Big Fight Weekend

T.J. Rives

T.J. Rives gets you ready for every big fight in the sport of Boxing on his "Big Fight Weekend" podcast. From analysis to outstanding guest interviews, to the latest news and predictions on the biggest fights in the sport, T.J. covers it all on Big Fight Weekend.

  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Oleksandr Usyk Rematches Tyson Fury, Fight News And Prince Nassem Hamed Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast

    It's a heavyweight title rematch as we near the end of 2024 and host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return to preview Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury II and the undercard and more on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast!

    The guys begin with Saturday's Riyadh Season card on DAZN PPV Usyk and "The Gypsy King" rematch, for Usyk’s WBC/WBO/WBA and lineal heavyweight titles. Will it be a replay of the Ukrainian's great performance in May or will Fury get his revenge/titles back?

    Plus, Dan has more on the Serheii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis WBC final junior middleweight eliminator bout in the co-feature. Plus, rising Moses Itauma meets massive Australian Demsey McKean in a heavyweight clash and Peter McGrail and also, Johnny Fisher are in action too.


    Then, some News with Dan reporting on Top Rank’s Feb 14th ESPN card at MSG Theater: Keyshawn Davis to challenge Denys Berinchyk for his WBO lightweight title, plus other fights for the show.

    He also has more on the Lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who will now face David Nyika January 8 in the DAZN main event in Australia. Opetaia was due to fight mandatory Huseiyn Cinkara but he suffered an ankle injury. So, now he will face Nyika, a 2020 Olympic bronze medalist from New Zealand, he sparred many rounds with.

    There's info on Jack Catterall-Arnold Barnoza in a WBO 140 final eliminator nearly set. Plans for February 15 on DAZN in Manchester. And, IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo is headed to Tomoki Kameda’s hometown of Osaka, Japan, for a mandatory defense off winning the title by massive KO10 of Luis Alberto Lopez in August. The deal is agreed to.

    Then, a wrap up of some of the stuff that came out of the recently finished WBC convention – some mandatories, eliminators, announcement of the “Boxing Grand Prix” prospect tournament, etc.


    Finally, some Nostalgia

    December 19, 1997 – 27 years ago on Thursday – Prince Naseem Hamed's thrilling KO4 Kevin Kelley to retain the WBO featherweight title in his U.S./HBO debut at Madison Square Garden. The bout had an absurd Hamed ring walk followed by an absolutely epic shootout and one of the best fights of the 1990s. Six knockdowns in less than four rounds, both guys down 3x each.

    And tremendous co-feature people forget because the main event was so great: Kennedy McKinney TKO4 Junior "Poison" Jones to win WBO junior featherweight title. Both guys down in another wild fight. 

    A year later on Dec. 19, 1998 – 26 years ago on Thursday – Floyd Mayweather's first 130 lb. title defense and destroys top contender Angel Mandredy in round 2 and big time heavyweight in HBO co-feature with David Tua TKO10 Hasim Rahman in their first fight, controversial stoppage. Great doubleheader.

    It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
    20 December 2024, 3:21 am
  • 43 minutes 26 seconds
    Jaime Munguia Kayoed In Shocker, Wild Rocha-Curiel Golden Boy Main Event + News And Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast
    On the latst edition of the show, host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter return to go over numerous fights this weekend. This included one of the most shocking KO/upsets of 2024, as well.

    That came in the Saturday Zanfer/ESPN+ show from Tijuana, Mexico, as little known Bruno Surace of France knocked about former super middleweight title challenger  Jaime Munguia in his hometown! Big Dan has more on what happened and what does this do to Munguia's future?

    Also, Saturday in the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN show from Monte Carlo, Monaco fomer world champ 
    Murodjon Akhmadaliev captured the WBA interim 122 lb. title with a third round KO of Ricardo Espinoza. We go over the win and what it means for Akhmadailiev in '25?

    And, back in North America in the Golden Boy/DAZN show from Ontario, CA, Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel put on a wild weltereweight main event draw. And, it looks like we'll do it again.

    There's news as Australian Sam Goodman is cut in training, and his scheduled Dec 24th challenge against undisputed 122 lb. champ Naoya Inoue is now delayed  to January 24th. Dan has the details on what went down.

    And finally, Nostalgia as:

    Dec. 14, 2019 – 5 years ago Saturday – Terence Crawford scored a TKO over "Mean Machine" Kavaliauskas to retain his WBO 147 lb. title in one of his toughest fights he's had. Plus, Teofimo Lopez bombed Richard Commey in co-feature to win his first world title, IBF 135 tile. Dan was ringside at MSG.

    Dec. 17, 2016 – 8 years ago on Tuesday – Joe Smith Jr. kayoed hall of famer Bernard Hopkins litterally out of the ring in the fight that Big Dan says he “made.” It was BHop’s last fight and Da was ringside at The Forum in Inglewood, CA.

    And we look back on the one year anniversary of Showtime signing off from boxing (A David Morrell TKO in the second over Sena Agbeko main event) and that was it after 37 years of fights on their network and PPV. And, the sport is worse for it.

    Hear it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
    16 December 2024, 3:12 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Jaime Munguia Returns In Tijuana, Fight News And Arturo Gatti Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast
    We have fights all over the globe this weekend and we're ready to preview them, go over some fight news and some classic Arturo Gatti are all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

    Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com.

    First, they talk Saturday’s Zanfer Promotions/ESPN+ card from Tijuana, Mexico, as 
    favorite son Jaime Munguia meets Frenchman Bruno Surace in a scheduled 10 round, super middleweight battle. Dan also previews the undercard bout with Alan David Picasso taking on Isaac Sackey in a unior featherweight clash.
     
    Next it's Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card from Monte Carlo, Monaco with the main event seeing Murodjon Akhmadaliev squaring off with Ricardo Espinoza, for vacant WBA interim junior featherweight title. The winner is in the picture for a possible Naoya Inoue bout down the road.
     
    Back to the USA and Saturday’s Golden Boy/DAZN card from Ontario, Calif. with Alexis Rocha returning to action against Raul Curiel in a 12 rounds welterweight battle. and Sunday in Gibraltar on DAZN British heavyweight former title challenger Dillian Whyte meets veteran Ebenezer Tetteh in a 10 rounder.
     
    There's fight news inlcuding at this week’s WBC convention: Mauricio Sulaiman re-elected as president for third four-year term and Badou Jack re-instated as their cruiserweight champion; etc. Also, On the card in Hamburg associated with the WBC convention, former featherweight titlist Billy Dib, who was near death from cancer and given six months to live a few years ago, had his first fight in nearly three years – a farewell bout – and won an 8 rounder at lightweight. Dan loves Dib.

    Queensberry Promotions has announced WBA featherweight titlis Nick Ball will make his next defense against former junior featherweight titlist TJ Doheny in a second straight Liverpool, England, hometown defense, on March 15. The guys discuss.

    And prominent world title referee Jack Reiss announces retirement but will still judge fights in the future.

    We finish with Nostalgia as Dec. 12, 1998 – 26 years ago Thursday – the epic Ivan Robinson-Arturo Gatti rematch too place in an HBO main event and Fernando Vargas scored a TKO over "Yory Boy" Campas to win the IBF 154 title at age 21 in the co-feature.

    And on Dec. 14, 2013 – 11 years ago on Saturday – Marcos Maidana decisioned Adrien Broner to win the WBA welterweight title on a big Showtime card at the Alamodome. Rafael was ringside with memories of it all.

    It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 
    13 December 2024, 3:11 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    Emanuel Navarrete And Rafael Espinoza Score Title KOs, News + Mayweather And Pacquiao Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast
    It's the latest editon of the recap show as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back with plenty to go over from Arizona to Puerto Rico and even, Bulgaria. And, they add some fight news and great nostalgia.

    First, they go over Saturday’s Top Rank/ESPN card from Phoneix, as Emanuel Navarrete wipes out Oscar Valdez in their rematch and retains the WBO junior lightweight title. What's the future for both?

    Then, Rafael Espinoza stops Robeisy Ramirez in a bizarre re-enactment of the Roberto Duran's famous "No Mas" against Sugar Ray Leonard in the Saturday rematch with Ramirez to retain the WBO featherweight title. What was really going on with Ramirez's eye and will Espinoza end up on the track to move up and fight Navarrete?


    Next, It's Saturday’s Matchroom/DAZN card from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Richardson Hitchins defeated Liam Paro by decision and wins IBF junior welterweight title. It was at times a dull bout, but Hitchins was clearly better. And, what's n store for him?
     
    Dan also has more on Saturday’s Epic Sports/DAZN card from Sofia, Bulgaria, where heavyweighKubrat Pulev decisioned Mahmoud Charr, for the WBA “regular” title.
     
    Then, some news, including: 

    Canelo Alvarez spoke to the media scrum in at a restaurant opening in California and opens door to Crawford fight, and on working with Turki and a possible Jake Paul fight?

    Not shoicking, but Israil Madrimov is suffering from "acute bronchitis" and withdrew from the Dec 21 fight with Serheii Bohachuk, who will instead face replacement Ishmael Davis. It's expected Madrimov recover and get ready for Vergil Ortiz on Feb. 22 on another Riyadh card.

    Finally, it's Nostalgia as on 

    Dec. 8 – 17 years ago Sunday – Floyd Mayweather retains lineal/WBC welterweight title by highlight-reek KO in 10th of junior welterweight champion Ricky 'Hitman" Hatton in as big a fight as there was in the era. Wildest fight week ever. 30K Brits come to Vegas and the MGM runs out of beer!  Dan was ringside for it all.

    Also, on Dec. 8 – 12 years ago Sunday – Juan Manuel Marquez, on verge of being stopped, scores one of greatest KOs of all time as he puts newly elected hall of famer Manny Pacquiao to sleep, face first with one shot at the end of RD 6 in their 4th and final fight. This was his only win of the series and the only result of the series that was definitive. It was the KO of the year, Fight of the Year, Fight of the decade. Big Dan was ringside at the MGM Grand.

    And, Sunday is also Bob Arum turned 93 years old. We give a little Arum appreciation on his amazing career.

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

    9 December 2024, 4:07 am
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez II + Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins, Manny Pacquiao Leads HOF Class And More! | BFW Preview Podcast
    It's a jammed packed first weekend of December and we're ready to go over it all on the latest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast." Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of Big Fight Weekend are back to go over it all:

    They start with the Top Rank ESPN card Saturday in Phoenix, AZ as Emanuel Navarrete meets Oscar Valdez in a rematch, for Navarrete’s WBO junior lightweight title. And, in the co-feature, Rafael Espinoza battles Robeisy Ramirez in another rematch, for Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title. Two very even fights and the guys give some thoughts.

    Next, it's the Matchroom DAZN card Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Liam Paro meets Richardson Hitchins for Paro’s IBF junior welterweight title. They go over the matchup and why in Puerto Rico? 

    Dan also wants discussion from Sofia, Bulgaria as heavyweights Mahmoud Charr vs. Kubrat Pulev are fighting for Charr’s WBA “regular” heavyweight title  

    Then, there's news as the International Boxing Hall of Fame election results were announced Thursday led by Manny Pacquiao and his amazing resume. Also Michael Nunn, Vinny Paz are in in the "modern men" category. Big Dan has problems with one of them.

    And among many others going in are referee Kenny Bayless in the non participants and HBO’s Ross Greenburg in observer categories.
     
    Sad news is covered as former three-time junior featherweight champion Israel Vazquez died on Monday from cancer. He was 46. He's known best for the epic rivalry with Rafael Marquez, two of their four bouts were the fight of the year.  

    The boys talk the announcement of the full mega card for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Feb. 22:

    Undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol 2 IBF heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield WBC middleweight titleholder Carlos Adames vs. No. 1 contender Hamzah Sheeraz WBC interim junior middleweight titlist Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov (who fights first Dec. 21 vs Sergei Bohachuk, as Jaron Ennis ducked the fight) Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel for vacant WBC interim heavyweight title and also, a WBO interim light heavyweight titlist Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith.

    Finally theire's nostalgia as Dec. 4, 1999 – 25 years ago Wednesday – Fernando Vargas retains 154 title vs. future HOFer Winky Wright in a very close HBO fight  

    And, on Dec. 6, 2008 – 16 years ago Friday – Manny Pcquiao scores a huge TKO upset as he destroys Oscar De La Hoya and sends him into retirement. Dan was ringside for it all.

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

    6 December 2024, 4:17 am
  • 7 minutes 23 seconds
    Emanuel Navarrete Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    It's fight week for the rematch for Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez as they battle for Navarrete's WBO 130 lb. world title Saturday night. And, before he headlines the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card  in Phoenix "Vaquero' Navarrete joins our insider Dan Rafael one on one (through an interpreter)..

    They covered several topics: How he thinks this fight will differ from their action-packed first fight that Navarrete won by decision; what it was like having that bout promoted like the great fights between his Mexican countrymen Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera (who both helped promote the bout and were ringside and Navarrete's thoughts on his draw with Robson Conceicao followed by his loss to Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight title. And, why is he making the decision to return to junior lightweight to face Valdez again in the mandatory bout, thoughts on someday returning to lightweight in an effort to win a title in a fourth division; and more.

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

    3 December 2024, 7:10 pm
  • 52 minutes 13 seconds
    Gal Yafai Wins Over Sunny Edwards, Boots vs. Ortiz Now Not Happening? + Sugar Ray Leonard Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast
    It's the latest edition of our show off the Thanksgiving weekend, as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter go over it all headed into December:

    They start with Saturday’s Matchroom/DAZN card in Birmingham, England Galal Yafai stop Sunny Edwards in the sixth round to win the vacant WBC interim flyweight title. Edwards looked like a fighter who is done and basically, said so after the 2nd round to his corner. What about that and the future of Yafai off the win?

    Then, there's news as Dan has his reporting on the proposed Vergil Ortiz vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis bout for February in Saudi Arabia went falling apart Saturday over Ennis seeking 147 pounds instead  of 154 lb. So, the Saudis reached out to WBC/WBO titlist Sebastian Fundora to replace Boots, but were turned down because he has other plans.

    The guys go over the official announcement that lightweight titlist Gervonta “Tank” Davis will defend vs. junior lightweight titlist Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1 (Prime Video PPV) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Presser on Tuessday Barclays Center.

    Dan is also reporting that WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose Valenzuela will make his first defense against Gary Antuanne Russell on the March 1 PPV card.  

    And, the IBF has ordered a final heavyweight title eliminator between Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba for the right to become Daniel Dubois’ mandatory. Bakole promoter Queensberry and Ajagba promoter Top Rank have until Dec. 11 to conclude negotiations for the bout, which both fighters indicated in writing to the IBF they were interested in pursuing.  

    We wrap with Nostalgia of Nov. 30, 1979 -- 45 years ago on Saturday -- as the great Sugar Ray Leonard TKO'ed Wilfred Benitz to win the WBC welterweight title in one of the greatt performances of his career. Plus, earlier that night, Marvelous Marvin Hagler suffered a bad draw vs. Vito Antuofermo for the undisputed middleweight title live on ABC network TV in prime time. 

    And, Dec. 2, 2000 – 24 years ago on Monday – Felix Trinidad stopped Fernando Vargas to unify the WBA and IBF junior middleweight titles in the greatest 154 title fight ever. Dan was ringside at Mandalay Bay in Vegas.

    Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 
    2 December 2024, 3:21 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Emanuel Navarrete Joins Dan + Sunny Edwards Battles Gal Yafai, News And Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast
    It's a post Thanksgiving edition of the show, as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return to go over the one prominent fight of the weekend and hear from a muti-division world champ and more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

    First, the guys talk Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Birmingham, England as former world champ Sunny Edwards battles. Galal Yafai, for vacant WBC interim flyweight title. These two have history as amateurs that make this bout more intriguing.

    Next, hear Dan with Emanuel Navarrete as he defends the WBO junior lightweight title in a mandatory rematch with interim titlist Oscar Valdez in the Top Rank/ESPN main event Dec. 7 in Phoenix. The hard hitting Navarrete has had some struggles of late, but he does own a win over Valdez. 

    Then, there's plenty of news as Dan broke the story of the probable lineup for the Feb. 22 "Riyadh Season" card: Heavyweight Daniel Dubois meets Joseph Parker, for Dubois’ IBF title and also, 
    light heavyweights Artur Beterbiev will battle Dmitry Bivol in a rematch for Beterbiev’s undisputed title.

    Dan has also learned that junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. will likely fight Jaron “Boots” Ennis, for Ortiz’s WBC interim title in what would be a compelling bout between the two unbeatens. And, middleweight Carlos Adames likely takes on top contender  Hamzah Sheeraz, for Adames’ WBC title.

    Plus, Dan is hearing of a possible Shakur Stevenson against top prospect/contender Floyd Schfield world lightweight title boutbeing added to card. 

    The guys discuss Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions taking the rare step to address speculation and rumor that there were stipulations in the Mike Tyson bout like there would be no knockdowns, etc. 

    We have more on Teofimo Lopez announcing on social media that Eddy Reynoso will now train him along with his dad.  

    Dan is also reporting that Edgar Berlanga is slated to headline on a Matchroom/DAZN card March 8 in Puerto Rico, his first time fighting there and his first fight since the loss challenging super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in September.  

    Finally, some Nostalgia as on.November 26, 1982 -- 42 years ago on Tuesday – Larry Holmes brutally dominated Randall “Tex” Cobb In Houston to retain the WBC heavyweight title live on ABC in such a one-sided destruction that legendary figure Howard Cosell quit boxing commentating.  

    And also, on November 27th  2004 – 20 years ago on Wednesday – Mexican legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales met in very close fight, as Barrera won the WBC junior lightweight title in the EPIC third fight of their legendary trilogy. Barrera goes 2-1 in the series and Big Dan was ringside at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

    It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 
    29 November 2024, 2:29 am
  • 56 minutes
    Golden Boy Boxing President Eric Gomez And English Boxing Contributor David Payne | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast
    It's a special edition of our "recap" pod off a light weekend with no major main events world wide. So, both insider Dan Rafael and host T.J. Rives bring you extended, interesting interviews on recent action and upcoming possible matchups on the "Fight Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

    First, hear Dan with Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy Promotions, who joins him off the "Latino Night" successful card 9 days ago in Saudi Arabia. Eric talks about Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez and the rest of the fighters, like William Zepeda at lightweight, that Oscar De La Hoya has in his stable that were on that show. And, what's next for some of them.

    Dan also goes over the possibility of another Golden Boy star, Vergil Ortiz, and him possibly meeting Jaron Ennis coming up for early next year as part of another Saudi card.

    Then, T.J. brings on David Payne, the "Boxing Writer" from England, who runs his own site www.boxingwriter.co.uk and they discuss the recent Jake Paul-Mike Tyson card briefly. Most importantly is the back and forth on the Amanda Serrano-Katie Taylor women's undisputed 140 lb. title battle and whether the decision was that controversial? And, he previews a bit the Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai DAZN main event from Birmingham, England this Saturday night, as these guys have a lot of gym history and amateur battles of note. 

    It's all on a different version of the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 
    25 November 2024, 3:35 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Ryan Garcia And Hamza Sheeraz News, Benavidez-Morrell Meet Media + Gatti-Ward And Mike Tyson Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast
    It's defintely a different "preview" version of the pod, as there are no major fights worldwide to speak of this week. Still T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are back to go over a bunch of fight news and some historic nostalgia anniversaries on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."


    Everybody is calling out Jake Paul off his massive event/financial windfall and the list includes– Andre Ward, Carl Froch, Oliver McCall, Tony Bellew, Artur Beterbiev and Daniel Dubois. The boys discuss the nonsense.
    Also, PBC’s David Benavidez-David Morrell kickoff presser was Tuesday in LA for their upcoming light heavy contender fight.
    Ryan Garcia, who is suspended in the United States until at least April, is going to Tokyo for an PPV exhibition bout in December vs. Japanese kickboxing star Rukiya Anpo at 153 pounds for eight two-minute rounds. What does this all mean?
    Dan has more that while not signed, a deal is being finalized for WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames to defend vs. English rising star Hamza Sheeraz on Feb. 22 on the Riyadh Season card in the works

    More wild aged heavyweights, as former WBC titlist Oliver McCall, age 59,  KO’d Stacey Frazier, age 54, in round 2 on Tuesday night to become the oldest former heavyweight titlist to win a fight.

     And, Lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia will make mandatory defense vs. Huseiyn Cinkara Jan. 8 in Australian homecoming. Further, a deal is made for WBA welterweight titlist Eimantas Stanionis vs. mandatory Shakhram Giyasov.

    For the nostalgia
    Nov. 23, 2002 – 22 years ago on Saturday -- Arturo Gatti W10 Micky Ward in the rematch of the all-time legendary trilogy. Dan was ringside and has his rememberances.

    Nov. 22, 1986 – 38 years ago Friday – Mike Tyson kayoed Trevor Berbick in the 2nd round to become, at age 20, the youngest heavyweight champion and he ushers in a new era in boxing.

    Nov. 21, 1987 – 37 years ago Thursday – Julio Cesar Chavez moves up to lightweight and lays a beating on fellow Hall of Famer Edwin Rosario, stopping him round 11 to win the WBA lightweight title in a huge Mexico-PR fight. It's arguably the finest performance of Chavez’s career.

    And, last but definitely not least, Nov. 21, 1976 – 48 years ago on Thursday – “Rocky” is released in theaters! The boys have lots of nostalgia on the film that began the EPIC series from Sylvester Stallone and others.


    It's all on this "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
    22 November 2024, 3:27 am
  • 1 hour 50 minutes
    Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson + Classic Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano Rematch, Zurdo Wins In Saudi And More! | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    It was an exciting and wild weekend of action as the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout finally happened in North Texas, but the co-feature fight was the bigger action/drama. Meanwhile half way around the world in Saudi Arabia Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez was impressive to become unified at cruiserweight. And, we are ready to recap it all on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are raring to go.

    They begin with the obvious problems that Netflix had in their first ever live boxing venture as millions and millions of fans eperienced techinal difficulties streaming the fight. And, what does it mean for the streamer and it's fight future, etc.

    Then, the guys get to the long anticipated Paul meeting with "Iron Mike," which went about as expected with Tyson being largley worn out after the second or third round and Paul got the easy decision. Dan has thoughts on the spectacle and on where both guys go from here?

    Next, T.J. is FROSTY at what he believes was a robbery decision of Amanda Serrano being denied a rematch win against Katie Taylor for the undisputed women's 140 lb. crowns. And, he's got lots of data on the incompetent judging late in the fight. He and Dan debate. And, they talk about Mario Barrios struggling to defend his welterweight title.

    The guys turn to the "Latino Night" card in Saudi Arabia for Golden Boy Boxing and Riyadh Season, as Zurdo dominated Chris Billam-Smith for the unified cruiserweight title by easy decision. Ramirez really pounded CBS in the back half of the fight. Dan has more on the potential next fights for Zurdo. They also recap a very compelling undercard that saw Oscar Collazo score a KO to unify at strawweight, William Zepeda struggle with Tevin Farmer and a lackluster co-main.


    There's fight news on the announced David Benavidez-David Morrell February PPV for Vegas and the undercard. And, Matchroom also has a looming January Vegas show that will likely feature Diego Pacheco.

    And, finally, some nostalgia on Lennox Lewis regaining his heavyweight belts by booming KO over Hasim Rahman 23 years ago this weekend and Roy Jones dominating James Toney 30 years ago, as well.

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

    18 November 2024, 3:07 am
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