It's a brand new year in 2026 and for the first time, our guys are back to recap the weekend action in Puerto Rico and have some fight nrews too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

First a recap of the Saturday MVP DAZN bouts in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Featherweight Amanda Serrano W10 Reina Tellez, retains WBO/WBA women’s title. What's next for one of the women's all time greats? 

Plus, lightweight Stephanie Han scores tech dec after 7 rounds over Holly Holm and retains WBA women’s title. Could she be a Serrano opponent? 

And, flyweight Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez surprises with a 12 round win over Yankiel Rivera and wins vacant WBA interim title.

Also, a recap of the December 31st Shisei Promotions main event in Tokyo

Kazuto Ioka, who was making his bantamweight debut, put himself in position to win a world title in a fifth weight division when he knocked out Maikel Ordosgoitti in the fourth round of a WBA title eliminator. Dan loves him some Japanese boxing and has more!

News

Anthony Joshua injured in a car accident in Nigeria on Monday that killed two of his close friends and members of his training team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua released from the hospital on Wednesday. Boxing is a distant priority, but does this mean Joshua might not be in the ring for a longer amount of time?

Related- To zero surprise, Tyson Fury posted on Instagram that he is coming out of the retirement. ABSOLUTE SHOCKER!  Dand and TJ discuss.

Next, Matchroom announced it has signed WBO bantamweight titlist Christian Medina and that he will make his first defense at home in Guadalajara on Feb. 6 (DAZN) vs. countryman Adrian Curiel, 26, a former IBF junior flyweight titlist.  

Due to illness, welterweight contender Paddy Donovan has withdrawn from an IBF final eliminator against former junior welterweight titlist Liam Paro scheduled for Jan. 16. No Limit said Paro would remain on the card if a suitable replacement can be found. The winner would have become the mandatory challenger for IBF titlist Lewis Crocker.  

Jake Paul is dropped from new WBA cruiserweight rankings.... that he should have never been ranked in. We have more. Also, Terence Crawford officially vacated the WBA super middleweight title, the last one, and WBA has elevated interim titlist Armando Resendiz.  

In the IBF it invited No. 1 contender Osleys Iglesias and former champion Canelo Alvarez to fight for the vacant title. Canelo not taking it as he is still sidelined after elbow surgery. Next up to accept the position will be Jamie Mungia. Stay tuned.

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

It's a great debate on what the "Fight of the Year" for 2025 should be and why? And, we're ready to have that debate on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcsat!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafel of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack are back to go over what they think were the best battles in the boxing ring for this year.

They discuss:

Honorable Mentions first- 

Pitbull Cruz vs. Angel Fierro in an all action battle

Brits Callum Smith-Joshua Buatsi tangle for a light heavyweight great fight

Christian Mbilli-Lester Martinez slugged it out on the Canelo-Crawford undercard

Abdullah Mason of the USA against Sam Noakes of England in a toe-to-toe slugfest

Plus, WBC junior flyweight titlist Carlos Canizales-Panya Pradabsri rematch

Then, it's a great conversation on what is the fight of 2025??

Chris Eubank Jr.- Conor Benn 1 in London or

Kenshiro Teragi - Seigo Akui battle for the unified flyweight belts

Hear the guys and their takes on these matchups and why they were so good on the "Fight Freaks Unite" podcast feed and find more great content here on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We have come to the end of the calendar year of 2025 and it's time to crank up a debate about which boxer deserves "Figther of the Year" status for work done this year? We're ready to debate on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

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

In a debate of future hall of famers Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, which resume was better in 2025? And, how much consideration should someone like Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez or Dmitry Bivol be given in the conversation, too?

Hear the guys go over it and make their selections for Fighter of the Year on this pod! And, make sure that you follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's the final weekend of 2025 and we're back to recap the prominent world title card of the weekend in Saudi Arabia and give you some other worldwide fight recaps and news too 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 have their takes.

First a recap of Saturday’s Ring V: "Night of the Samurai" DAZN PPV card from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Junior featherweight Naoya Inoue scores a one sided unanimous decision over Alan David Picasso, retains undisputed title. Should Inoue have gone harder for the KO? And now....

He'll fight new junior featherweight Junto Nakatani, who had a tough battle and won close with Sebastian Hernandez in the co-feature. The guys have more on Nakatani struggling at the higher weight and what does it mean for the Inoue battle in the first part of 2026?

Also, on the card- lightweight Eridson Garcia won a 10 round split decision over Taiga Imanaga, plus, 
junior featherweight Reito Tsutsumi TKO4 Leobardo Quintana.

The IBF junior bantamweight title fight with champ Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji was canceled after the ceremonial weigh-in, Garcia was ill and hospitalized. Dan has the latest.
 
Also, they recap Saturday’s Kameda Promotions main event in Tokoname, Japan
Flyweight Masamichi Yabuki TKO12 Felix Alvarado, retains IBF title. Impressive win for Yabuki.
 
And, a brief recap from Wednesday
Heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi, 52, the former top contender, who was in the second fight of his return after 26 years (most spent in prison) suffered his first defeat, a 12-round decision to Nigerian countryman Kabiru Towolawi in Lagos, Nigeria.
 
And, some news
Turki Alashikh announces undercard for Ring VI Teofimo-Shakur event on Jan. 31 at MSG
Keyshawn Davis vs. Jamaine Ortiz, 12 rounds, junior welterweights
Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Carlos Castro, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC featherweight title
Carlos Adames vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams, 12 rounds, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title
Jarrell Miller vs. Kingsley Ibeh, 10 rounds, heavyweights
Ziyad Almayouf vs. Kevin Castillo, 8 rounds, welterweights

Next, Dan is reporting on some fighters signed by Zuffa Boxing for its new league that begins in January:
Former WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose Valenzuela
Former WBA “regular” welterweight titlist Radzhab Butaev, junior lightweight Justin Viloria and lightweight Eridson Garcia
And, finally Matchroom Boxing's announcement of some more undercard bouts on the Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2 show Feb. 21 in Nottingham, England
Sandy Ryan vs. Karla Zamora, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women’s junior welterweight title
David Allen vs. TBA, 10 rounds, heavyweights
Tiah Mai Ayton vs. TBA, 8 rounds, female bantamweights
Junaid Bostan vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweights

We have it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure for all the great content on this feed to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

We are back off the Christmas holiday with a new show as the Riyadh Season card "Ring V- Night of the Samurai" takes place Saturday in Saudi Arabia. We've got the preview and fight news on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast!

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael for the full breakdown.

The begin with the Preview of the  Night of the Samurai” card on Saturday (DAZN PPV, 4 a.m. ET) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Naoya "the Monster" Inoue vs. Alan David Picasso, 12 rounds, for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight titles. It's the fourth time in the ring this year for Inoue and will he deliver the big KO to puncuate his 2025?

In the co-feature, Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, 12 rounds, junior featherweight battle. Is Nakatani next for the Monster?
 
And, also, Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji, 12 rounds, for Garcia’s IBF junior bantamweight title


Then, some fight news
Netflix announced the numbers for Jake-Joshua event, including “an estimated average minute audience of 33 million” globally from opening to closing bell. That's another huge number, but what about it relative to Canelo-Crawford, much less, Paul-Tyson in 2024 both on Netflix also?

Then, In wake of Terence Crawford’s retirement and vacating the WBO super middleweight title, the WBO has ordered Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz, the leading available contenders, to meet for the vacant title  

Also, Crawford has now formally vacated the IBF title, per IBF announcement. WBA vacating at 168 lb. is imminent  

Matchroom Boxing has announced the undercard for its January 24 DAZN card in Las Vegas topped by IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla’s mandatory defense against Andy Cruz. Co-feature will be the return of former WBA junior middleweight titlist Israil Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar in a 10-round middleweight bout. Dan has more.

Per Dan's reporting, IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo’s second defense against South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in the ProBox TV headliner is postponed. Is it injury or scheduling?

Also, per Dan's reporting, the overdue fight between WBA junior welterweight titlist Gary Antuanne Russell and mandatory challenger and fellow southpaw Andy Hiraoka is being lined up for the pay-per-view undercard of WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios’ defense against Ryan Garcia on Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.

We have it all for you headed into the final weekend of the year on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

Coming up Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, it's the "Night of the Samurai" card from Riyadh season feturing a series of fights with Japanese stars and the card is headlined by undisputed junior featherweight champ Naoya "The Monster" Inoue back defending his titles in the main event.

However, the second biggest name is former three division world champ himself, Junto Nakatani, Inoue's new potential rival, fighting a non-title, tune up at 122 lb. And, the beileft is that Nakatani will be meeting Inoue in the Tokyo Dome coming in a massive all Japan showdown in 2026.

So, with all that in mind, our insider Dan Rafael went to work and scored a one on one conversation with Nakatani prior to him leaving for Saudi Arabia, to talk moving up in weight and possibly fighting Inoue, etc.?

Hear the conversation now, as Dan talks to Nakatani through the interpreter on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

It was KO return for former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, as he did as expected and kayoed Jake Paul in the Miami main event Friday night. And, we are ready to discuss that fight, the entire card and be joined by a special guest, too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

The recap is from our early Saturday morning Youtube coverage on our Big Fight Weekend page and you'll hear the discussion of Jake Paul seemingly running throughout the first four rounds and eventually, Joshua got to him with big shots, knockdowns and the knockout. 

The guys also talk whether Joshua should take another fight before fighting Tyson Fury in 2026? And, they recap the undercard including the Alycia Baumgardner and Caroline Dubois victories. 

Then, hear Dan with former bantamweight champ Junto Nakatani, as he moves up to 122 lb. for a non-title, tune up with Sebastian Hernandez Saturday night on the "Night of the Samuri Card" from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Naoya "the Monster' Inoue defends the four 122 lb. titles in the main event and Nakatani may be his next opponent in a Japanese mega fight. It's all covered through an interpreter on the pod!

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

We've reached the fight weekend and the Friday night Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua heavyweight bout in Miami is happening and we're ready to discuss that bout, the undercard and have somee MASSIVE retirement news, too on the latest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives returns with Insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter with their insight and analysis.

They begin with the preview of Friday night’s MVP/Netflix card
Jake Paul is meeting former unified champ Anthony Joshua, 8 rounds, heavyweights. Is this a "foregone conclusion" that Joshua wipes out the social media/Youtube star turned fighter? The guys have their takes. 

Also, Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin, 12 rounds, for Baumgardner’s WBO/IBF/WBA women’s junior lightweight title is the co-feature. And, there is potentially a bigger bout on the horizon for Baumgardner if she gets the expected win.

Also MMA stars Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
And, highly regarded prospect Jahmal Harvey vs. Kevin Cervantes, 6 rounds, junior lightweights  

Then we have the recaps from Wednesday's Teiken Promotions card in Tokyo
Seiya Tsutsumi decisions Nonito Donaire, and keeps the WBA bantamweight crown. An entertaining bout. Dan has more.
Plus, Rene Santiago W12 over Kyosuke Takami and unifies the WBO/WBA 108 lb. titles. Plus, Anthony Olascuaga TKO4 Taku Kuwahara and keeps the WBO flyweight title.
 
Also, in the No Limit Boxing main event in Sydney, Australia
Tim Tszyu W10 Anthony Velazquez, 157 lb. catchweight fight. Does Tszyu have a future getting back to major title contention or not?
 
Then, some news
Bombshell- Terence Crawford retires on top.... but is it for real and could he be back by the middle of next year?

An update that WBO/WBA women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano will now face Reina Tellez January 3 instead of Erika Cruz due to Cruz's “atypical” drug test result. Dan has the latest. 

Badou Jack went to the hospital after losing WBC cruiserweight title to Noel Mikaelian last Saturday  night in L.A. due to a broken cheekbone.

And, Japanese junior lightweight Hayato Tsutsumi has suffered a fractured orbital bone during training, forcing his fight with WBA titlist James Dickens to be canceled from the “Ring V: Night of the Samurai” card on Dec. 27 (DAZN PPV) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

We cover it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

Coming up Friday night in Miami the hyped heavyweight bout between Jake Paul and former unified champ Anthony Joshua is really happening. The fighters have arrived in South Florida and appear ready to go. And, we have a special guest, who's on the blow by blow call of the bout for Netflix, in veteran broadcaster Crystina Poncher on this "BFW Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives has the conversation with Crystina about how she got involved with this matchup in Miami? What does she think about the risks for both Jake and Joshua in this one? Also, there are a couple of talented world champion women's fighters on the card, as well, in Alycia Baumgardner defending her 130 lb. titles and England's Caroline Dubois defending her WBC lightweight crown.

Crystina gives thoughts on them in action and the rise of women's boxing through signings by Most Valuable Promotions.

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

The buildup is now fully in gear for Friday night's heavyweight spectacle in Miami, as social media star turned boxer Jake Paul takes on his biggest challenge to date (literally) in former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua in Miami.

And, we're giving you an early preview on a special "BFW Preview Podcast" with host T.J. Rives and guests Ricky Carroll of BFW website and David Payne of Roundtable Sports Boxing coverage.

The guys go over a couple of interesting angles:

As Ricky and David are in the U.K. and Europe, what's the interest there for this bout?

Also, will this be Joshua hammering Paul quickly or will there be some caution and then, suspicion rising?

How big a risk is Joshua taking that it could mess up the Tyson Fury fight for him for 2026, if he some how loses this one?

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

It was a busy weekend in California with two prominent fight cards and even one in Dubai of interest and we're hear to recap it all and give you some fight news too on the newest "Fight Fraks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

They start with the recap of Saturday’s Bash Boxing PPV main event from Los Angeles
Cruiserweight Noel Mikaelian W12 Badou Jack, rematch, regains WBC title and now, 
IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia immediately calls Mikaelian out for unification. We break it down.
 
Then, a recap of Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card from Stockton, Calif.
Super middleweight Diego Pacheco fortunate to survive a knockdown and beat Kevin Lele Sadjo. What's Pacheco's prospects off this win?

Plus, Lightweight Joe Cordina W12 Gabriel Flores Jr., in a WBO 135 eliminator.
Junior welterweight Tito Mercado impressive KO6 Antonio Moran
Junior featherweight Skye Nicolson W10 Yuliahn Luna, wins vacant WBC women’s interim title 
And, a recap Friday’s IBA Pro main event from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Heavyweight Murat Gassiev BIG KO6 Kubrat Pulev, wins WBA “regular” title and is Moses Itauma Next?
Plus, Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh decisions Jeremiah Sserwadda over six rounds.

Some News
Turki Alashikh said thru Ring magazine that Joshua-Fury is made for 2026 and they both will have interim bouts (not including Joshua-Jake Paul that takes place Friday)  

Per Dan's reporting, plans for unified cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez are in limbo. He may take the January 16 tune-up fight or go directly to the huge May 2nd fight with David Benavidez.

O’Shaquie Foster notified the WBC that he has vacated the interim lightweight title he won vs. Stephen Fulton and will retain his junior lightweight title   Fulton, who badly missed weight for the 130 bout, has vacated the WBC featherweight title  

WBA featherweight titlist Nick Ball will make his fourth defense against mandatory challenger and former featherweight and junior featherweight titlist Brandon Figueroa on Feb. 7 (DAZN) at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, Ball’s hometown.  

Free agent IBF junior welterweight titlist Richardson Hitchins and Matchroom Boxing promoter have reunited and he will defend on the Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson card on Jan. 31 at Madison Square Garden. Opponent is TBA.

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

We are ready for the weekend and a world title fight in L.A. + fight news all over the globe 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 go over it all.

They preview Saturday’s Integrated Sports PPV, PPV.COM main event in Los Angeles
Badou Jack vs. Noel Mikaelian, rematch, for Jack’s WBC cruiserweight title. Will we get an exciting battle in this one and what's the future at cruiserweight?

Next, a preview Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN card in Stockton, Calif.
Diego Pacheco vs. Kevin Lele Sadjo, 12 rounds, super middleweights. A good challenge for the young Pachecho?? Plus,
Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Joe Cordina, 12 rounds, WBO lightweight eliminator
Skye Nicolson vs. Yuliahn Luna, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women’s interim junior featherweight title 
Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs. Antonio Moran, 10 rounds, junior welterweights  

Next, some news

Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson kickoff press conference for their Jan. 31 fight was Wednesday at Madison Square Garden

Cruiserweight Huseyin Cinkara was released from the hospital on Tuesday after being admitted with various injuries following a titanic eighth-round knockout loss in a mandatory fight against lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on Saturday in Broadbeach, Australia.

TKO announced on an earnings call this week that the first Zuffa Boxing card of the Paramount+ deal will be on Jan. 23
 
No. 1 women’s pound-for-pound and undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields announced her next defense will be a rematch with former undisputed super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Feb. 22 (DAZN) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. They fought each other in their 2016 pro debut with Shields winning a four-round decision.  

WBC lightweight titlist Caroline Dubois is latest to leave Boxxer after the end of its Sky Sports deal. She has signed with MVP and will defend against Camila Panatta on the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua card Dec. 19 in Miami.  

And, WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios announced that he has split from trainer Bob Santos and will be trained by Joe Goossen for the Feb. 21 fight vs. Ryan Garcia.

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

Saturday night in Los Angeles, WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack returns in an immediate rematch of a close decision over former titlist Noel Mikaelian. The bout is the headliner of an Inegrated Sports PPV card in Los Angeles. 

But, before the action heats back up, Jack is one on one with our insider Dan Rafael.

What does he think of having to battle Mikaelian again? Also, Jack is in position for a possible unification battle with either IBF champ Jai Opetaia or down the road maybe the winner of the upcoming "Zurdo Ramirez" vs. David Benavidez WBA/WBO unified fight set for May.

It's all part of the discussion on the "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed found on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

A very busy but P.R. damaged PPV took place in San Antonio, TX, and we're ready to recap it all, plus, hear from a cruiserweight world champ and more on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

They have a full recap of the "PBC on Prime Video" PPV card on Saturday 

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz draw with Lamont Roach and keeps WBC interim 140 lb. title. Was this a just draw or not? Will they meet again?
O’Shaquie Foster dominates Stephen Fulton and wins vacant WBC interim 135 lb. title. Yes, you read right. The WBC now just makes up interim title fights the day before fight cards. We explain the comedy and debate. Foster also has options in multiple weight divisions, now too.

Then, a dreadful Erislandy Lara decision over late replacement Johan Gonzalez and keeps WBA 160 lb. A boring defense.

And, Jesus Ramos decisions Shane Mosley Jr., in an action packed bout and wiins the vacant WBC interim 160 lb title.

Also, on the free Prelims
A HUGE KO! Frank Martin in the 4th over Rances Barthelemy, junior welterweights
Isaac Lucero decisions Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in a good fight.
And, junior middleweights Luis Nunez looks good against Hector Sosa in a featherweight decision.

 
Next, a recap of Saturday’s Tasman Fighters main event in Broadbeach, Australia
HUUUUUUUUGE KO Jai Opetaia with one punch in the eigth over Huseyin Cinkara. Opetaia retains lineal/IBF cruiserweight title and has a big future coming.
 
Next an interview with WBC Cruiserweight Champ BADOU JACK 

He defends vs. former titlist Noel Mikaelian on Saturday in Los Angeles on PPV in a rematch of their close fight in May on the Canelo-Scull card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

And, some news
Tyson Fury social media post indicates he is headed out of retirement –SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, Dan approved all those !'s

A deal has been made for vacant WBO interim light heavyweight title bout between Callum Smith and David Morrell, and the purse bid that was due to take place this past Friday was canceled  

And, finally, MVP added junior lightweight Jahmal Harvey, a 2024 U.S. Olympian, to the main card of Paul-Joshua on January 19th.

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

We are back and ready for an intriguing PPV card in San Antonio, TX and have some interesting fight news and Boxing Hall of Fame new members, too, on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" podcast.

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter and they're ready to go over it all.

They begin with the preview of Saturday's PBC on Prime Video PPV in San Antonio
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr.,  for Cruz’s WBC interim junior welterweight title. In the co-featured O’Shaquie Foster vs. Stephen Fulton, for Foster’s WBC junior lightweight title.
Also, Erislandy Lara vs. Johan Gonzalez, for Lara’s WBA middleweight title, as Janibek is out of the fight due to a positive PED test. And, Jesus Ramos vs. Shane Mosley Jr., for the vacant WBC interim middleweight title.

Also, the free prelims on Prime video
Frank Martin vs. Rances Barthelemy, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
Isaac Lucero vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr., 10 rounds, junior middleweights
Luis Nunez vs. Hector Sosa, 10 rounds, featherweights 

Then, they preview Tasman Fighters main event on Saturday in Broadbeach, Australia (UFC Fight Pass in the US with card start at 2 a.m. ET)
Jai Opetaia vs. Huseyin Cinkara, 12 rounds, for Opetaia’s lineal/IBF cruiserweight title. He's a tremendous punching champ looking for another big KO.
 
Then some News: 

Thammanoon Niyomtrong wins in 12 rounds over Junior Zarate to win the vacant WBC junior flyweight title on Thursday at the Imperial Queens Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. This was part of the WBC convention.

Also, from the convention the WBC strips Terence Crawford of super middleweight title and Crawford goes off in IG video! The boys discuss both sides of this.

More stuff from the convention on mandatories/eliminators orders – Oleksandr Usyk wants to fight Deontay Wilder, and more, Conor Benn made welter mandatory by the organization. What. Are. We. Doing. Here?

Next, the International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2026 announced, including GGG, Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn. Dan has thoughts

Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson official for Jan. 31 in NY, with a presser coming on Wednesday.

And, heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. notified the IBF in writing that he has accepted a position in a final title eliminator against Frank Sanchez to produce the organization’s mandatory challenger.

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

Coming up on Saturday night in the "Lonestar State" WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton is moving up to challenge O’Shaquie Foster for his WBC junior lightweight title on the "PBC on Prime Video" undercard of Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach main event.

But, before fight week cranks up, you can hear from the Philly star Fulton one on one with our insider Dan Rafael on this special conversation.

Fulton is moving up to 130 lb. to battle the Texan Foster in a compelling U.S. champ vs. U.S. champ matchup. How does he feel about the extra weight and would he remain at junior lightweight with the win? Also, Fulton famously was kayoed by one of the best fighters in the sport Naoya Inoue, though he deserves credit for having fought "The Monster" in Japan. He relays what that experience against a great fighter meant to helping him the rest of his career.

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

Coming up on Saturday night in San Antonio, TX, Lamont Roach will battle interim junior welterweight titlist Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz in the "PBC on Prime Video" PPV main event.

On this edition of the podcast hear Roach with our insider Dan Rafael discussing moving up to 140 lb. for a significant showdown with Cruz. Plus, will Roach eventually get the chance to rematch Gervonta "Tank" Davis, whom he fought to a controversial draw with for Davis' WBA lightweight title earlier this year?

Will the D.C. native Roach, who hasn't lost a fight in six years, score big this weekend and set himself up for a more lucrative battle in the first part of 2026?

We cover it all on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" conversation and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

Some fight action in England and California and a world champ readying to move up and fight for antother world title in another weight division joins us on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

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

First a recap of the Saturday Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event at Birmingham, England
Light heavyweight Ben Whittaker massive KO1 Benjamin Gavazi. Was this really even a test? What's next for the flamboyant Whittaker?
 
Next we recap Saturday's Boxxer/BBC main event at Derby, England 
Heavyweight Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva upsets Frazer Clarke by decision and wins vacant British title. Dan has more.  

Plus, a quick recap from the Saturday Manny Pacquiao Promotions ESPN Knock Out bout at Temecula, Calif.

Lightweight Manny Pacquiao Jr. Draw  over four rounds with Brendan Lally (both making pro debuts). Not good for Pac-man son's debut.

Then, WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton is on the Pod as he is moving up to challenge O’Shaquie Foster for his WBC junior lightweight title this Saturday in San Antonio on the PBC on Prime Video PPV undercard of Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr.

Foster-Fulton was originally scheduled on the Octover 25th FUNDORA-THURMAN undercard, but that main event was postponed. So now it's on this show inTexas. And, we have this conversation from earlier.  

Some fight news:

An update on Teofimo Lopez slated to meet Shakur Stevenson. Dan has the latest on when and where?

Zurdo Ramirez's decision to face David Benavidez in May angers Cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia and his team.

And, four division titleholder Kazuto Ioka, who announced in late October that he would move up to bantamweight in pursuit of a title in fifth weight class, will make his debut in at 118 pounds in a WBA title eliminator Maikel Ordosgoitti on Dec. 31 in Tokyo. Dan has the latest.

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

Preview Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event in Birmingham, England
Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi, 10 rounds, light heavyweights

Off the Thanksgiving Thursday, we're BACK with a quick preview, a special guest with Dan and some fight news on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to go over everything from Turkey Day eats to the fights!

They start with a preview of Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event in Birmingham, EnglandBen Whittaker returns vs. Benjamin Gavazi, 10 rounds, light heavyweights. Will he start to live up to the talking he does, etc?!


Next, a preview of Saturday’s Boxxer main event in Derby, England (available on TrillerTV+ in U.S.)
Frazer Clarke vs. Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva, 12 rounds, for vacant British heavyweight title  Preview. Clarke is recently known for getting blitzed by Fabio Wardley, but he's trying to get back into contention. 

Then, Saturday's 1st Manny Pacquiao Promotions U.S. card in Temecula, Calif. (ESPN Deportes & ESPN+)
The main event is Lorenzo Parra vs. Elijah Pierce, 12 rounds, featherweights
But bigger is the pro debut of Manny Pacquiao Jr. vs. Brendan Lally, 4 rounds, lightweights in the co-feature  

Also, a brief recap of Monday’s Teiken card on Tokyo
Takuma Inoue (Naoya younger brother) W12 Tenshin Nasukawa, wins vacant WBC  bantamweight title.  

American Ra’eese Aleem W12 Mikito Nakano, IBF feather title eliminator (now Angelo Leo's mandatory challenger) 

Junior bantamweight Tomoya Tsuboi (now 3-0, 2 KO) TKO8 former titlist Carlos Cuadras, after which Cuadras announced his retirement  

Next a LAMONT ROACH Jr. interview

He challenges WBC interim junior welterweight titlist Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz December 6th in PBC on Prime Video PPV main event in San Antonio.
 
Next, some quick news
The death on Sunday of Vanes Martirosyan, a 2004 U.S. Olympian and three-time world title challenger against Gennadiy Golovkin, Erislandy Lara and Demetrius Andrade, from skin cancer, which he battled for about two years. He was 39. Dan has more on his career.

Finally, the Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith main event probably will move forward January 10, despite the adverse finding Matias returned for Ostarine in a VADA test. Dan explains the "why?" and the finding below the allowable threshold in NY.

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

It's a special mid-week edition of the podcast, as host T.J. Rives is back with special guests around the "Ring IV- Night of Champions" ppv card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both Saadeq Ahmed (who covered the card live) and Managing Editor for Big Fight Weekend.com, Ricky Carroll are aboard for their perspectives and analysis.

The guys talk in order:

Saadeq sharing the bizaare' timeline for the show, that saw the main event happen at after 5am Saudi time early into Sunday a.m. 

The guys also go over the fights starting with Abdul Mason's power punching win over Sam Noakes for the WBO lightweight crown. Mason is on the rise and at 21 years old is boxing's youngest world champ. So, what's in store for him?

Next, it was a huge night for Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez to become unified at 115 lb. with a domination of Fernando Martinez for 8 rounds and then flattened him for good with a big left hook in the 9th for the KO. Is Bam deserving of a top 5 pound for pound grade?

Continuing, Saadeq gives more insight on how the Bam fight took some life out of the building and even though he was in control with a second round knock down, Devin Haney couldn't overwhelm WBO welterweigh champ, Brian Norman. So, it was a little unsatisfying, even though the still unbeaten Haney was much better than the champ and got the decision win.

And, finally, David Benavidez made easy work out of Anthony Yarde by brutally pounding him over 7 rounds and eventual TKO stoppage. Benavide wants curiserweight unfied champ, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramires, next in Las Vegas in May. We'll see if it happens?

Hear from our guys on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" on this Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify!