Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

It's the biggest signing by Zuffa Boxing to date, as four division world champ Shakur Stevenson has agreed to a multi-fight deal with them and also benefactor Turki Alashikh.

And, as part of the announcement, our insider Dan Rafael scored a one on one interview wtih Shakur to discuss why he's making this move now? Stevenson is one of the most talented pound for pound fighters in the sport with wins in his last two fights over William Zepeda and beating champ Teofimo Lopez in a Madison Square Garden PPV main event in January.

Plus, what does Stevenson prefer- defending his WBO junior welterweight crown or potentially moving up to the more competitive and lucrative welterweight division?

He's one of the biggest names in boxing and Shakur is part of this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We're back and ready for a lighter weekend where the most prominent fight is in Russia, of all places. But, we've got a huge name joining us to discuss his new multi-fight promotional deal, and fight news, as well. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!' 

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

First, they preview of Saturday’s IBA/Epic Sports card on DAZN in Moscow

Murat Gassiev vs. Peter Kadiru, for Gassiev’s WBA “regular” heavyweight title. We go over the matchup with the last minute repladcement German and the tepid impact the fight will likely have, but it's a fight for a portion of the heavyweight crown.

In the co-feature Englishman Joe Joyce vs. Russian prospect Artem Suslenkov, 10 rounds, heavyweights. Does Joyce have anything left or will the Russian mow him down?

Then, hear Shakur Stevenson one on one with Dan

He is interviewed hours after the Thursday announcement of his signing with Zuffa Boxing. They disucss what it means for his next fight and when, etc.?

 Next, some news

WBA welterweight titlist Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez announced, presser was Thursday in LA. Aug. 22 at T-Mobile Arena. We go over it.

Also announced at their presser – PBC/DAZN deal. We go over some of the details and is it eventually the end of PBC on Amazon Prime?

The back and forth over the timing of Fury-Joshua continues – Turki Alashikh says the fight will be in the U.K. if the main event is at 2 a.m. London time to accommodate U.S. prime time on Netflix, there’s usually an 11 pm local time  curfew for Wembley events. What are we doing here?!

Former unified heavyweight titleholder Andy Ruiz Jr., who has boxed just three times this decade, will return to the ring to fight on DAZN after signing a multi-fight promotional contract with Matchroom Boxing.

And, the WBO a expected has ordered lineal/unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and interim titlist Callum Smith to begin negotiating the mandatory fight.

Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are back off a weekend of action in Cleveland that saw a dramatic finish to the main event, we have some fight news and some interesting nostalgia all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

They start with the Recap of Saturday night's Top Rank DAZN/TNT “The Fight” show in Cleveland, OH
Lightweight Abdullah Mason TKO12 vs. Albert Bell, retains WBO title. This was a battle and a controversial TKO. Mason has a big future. What is next?

In the co-feature featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington W12 over Rene Palacios, retains WBC title. Shu Shu was good, not great, for most of the fight but things got hairy in the 11th round for some adversity. What are his prospects against other champs in the 126 lb. division.

Dan has more on:

Welterweight Tiger Johnson W10 Christopher Guerrero

Lightweight Deric “Scooter” Davis W8 Carlos Ramos, 135

Junior lightweight Ibrahim Mason TKO2 Erik Hanley

Lightweight Abdurrahman Mason W4 Alvaro Huizar Cabral

Then, some news:

Despite rumors, Sebastian Fundora-"Boots" Ennis three-belt 154 unification won’t be next. Dan has learned from his promotere whom they will fight instead.

Next, an update on possible Oleksandr Usyk-Deontay Wilder fight that is being debated.

Dan has the front runners to replace Tony Yoka to challenge WBA heavyweight titlist Murat Gassiev. They are Germany’s Peter Kadiru and American Brandon Moore this coming Saturday in Moscow.

Next, Dan was texting with WBO welterweight champ Devin Haney on Saturday night, Says he’s working on next fight and not determined if he will make the ordered mandatory vs. Keyshawn Davis, said Gervonta Davis is also “a serious option.”

Queensberry Promotions announced it has signed heavyweight Guido Vianello, the 2016 Italian Olympian. His first fight of the deal is not done yet but in works is him against David Adeleye on the Aug. 29 Moses Itauma-Filip Hrgovic undercard.

Then, some fight of the year candidates thru the first half. Dan's list for debate:

Fight candidates

Junior middleweight Boots Ennis TKO7 Xander Zayas, wins WBO/WBA junior middleweight title, June 27, Brooklyn

Heavyweight Daniel Dubois TKO11 Fabio Wardley, wins WBO title, May 9, Manchester, England

Junior middleweight Conah Walker TKO10 Sam Eggington, May 2 in Walker hometown of Wolverhampton England. DAZN pundit Tony Bellew described it as England’s version of Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward.

Heavyweight Deontay Wilder W12 Derek Chisora,April 4 in London

Light heavyweight Najee Lopez TKO8 Manuel Gallegos, March 13 ProBox card in Kisimmee, Florida

And, they wrap with some Mike Tyson 60th birthday nostalgia, including TJ quizzing big Dan on his memorabilla collection of Tyson's biggest moments.

Hear it all on "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make suret to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We're back on a July 4th holiday weekend (Happy 250 USA!) weekend with a prominent fight card with two world title fights and some interesting fight news to go over, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

First, a preview of the Top Rank DAZN/TNT/truTV “The Fight” debut in Cleveland
Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell,, for Mason’s WBO lightweight title. It's a late change with opponent. Could this fight be a better challenge than the original opponent Joe Cordina of Wales would have been. The boys go over it all.
And, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Rene Palacios, for Carrington’s WBC featherweight title is the co-feature.
And, Tiger Johnson vs. Christopher Guerrero, 10 rounds, welterweights on the undercard too. 
Next, some news

The Federal judge in the Southern Distirict of New York has ruled that CSI the promoter trying to stop Floyd Mayweather's Greece ehibition has LOST the temporary restraining order? What does this mean for Mayweather still trying to fight the exhibition soon? And, will the Mike Tyson exhibition now be delayed, too?

Then, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will face long-faded former title challenger Maruisz Wach on July 24 at Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand, Queensberry Promotions announced on Tuesday. It’s his warm up for the Anthony Joshua fight and as it happens Joshua faces Kristian Prenga the next night Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. WHAT. ARE. WE. DOING,. HERE with this opponent for Fury?!

Dan's reporting that Tony Yoka has a back injury and is out of his July 11th challenge to WBA heavyweight titlist Murat Gassiev in Moscow. Replacement being sought, so goes on.  

Plus, in the wake of Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his heavyweight titles on Saturday, the IBF has ordered Frank Sanchez and Moses Itauma to meet for the vacant title.  Dan believes this fight will negate the Itauma-Hrgovic fight for August 29th.

Next, the WBO on Tuesday ordered welterweight titleholder Devin Haney and mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis to begin negotiations to fight each other next.  What about this fight proposed vs. Shakur Stevenson? The guys have takes.

And, lightweight Edwin De Los Santos is appealing his second-round knockout loss in a rematch with Jose Valenzuela that headlined Zuffa Boxing 08 on Sunday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Valenzuela clearly hit him while he was down.  We give you all the angles.

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

Flamboyant new WBC featherweight champ Bruce "Shu Shu" Carrington is back this weekend on the Top Rank Boxing card this Saturday night July 4th in Cleveland, OH.

But, before we get to his fight night in the co-feature for the Abdullah Mason main event, Shu Shu is with our insider Dan Rafael one on one on this "Fight Freaks Unite" Podcast!

Carrington, 17-0, 10 KOs, who will make his first defense against unbeaten contender Rene Palacios in the co-feature of the DAZN card, which is also the first edition of “The Fight” series that will simulcast on TNT Sports and truTV.

Shu Shu, never at a loss for words, talks the matchup and his desire to become undisputed at 126 lb. as well.

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