8 JUL 2024 · A wild weekend of fights with titles on the line, horrible judging and some interesting outcomes is a big part of the discussion and you also get to hear from IBF welterweight champ Jaron "Boots" Ennis talks with us prior to his Philly title defense Saturday night, too. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast." Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com are back give their thoughts and analysis on all. They talk the Shakur Stevenson WBC lightweight title win in the Top Rank Boxing main event in Newark, NJ. They talk Stevenson's free agent prospects and future, as well. They guys spend lots of times on the HORRIFIC split decision loss for WBC junior lightweight champ O'Shaquie Foster. Robson Conceicao got the gift win of a lifetime and the sport continues to suffer. Dan also talks the wins by Keyshawn Davis and Abdullah Mason, as well. There's discussion of the Golden Boy main event in Ontario, CA win by unbeaten, top lightweight contender William Zepeda Zeepeda mowed down Giovanni Cabrera by third round TKO. And most importantly, will he be on the docket for a title shot next and could it be Shakur Stevenson? Next, they go over the Fanmio PPV that saw former UFC starts Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal meet in the main event in Anaheim, CA. And, also a huge career moving win for Shane  Mosley Jr. over former two time world champ Daniel Jacobs in the super middleweight division. Then, T.J. and Dan discuss the Johnny Fisher first round bombing of Alan Babic in their Matchroom Boxing London main eevnt and what does it mean for Fisher's rise and short term future.  And, they wrap with the Fernando Martinez upset of Kaz Ioka for the WBA/IBF super flyweight titles on Sunday night in Japan. Martinez dominated the Japanese star in a true upset, but once again, there was a HORRIBLE 12-0 card against Ioka, too. Bad judging knows no continent it won't find. There's fight news on a Brit that could be Canelo's next opponent and also, the pathetic, racist rantings of Ryan Garcia is the latest chapter in his downward spiral. T.J. and Dan talk whether he's ruined for awhile or even, maybe for good, at this point? Finally, there's nostalgia on the anniversary more bad judging and discipline from it in a Paul Williams decision win over Erislandy Lara world title fight 13 years and Dan was there. There's also an anniversary of future hall of famer Nonto Donaire's "coming out party" with a big KO on Showtime. And, Dan has thoughts and great personal stories on the what would have been legendary, hall of fame trainer and commentator Emanuel Steward's 80th birthday.  Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreker/Spotify, etc.

5 JUL 2024 · It's a jammed packed weekend with fight cards all over the USA, the U.K. and even, a title unification in Japan on Sunday, too. We're ready to talk the bouts, the news and some great heavyweight title nostalgia from July 4th in the early 1900s, as well on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com to give us the insight on the weekend and all that's happening.  We start with the Top Rank card in Newark, NJ as Shakur Stevenson defends his newly won WBC lightweight title against Artem Harutyunyan in a 12 rounder. We've well documented and hear from Shakur himself that this could be his last bout with Top Rank as their deal is expiring. How big a night must he have for leverage for his future? It's discussed. The guys go over the rest of the card including O'Shaquie Foster defending the WBC 130 lb. crown against Robson Conceicao in the co feature. Plus, Keyshawn Davis and Abdullah Mason both fight on the televised undercard too. The guys also talk the Anaheim, CA PPV for former UFC stars Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing in a 10 round main event, but more prominently in the co-feature bout between veteran former two time champ Daniel Jacobs battling Shane Mosley Jr. in need of a signature in an intriguing super middleweight co-feature bout. Then, there's more, including the Golden Boy Boxing show in nearby Ontario, CA, as consensus #1 lightweight contender, unbeaten William Zepeda looks to soldify a world title shot fighting Giovanni Cabrera in the main event. One of our hosts believes that Zepeda should be Skakur Stevenson's next fight should they both win convincingly Saturday night. The guys also talk the Matchroom Boxing Saturday afternoon U.S. time, heavyweight clash between England's Johnny Fisher and Alan Babic in a scheduled 10 rounder, but will likely end with big punches and a KO from someone earlier than that. And, the fight previews wrap with the Sunday (early morning USA time) junior bantamweight WBA/IBF world title unifiication bout between Japn's Kaz Ioka and Argentina's Fernando Martinez in a 12 round showdown. The winner will potentially have big leverage to fight American Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez down the road for his WBC belt. There's fight news involving the WBA stripping two of it's champs a female and a male for testing positive for PEDs. Dan has the specifics. And, there are two interesting American names that Queensberry Promotions has signed that will be in the ring soon for them.  Finally, some nostalgia on the Anniversary of Wladimir Klitschko defeating David "Ouch, my Toe" Haye in a heavyweight title defense in 2011. Plus, two more historically significant bouts took place in the early 1990s on July 4th 1910, as Jack Johnson, the most dominant heavyweight of the early part of the 20'th century, defeated Jim Jeffries in the first of several "Fight of the Century" bouts. And, Jack Dempsey "The Manassas Mauler" clobbering a much bigger Jess Willard to win the heavyweight crown in 1919. Hea it all on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make suret to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

2 JUL 2024 · Coming up Saturday night July 6th, 2024 in Newark, NJ, newly crowned WBC lightweight champ Shakur Stevenson is ready to make his first title defense in the Top Rank Boxing/ESPN main event. However, before things get rolling Saturday night with one of the premier smaller weight U.S. boxing champs, our Dan Rafael had a one on one conversation with Shakur on a couple of compelling subjects. One, is this going to be his last fight with Top Rank Boxing, as their deal is expiring after this bout? And, related, two- what does this mean for Shakur's next couple of fights and hopes to either unifiy at 135 lb. or get a more prominent opponent of some kind on a PPV, etc? Plus, they discuss how important Shakur feels about fighting in front of his home fans in Newark, again, againstt Artem Harutyunyan. Hear Shakur with Dan in this exclusive conversation before fight week begins here as part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make suret to follow/subscribe to the Big Fight Weekend podcast feed. And, make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

1 JUL 2024 · Some big world title wins for Teofimo Lopez and "Bam" Rodriguez, one of the fighters in the world talks with us and some more Mike Tyson nostalgia are all part of the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com are back to sort it all out. They talk Bam's decisive KO over Juan Francisco Estrada to regain the WBC super flyweight title in the Matchroom Boxing main event in Phoenix. Why was Rodriguez so decisive and why were two of the judges completely "out to lunch" with scorecards that had Estrada leading despite being dominated through 6 rounds before the fatal TKO body shot by Bam. They're great humor and pointed criticism about it all. Next, the guys talk the Top Rank Boxing show in Miami, as Teofimo Lopez won in expected easy fashion over little regarded Canadian Steve Claggett. But, does Teofimo have a punching power issue at 140 lb, much less welterweight? Also, in the co-feature Robeisy Ramirez did his part to make his rematch with WBO featherweight champ Rafael Espinoza by scoring an emphatic KO. There are takes about how anticipated their title rematch will be. And, the guys have fun with the..... "grandson on Muhammad Ali," Nico Ali Walsh talk. Dan also goes over the Lamont Roach's decisive KO Friday night in Washington D.C. to retain his WBA junior lightweight crrown. And now, it appears Roach has a lucrative bout in his near future, as well. Then, hear from newly crowned WBC lightwieght champ Shakur Stevenson, who returns to his home of Newark this Saturday night to defend his belt. He talks one on one with Dan Rafael and makes it clear in the first minute of their conversation that he's unhappy with current promoter Top Rank Boxing and may be about to become a promotional free agent. It's great first person stuff before his fight week cranks up. Then, there's fight news on Albert Puello being newly elevated to WBC 140 lb. world champ status and his next bout headed to purse bid. Plus, why is the WBC bothering newly won interim light heavyweight champ David Benavidez about whether he will fight at 175 lb. or 168 lb. moving forward. This is the same WBC that won't order Canelo Alvarez to fight Benavidez as the interim 168 lb. champ and yet, Benavidez has had that title for over a year. Finally, we save some more Mike Tyson nostalgia for the end. "Iron Mike" turned 58 years old on Sunday and Dan and T.J. reminisce. Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcat" as part of the Big Fight Weekend Podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

28 JUN 2024 · It's an action packed final weekend of June, as we have multiple world title fights in Washington, D.C., Miami and Phoenix. And, we've got the previews of those, fight news involving Anthony Joshua's undercard for London in September and some great Mike Tyson nostalgia, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com to go over it all.  That includes the showdown with Lamont Roach Jr. meeting Feargal McCrory for the WBA 130 lb. title Friday night. Then, on Saturday night in Phoenix, it's the highly anticipated WBC 115 lb. battle with Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez meeting Juan Francisco Estrada. And, in Miami, Teofimo Lopez returns to defend his WBO 140 lb. crown against Steve Claggett. The guys go over the matchups with insight and analysis. There's fight news on the September 21 London card that now has an intriguing middleweight co-feature battle and fights with Anthony Cacache, Liam Smith and others now on the bill. Devin Haney has vacated his WBC junior welterweight crown and Dan explains what's going on. Plus, what former world champ is now suspended for a PED violation in Nevada from March and won't be fighting the rest of this year? Finally, the guys wrap by talking GREAT Mike Tyson nostalgia anniversaries this weekend of his 1 round destruction of Michael Spinks in 1988 and then, the most biarre' heavywieght title defense ever, as Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear 27 years ago this weekend. It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

25 JUN 2024 · Coming up Saturday night in Phoenix, AZ, in the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event, former unified flyweight world champ Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez is back in the junior bantamweight division challenging legendary former champ Juan Francisco Estrada in a battle for the vacant WBC title. And, on a special edition of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" our insider Dan Rafael speaks with Bam at length about the matchup with Estrada.When last we saw Rodriguez, he destroyed England's Sunny Edwards in a one sided TKO to unify at 112 lb. And, the Estrada win might be the signature one for his career to this point. Plus, what are Rodriguez's thoughts about potentially fighting another legend in Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez or not? And, does he plan to stay at 115 lb currently or look to maybe move up to bantamweight, as well? He tells Dan all about it. Here from one of the best young championship fighters in American boxing with us on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the Big Fight Weekend Podcast Feed for more great content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

24 JUN 2024 · Off an action packed weekend of fights in Vegas and Birmingham, England, we're ready to go over it all on the latest edition of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com to talk the Friday night successful Rafael Espinoza WBO Featherweight title defense headlining the Top Rank Boxing show in Las Vegas and what does this mean for his future and a possible rematch with Robeisy Ramirez at 126? Also, Dan gives thoughts on the controversial Andres Cortez decsion win over Abraham Nova in the co-feature in a fight that many believe Nova won instead. The guys then talk the Matchroom Boxing show in Birmingham, England Saturday night that also ended in controversy as Tyler Denny retained the European middleweight crown via a technical decision over previously unbeaten Felix Cash. Should the ref have stopped this one for Cash's eye, when it looked like it could have continued? Also, there was a betting controversy that cancelled a prelim fight on this show and the guys have more on that. Then, hear from Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez with Dan, as he gets set to battle Juan Francisco Estrada in the Matchroom DAZN main event for the WBC 115 lb. title in Phoenix, AZ this Saturday night. Bam is one of the top young stars in American boxing and has thoughts on fighting a legend and the future for him. There's fight news on a potential Gervonta Davis-Vasily Lomachenko lightweight unification battle later this year. Plus, Matchroom also announces Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis for August and is Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement to fight for a welterweight title? Finally, Dan has nostalgia on Pacquiao's U.S. debut anniversary, and also Floyd Mayweather blitzing Arturo Gatti 19 years ago. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

22 JUN 2024 · Off Ryan Garcia's Thursday "plea agreement" with the NY State Athletic Commission to take a one year suspension forfeiture of $1.1 million for his positive PED tests, the guy he defeated in April in their tainted fight- WBC 140 lb. champ Devin Haney was obviously outraged by it all. On Thursday evening, our insider Dan Rafael talked exclusively to Haney in a one on one conversation about Garcia's agreement/punishment and whether he thought it was enough? Plus, what else does Devin think he's owed besides the result being changed to a no-contest to the commission, which keeps Haney's record unbeaten? And, what is Devin looking to do next? Find it all out in this conversation as part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and the BFW Podcast feed. And, make sure to subscribe for all the great content on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

21 JUN 2024 · A huge story broke Thursday afternoon, as Ryan Garcia has accepted a suspension and huge financial penalties from the NY State Commision and we are all over that, with one on one reaction from Devin Haney. Plus, we have fight previews for Friday night in Vegas on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast." Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of BigFightWeekend.com to go over it all. They talk first about the breaking news of the resolution to Garcia being disciplined and Haney gives Dan his thoughts on what's next for him, etc. Then, T.J. and Dan talk the Rafael Espinoza first defense of his WBO featherweight title in a Vegas Friday night main event. Espinoza will battle little known countryman Sergio Chirino with a lucrative rematch with Robeisy Ramirez looming late in 2024 or early 2025, if he wins. Dan also goes over the rest of the Top Rank card. There's fight news on Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano scheduling new fights on the original date that they were supposed to fight in July. They will fight in TJ's backyard of Tampa, FL and the guys have more. Also, the saga of future hall of famer Canelo Alvarez NOT fighting William Skull continues on and there's more on when unbeaten junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz will fight next? They conclude with great anniversary nostalgia on Lennox Lewis' final fight of his hall of fame career in Los Angeles and also another anniversary on the sequel of Marco Antonio Barrera battling rival Erik Morales in Las Vegas. Dan was ringside for both fights and reminisces. It's all on the "Big Fight Wekeend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

17 JUN 2024 · It was an action packed weekend of title action from Vegas to Puerto Rico to London and we're ready to go over it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast." Host T.J. Rives and insider, fresh back from Vegas, Dan Rafael are back with Dan giving you the insight and takes from the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the PBC/Amazon pay per view. They talk the Gervonta Davis main event thunderous KO of Frank Martin in the eighth round. Davis is back from a year long layoff in a resounding way and what's next for him? In the co-feature bout, former super middleweight champ David Benavidez moved up to 175 lb and was very impressive overall in an easy decision win over Oleksandr Gvodzdyk. Benavidez does have hand injuries coming out of his win. So, what's his future? Dan also talks the Alberto Puello and Carlos Adames fights, as well. Then, the attention turns to the shocker in Puerto Rico, as 7-1 underdog Liam Paro knocked off IBF 140 lb. champ Subriel Matias in his hometown in Puerto Rico. How did Paro pull off such an impressive decision in the Matchroom main event win over Matias, who had been rolling with 5 straight KOs and 20 in 20 wins overall? And, what's in the future for the Aussie off the upset? T.J. and Dan talk the Boxxer main event in England as workman, hero Chris Billam-Smith won, again, in a WBO crusierweight title fight with Richard Riakporhe in London. And, is "CBS" headed to the United States potentially for a bigger bout/payday? There's fight news on the next PBC, non pay per view, card for August. Why did Leonard Ellerbe and Floyd Mayweather split up and whom is "The Monster" Naoya Inoue possibly fighting next? Finally, some nostalgia on Roberto Duran's birthday and a tremendous memory from Dan on the anniversary of Sugar Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya in June of 2000, too.  It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure that you are following/subscrbing on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!