive tournament and championship card for a fraction of the price. If combat sports are competing for your money, what are you actually getting for it?

We also preview the September 12 Zuffa Boxing card, check in on the increasingly strange Money Team Legal Network, and take a trip through the latest chapter in the life and legal history of Badr Hari.

🥊 Fight reviews include:

• Austin Williams vs. Vito Mielnicki Jr.
• Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba
• Burklerk vs. Nueapayak
• Nuengkaonueng vs. Denis Dotsenko
• Ngoc Phu Nguyen vs. Elmehdi El Jamari
• Mohamed Younes Rabah vs. Ricardo Bravo
• GLORY's manufactured altercation
• And Thanupetch vs. Joachim Ouraghi, featuring one of the most brutal knockouts we've seen in a while.

Five heavyweight champions.

One very simple question.

Who's actually THE heavyweight champion of the world?

🥊 The Stand Up Guys with Patrick Robles & Edge Brown.

No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

Podcast Links

Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgović (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLGEoGQGXPg

Katie Taylor vs. Flora Pili (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNqNfgGkq-4

One Friday Fights 169

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egTq0Hgzcho

One Fight Night 47 (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhI390vWVs

Thanupetch vs. Joachim Ouraghi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRqTjxTW-fM

Austin Williams vs. Vito Mielnicki Jr. (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lOOQ1PlnN4

Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtFvoCOO9l4

Episode 47 — Second Acts

What exactly counts as a second act?

This week on The Stand Up Guys, we look at fighters whose careers didn't follow a simple beginning-middle-end trajectory. From Muhammad Ali and George Foreman to Sugar Ray Leonard, Bernard Hopkins, Vitali Klitschko, Samart Payakaroon, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones and Alistair Overeem, we explore the many different ways a fighter can return, reinvent themselves, change directions or find success in an entirely new chapter.

And somehow Rodney Dangerfield made the list.

Yes. Seriously.

That discussion leads us into bare-knuckle boxing, which has developed a fascinating second act of its own. We go all the way back to boxing's bare-knuckle roots before the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, because bare knuckle isn't some strange modern offshoot—it's part of boxing's genetics.

From there, we trace its journey from boxing's earliest days through the viral-internet era of backyard fighting and Kimbo Slice, and eventually into the organized bare-knuckle promotions we know today. Along the way, it's also become something of combat sports' “senior tour”—a legitimate place for established fighters to reinvent themselves and write another chapter of their careers.

That includes Victor Ortiz, who recently made his bare-knuckle debut and sat down with Edge at Napa Knock Out to talk about his career, his inspirations and his own second act. Our full interview with Victor is available on our YouTube channel.

Before all of that, we remember Prichard Colón, who passed away after nearly eleven years living with the devastating injuries he suffered in his 2015 fight, and former world champion Zolani Tete, tragically murdered outside his home in South Africa. Tete leaves behind his own piece of boxing history: the 11-second knockout that remains the fastest finish in a world championship fight.

We also take a deep dive into the idea that losing in Zuffa Boxing could get you fired. With invaluable assistance from our newly appointed Head of Research—a random guy in the Facebook comments—we discovered that fighters being released after losses certainly isn't unprecedented. The difference may be that with Zuffa, it appears increasingly likely to be a feature of the system rather than an occasional outlier.

And after some disappointing discourse surrounding George Foreman, we discuss why boxing conversations deserve more than the sports-talk formula of forcing every generation into a winner-and-loser debate.

🥊 We also cover:

• Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
• Jermell Charlo vs. Tim Tszyu
• Emanuel Navarrete vs. O'Shaquie Foster
• Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Charly Suarez
• Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II
• Vergil Ortiz potentially moving to middleweight
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly
• Nabil Anane's pursuit of Olympic boxing
• Suriyanlek getting hit by a van... because apparently that's a story now
• GLORY's heavyweight landscape
• Don King turning 95
• Teofimo Lopez vs. Rolly Romero
• Pet Garfield vs. Netpayak
• And a preview of Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgović

Some careers end.

Some careers restart.

And some fighters find an entirely different way to keep going.

Episode 47: Second Acts.

No hot takes. Just honest conversation. 🥊

Podcast Links

Vitor Ortiz Interview

https://youtu.be/MhMS5KctsXY
One Friday Fights 167

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6RGqeoQ5-g&t=6547s

Rolly Romero vs Teofimo Lopez: (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqgdf9TgvfQ

Pichard Colon vs Terrel Williams 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1ykhcZJFJg&t=1866s

Zolani Tete vs Siboniso Gonya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUXUedFxTQE
Larry Holmes vs Trevor Berbick Brawl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zlQqSCzRrA

Podcast Links

Peemai vs. Leonid Kostin 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szC_-wsWxdo

Award Kazimba vs. Big Ice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE3Z9hlf5p4

Lamont Roach vs. William Zepeda (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuofPvxZKtQ

ONE Friday Fights 165

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAAx3WW131U

🎙️ The Stand Up Guys — Episode 46

This week, we went small—and came away thinking about something much bigger.

After attending Elite Underdog Promotions in Oakland, we talk about why every fight fan should experience a local boxing show and why smaller promotions aren't simply a stepping stone to the part of boxing that "matters."

They are part of what makes boxing possible.

At the highest level, we see world champions, sold-out arenas and massive paydays. But underneath that visible 1% is an entire ecosystem of working fighters, trainers, cutpeople, officials, promoters and other professionals who may never become famous—and can still build legitimate careers in combat sports.

At Elite Underdog, we saw fighters at completely different stages of development on the same card, from a pro debut to veterans with more than 20 fights. We saw fighters bring their own rooting sections and essentially create the atmosphere inside the building. We saw good fights, ugly fights and developmental fights that made far more sense when experienced from ringside. And we saw just how small the distance becomes between the fighters, trainers, families and fans at the regional level.

That leads us into the centerpiece of Episode 46: the other 99% of combat sports.

Not every movie is Oppenheimer, and not every boxer is Canelo. We discuss what it means to be a working professional, why fame shouldn't be the only measure of success, and why the regional promotions and people most fans never hear about are essential infrastructure for the entire sport.

As Tony Bellew once said about legendary journeyman Kristian Laight:

“Without guys like him the pro game wouldn’t exist.”

That's the conversation.

🥊 We also cover:

• Dana White changing course on boxing's sanctioning bodies
• The MVP/PFL merger and what it could mean for young fighters
• Keyshawn Davis turning down the Devin Haney mandatory
• Rodtang's wild journey from a $17 million lawsuit to re-signing with ONE
• Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua and the battle over New York vs. Wembley
• Joseph Parker's UKAD ruling
• Petchpanomrung leaving kickboxing for a return to Muay Thai
• ONE Samurai 2 and whether a good card is necessarily worth $40
• RWS, ONE Friday Fights and Zuffa Boxing
• And a 15-year-old with 41 professional fights who has us talking about experience in Muay Thai all over again.

The stars may be the part of combat sports everybody sees.

This episode is about everybody underneath them keeping the whole thing standing.

No hot takes. Just honest conversation. 🥊

Aaron McKenna vs. Etinosa Oliha (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHwCTb89ebs

🎙️ The Stand Up Guys – Episode 45.5

Patrick checks in remotely from somewhere in Alaska, where he's apparently using two tin cans, a piece of string, and whatever internet signal can bounce off a passing moose just to record this episode.

Meanwhile, Edge recaps his experience at the Napa Knockout Charity Event, hosted by the California State Athletic Commission, where the combat sports community came together to raise money for retired fighters and fighter pensions.

Then it's time to catch up on everything we missed while we were apart.

We break down Anthony Joshua's dramatic comeback knockout after a disastrous opening round, ask whether Tim Tszyu defeated a faded Errol Spence Jr., discuss another impressive technical performance from Josh Kelly, and examine why Hamzah Sheeraz's victory still left us with more questions than answers.

We also review Richardson Hitchins vs. Ricardo Salas, where the commentary team became almost as much of a story as the fight itself, and Edgar Berlanga's entertaining but controversial win over Steven Butler, including a post-fight moment we felt crossed the line.

One of the biggest conversations of the episode compares DAZN's presentation with Zuffa Boxing's approach to broadcasting. One felt like it was covering fights... the other felt like it was selling fighters. We discuss why that distinction matters.

🥊 Episode Includes:

Special Segment

• Edge at the Napa Knockout Charity Event
• CSAC fundraiser benefiting retired fighters

Fight Reviews

• Anthony Joshua vs. Christian Prenga
• Tim Tszyu vs. Errol Spence Jr.
• Josh Kelly vs. Caoimhin Agyarko
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Simon Zachenhuber
• Richardson Hitchins vs. Ricardo Salas
• Edgar Berlanga vs. Steven Butler

Discussion

• Did Anthony Joshua answer the questions after Round 1?
• Is Errol Spence still the same fighter?
• Josh Kelly's continued rise
• Hamzah Sheeraz's underwhelming performance
• DAZN vs. Zuffa Boxing broadcasts
• When commentary becomes part of the story

No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

The Stand Up Guys with Patrick Robles & Edge Brown. 🥊

🎙️ The Stand Up Guys – Episode 45

This week, we spend a lot of time looking backward—and we think that's a good thing.

We begin by remembering Hannah "Hanarchy" Rapp, whose impact on the combat sports community reached far beyond the ring.

From there, we dedicate the heart of the episode to the late Rob Kaman, one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. Through stories from Edge and a deep dive into old-school kickboxing, we revisit Kaman's remarkable career, the rise of the Dutch style, and why his influence is still felt throughout striking sports today.

That conversation naturally leads us into one of our favorite evergreen discussions: Do today's fighters compete enough? We compare activity across different eras, examine the contrast between boxing and Muay Thai, discuss what we consider a fighter's prime years, and explain why we believe four fights a year should still be the goal for elite competitors whenever possible.

We also review the latest action from ONE Championship, Matchroom Boxing, and several other fight cards before wrapping up with the biggest news from around the combat sports world.

🥊 Episode Includes:

Remembering

• Hannah "Hanarchy" Rapp

Tribute

• Rob Kaman
• The Dutch style of kickboxing
• Story Time with Edge

Discussion

• Activity through the eras
• Boxing vs. Muay Thai
• Prime years (21–31)
• Why four fights a year still matters

Business & News

• Jermall Charlo removed from the Spence–Tszyu card
• Vergil Ortiz / Golden Boy developments
• Other breaking combat sports news

Fight Reviews

• ONE Friday Fights 162
• ONE Fight Night 45
• Diego Pacheco vs. Immanuwel Aleem
• Other July 18–25 fight cards

🎙️ Programming Note: We recorded this episode a few days early before Patrick headed to Alaska. A shorter Riverside follow-up covering the weekend's biggest fights and breaking news will be released separately after the events conclude.

No hot takes. Just honest conversation. 🥊

Podcast Links

Rob Kaman Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4mdVzmcDsc&t=154s

Andy Cruz vs. Abraham Montoya (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1khDqh3hWR8

Diego Pacheco vs. Immanuwel Aleem (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Ia4mNEXTc

One Fight Night 45 (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbbG5nx-Qjo

One Friday Fights 162

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0IK2wQvRz0&t=10374s

🎙️ The Stand Up Guys – Episode 44

The combat sports landscape is changing... and it's changing fast.

On this episode of The Stand Up Guys, we take a deep dive into Zuffa Boxing and ask the question everyone seems to be asking: What exactly is the vision? Is Zuffa trying to build boxing's version of the UFC, or is it part of a much bigger strategy centered around Paramount+ and the future of live sports? We each come at the answer from a different direction as more pieces of the puzzle continue to fall into place.

We also discuss Premier Boxing Champions' move to DAZN, a deal that places nearly every major traditional boxing promoter under one streaming platform. Does this remove one of boxing's biggest obstacles to making the fights fans actually want—or, as Patrick puts it, does boxing still have an unmatched ability to get in its own way?

From there, we review UFC 329, where the fights somehow took a backseat to the nonstop gambling advertisements. From Polymarket to massive betting graphics, we ask whether sports betting has fundamentally changed the way fans watch—and argue about—combat sports. We also discuss what comes next for Conor McGregor following another disappointing setback and ask the bigger question: Who's the next crossover superstar?

On the fight side, we break down Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell, relive Niall McGreevy's historic upset at RWS, and review another outstanding night of Muay Thai, including Jaradchai vs. Othman Rhouni.

🥊 Episode Includes:

World Cup Updates

• England reaches the quarterfinals
• Vacation stories
• The Mother of All Clean Ups

Zuffa Boxing

• Jose Valenzuela vs. Edwin De Los Santos
• Turki Alalshikh's reported ownership stake
• Shakur Stevenson signs with Zuffa
• What is Zuffa's long-term vision?

PBC Joins DAZN

• Boxing's changing broadcast landscape
• Is DAZN now the true Global Home of Boxing?
• Will this finally make the biggest fights easier to make?

UFC 329

• Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint Denis
• Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor II
• Betting ads, Polymarket, and the unintended consequences of gambling becoming part of the broadcast

Fight Reviews

• Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell
• RWS 200
• Niall McGreevy's historic upset
• Jaradchai vs. Othman Rhouni

🎙️ One more thing: If you hear Edge coughing throughout the episode... yes, we noticed too. He refused to miss the show, toughed it out, and should be just fine. The show must go on. 🥊

No hot takes. Just honest conversation.

Podcast Links

Hello Mr. Azul 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNBmDlSybpQ&list=RDwNBmDlSybpQ&start_radio=1

Morning Breath Inc.

https://www.morningbreathinc.com/

Jose Valenzuela vs. Edwin De Los Santos (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyPhml1BMGc

UFC 329 (Highlights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7FDVugmI5k

Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell (Highlights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnZ2thhSA58

Tapaokaew vs. Niall McGreevy 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQNxeLSdPgg

One Friday Fights 161

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu0t_ISBVUQ