Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

It is a lighter weekend of action, but there are women's world title fights in NY and light heavyweight contender Ben Whitaker is back in action in Britain on Saturday. And, we're ready to preview it all and have a bunch of fight news on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to go over it all.

First, they preview the Friday night MVP / ESPN card in NY
Alycia Baumgardner vs. Bo Mi Re Shin, 12 rounds, for Baumgardner’s WBO/IBF/WBA women’s junior lightweight title. Baumgardner is heavily favored and looking ahead to a possible showdown with the likes of WBC lightweight champ Caroline Dubois or maybe a rematch with junior middleweight champ Mikaela Mayer.

Also, Shadasia Green vs. Lani Daniels, 10 rounds, for Green’s WBO/IBF women’s super middleweight title. Green has bigger aspirations and should win in this bout.

Then, Saturday's Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Liverpool, England
Ben Whittaker vs. Braian Suarez, 10 rounds, light heavyweights. Whitaker has potential, but has often been too much clowning and not enough boxing. We'll see what he does as the big favorite on this British show. 

Then, some News
Talks are going for WBC welterweight titlist Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn for Aug. 15 in Las Vegas. Garcia says it's done, but who

 Eddie Hearn told a media scrum on Tuesday that he is negotiating a two-fight deal for Anthony Joshua with Turki for a July fight and then Fury in November.  Joshua to take risk fighting someone before Fury? What are WE DOING HERE?! 

Also, T.J. has insight on why the recent news that the Saudi PIF Fund is going to stop backing the LIV Golf Tour, is pertinent as it relates to Turki Alashikh and whether his unlimited supply of money to make massive fight cards without regard to even "breaking even" will continue much longer?

Next, O’Shaquie Foster will defend the WBC junior lightweight title vs. former WBA featherweight titlist Raymond Ford at the Fertitta Center (Univiersity of Houston about 9k capacity for boxing) in Houston, Texas on May 30 on DAZN, Matchroom announced on Thursday. We talk more about the bout.

Also, Top Rank’s first DAZN event is official for May 16 at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Viriginia, with former lightweight titlist and current junior welterweight Keyshawn Davis at home in a rematch with Nahir Albright in the main event. And, former welterweight titlist Brian Norman vs. Josh Wagner in the 10-round co-feature. Dan has thoughts on both.

Then, WBC/WBA flyweight titlist Ricardo Sandoval and WBC interim titlist Galal Yafai will meet in a mandatory bout on the undercard of WBC junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith’s mandatory versus former titlist Alberto Puello June 6 in Sheffield, England.

Next, with Brandon Adams withdrawing on the eve of last Saturday’s IBF 154 final eliminator vs. Caoimhin Agyarko due to a health issue, the IBF has ordered Agyarko vs. former titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev for the mandatory spot. Murtazaliev notified the IBF he'll participate. Agyarko has until Monday to accept a position in the fight.

And, finally, former WBO cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith has signed “a multi-fight deal” with Zuffa Boxing, the company announced this week. Obvious future opponent for Opetaia.

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

It's arguably the greatest first round, if not greatest round period, in boxing history, as April 15th, 1985 Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns unleahed three incredible minutes of pure violence on each other.

And now, we look back on the magnitude of that opening round on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael and these segments you'll hear are from a full/longer conversation that they had with legendary HBO Sports play by play announcer Barry Tompkins and fellow legendary analyst Al Bernstein, who did the live closed circuit broadcast that night.

While those guys were on seperate calls of the fight, they have great memories about the build up and the EPIC opening round.

Re-live the nostalgia of one of the great nights in boxing history that was summed up, spontaneously by Tomkins with "This is still the first round!" as they recount it with us!

It's part of our coverage on this podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was another busy fight weekend primarily with the Ring/Netflix show in London but in other parts of the globe, as well. And, we go over it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

First up is the recap of the Saturday Ring magazine Netflix card in London
Heavyweight Tyson Fury W12 Arslanbek Makhmudov – Fury gets the expected win in his first fight in almost a year and a half. But, more interesting was the back and forth with with Anthony Joshua afterwards and will they fight next/soon?

Then, a recap of the junior middleweight co-feature Conor Benn decisions Regis Prograis over 10 rounds. Benn had some adversity with cuts and Prograis landing some on him too. But, he wins easily, so now, what's next at welterweight?

Also, Heavyweight Richard Riakporhe TKO5 Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva, and wins British title Heavyweight.Plus, Justis Huni W10 Frazer Clarke. A good win, but a legal mess with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, too.

Then, a Recap of the Saturday Teiken Boxing main event in Tokyo
Bantamweight Tenshin Nasukawa TKO9 Juan Francisco Estrada, WBC final eliminator. Nasukawa wins and is it time for Estrada to hang'em up? 
And, a recap of Thursday Eye of the Tiger DAZN main event in Montreal
Super middleweight Osleys Iglesias TKO8 Pavel Silyagin, wins vacant IBF title. Big Dan is high on Iglesias and his potential.
 
Next, some news
Junior middleweight contender Brandon Adams collapsed on Friday, was taken to the hospital, and his IBF title elimination fight against unbeaten Caoimhin Agyarko on Saturday was canceled. We have the latest on Adams.

Next, the IRS has filed a $7.3 million lien against Floyd Mayweather for unpaid taxes in the years 2018 and 2023. Obviously, not good for Mayweather at this point.

Future hall of famer Canelo Alvarez, while recovering from elbow surgery that will keep him out until September, has enrolled in college at San Diego University for Integrative Studies, he announced on Instagram. Canelo taking classes?! We have more.

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

We are back and ready to go with a large show involving arguably the two biggest names in British boxing on the same show + some world title fights being made and more on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to to over it all.

They start with the preview of the Saturday Ring magazine/Netflix card at Tottemham Hotspur Stadium in London
Tyson Fury returns vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov, 12 rounds, heavyweights. What does "The Gypsy King" really have left? Can Makhmudov test him at all? 

Then, the co-feature, Conor Benn battles Regis Prograis, 10 rounds, junior middleweights. Benn leaves Matchroom Boxing and this fight is leading to bigger things later in 2026. And two heavyweights fights- 
Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva vs. Richard Riakporhe, 12 rounds, for Tshikeva’s British heavyweight title and Justis Huni vs. Frazer Clarke, 10 rounds, heavyweights  

Next a preview of the DMG PPV main event Saturday at Cosmoplotan of Las Vegas

Brandon Adams meets Caoimhin Agyarko, 12 rounds, IBF junior middleweight eliminator. Is there much here? Dan gives his take.j 

And, also a preview of Teiken Promotions Japan card Saturday early morning US time on DAZN
Future hall of famer Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Tenshin Nasukawa, 12 rounds, WBC bantamweight final eliminator 

Then, some news
Abdullah Mason will make his first WBO lightweight title defense against former junior lightweight titleholder Joe Cordina in the main event of a Top Rank card on July 4 on DAZN in Mason’s hometown of Cleveland, per sources

It will headline the 1st event that will also air on TNT as part of a deal between DAZN and TNT announced on Wednesday. We have more details.

IBF 140 lb. titlist Richardson Hitchins and super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga sign with Zuffa Boxing, as does heavyweight Otto Wallin. Will Hitchins in particular make his mandatory defense against Lindolfo Delgado or not on a Zuffa card?

Next, we have Injury updates on Deontay Wilder and Tim Tszyu following their Saturday bouts from Dan. And also, WBO interim light heavyweight titlist Callum Smith has suffered an injury and his mandatory defense against David Morrell scheduled to headline a Matchroom Boxing card on April 18 (DAZN) at M&S Bank Arena in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool, England, is off. The card will go forward with Ben Whittaker’s 10-rounder against Braian Suarez, the original co-feature, will now headline. 

And, O’Shaquie Foster will defend the WBC junior lightweight title against Raymond Ford in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card on May 30 (DAZN) in the Houston area. While, unified women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano will defend against Cheyenne Hanson in the co-feature of MVPW-03 headlined by the rematch between WBA women’s lightweight titlist Stephanie Hand and Holly Holm also on May 30 (ESPN, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET) at El Paso County Coliseum in Han’s hometown of El Paso, Texas, Most Valuable Promotions announced along with additional undercard fights.

It's all on this edition of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to rate and review us on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are off the weekend that has seen a heavyweight showdown in England that was long on sloppy, big punching and also Tim Tszyu's Aussie return. And, we go over it all on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives is back with Insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter

First they recap Saturday’s MF Pro DAZN PPV in London
Deontay Wilder W12 Derek Chisora. This fight appealed to Big Dan and he talks why. Plus,
Viddal Riley W12 Mateusz Masternak, IBF cruiser eliminator and wins European title. And, Denzel Bentley TKO7 Endry Saavedra, wins vacant WBO interim middleweight crown.

Next, a recap of Saturday’s No Limit/PBC on Prime Video card at Wollongong, Australia
Tim Tszyu W10 Denis Nurja (157 pounds). Tszyu looked good and his Errol Spence going to be next?
And, Sam Goodman W12 Rodrigo Ruiz, in an IBF junior featherweight eliminator. 

Also, a recap of Sunday’s MVP ESPN+ card
Lightweight Caroline Dubois W10 Terri Harper, and unifies WBC/WBO women’s titles
Junior featherweight Ellie Scotney W10 Mayelli Flores, unifies all four to become women’s undisputed Junior middleweight Chantelle Cameron W10 Michaela Kotaskova, wins vacant WBO title, Mayer next   
Another Recap Friday’s Treasure Boxing main event in Tokyo
Junior flyweight Rene Santiago W12 Masataka Taniguchi, retains the WBO/WBA titles.

Recap Friday’s Matchroom Boxing on DAZN in Altrincham, England 
Cruiserweight Pat Brown a prospect TKO8 Vasil Ducar
Junior middleweight William Crolla KO7 Glenn Byrne  in a WILD FIGHT! WithCrolla down four times, but,rallies for a KO of the year contender! 

News
Turki Alashikh announces full Oleksandr Usyk- Rico Verhoeven heavyweight title fight undercard. Dan has the details.

Per sources,Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright headlines first Top Rank DAZN card May 16 in Norfolk, VA. The guys discuss. 

Per sources to Dan, June 20 is the date in the works for the vacant WBC lightweight title fight between William Zepeda and Lamont Roach Jr.

And, Zuffa Boxing has announced their latest card for May and Dan has more on the main event.

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