It was an action packed Saturday night (early Sunday a.m. there) in Saudi Arabia, as the "Ring IV- Night of Champions" played out with four world title fights and we're ready to go over all of it, including the winners and what's potentially next for them on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast"

This pod originally aired as a live recap show on the Big Fight Weekend Youtube page Saturday night!

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter to go over the action and give their analysis.

They discuss:

David Benavidez retaining his WBC light heavyweigh crown with a dominant stoppage of Anthony Yarde. We break it down and what's next for one of the better bigger fighters in U.S. boxing?

Next, Devin Haney became a world champ in his thrid weight division with an impressive decision win over Brian Norman taking the WBO welterweight crown. Haney got an early knockdown and controlled the bout. Now, what's next for him at 147 lb.?

Meanwhile, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez continues to surge, as defended the WBC/WBO 115lb. crowns and added the WBA title with a one-sided bludgeoning of Fernando Martinez. It ultimately resulted in a 9th round KO for Bam. He's clearly the best small weight fighter in the U.S. and what's next for him? The guys go over it.

And, the fourth title fight was TREMENDOUS as American Abdullah Mason out-slugged England's Sam Noakes over 12 rounds to become the new WBO lightweight champ and boxing's youngest world champ at 21 years old. It looks like a big future for Mason.

And, you'll hear some interaction from exclusive Youtube audience with the guys from Saturday night, too.

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

It's arguably the biggest fight card of the entire year, as the "Ring IV- Night of Champions" pay per view comes off in Saudi Arabia and we're ready to preview it  and have more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast.

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael to go over all the title action coming up as they 
preview Saturday’s DAZN PPV card from Riyadh
David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde, 12 rounds, for Benavidez’s WBC and WBA “regular” light heavyweight titles. A big moment for Benavidez in trying to get an undisputed shot with Dmitry Bivol.

Next, Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney, 12 rounds, for Norman’s WBO welterweight title in a showdown with two unbeaten American stars. Can Haney take the welteerweight punch and how will Norman fare against his best opponent to date?

Also, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez, 12 rounds, WBC/WBO/WBA junior bantamweight titles. A highly underrated showdown in this one. Can Bam continue the roll he's been on?

And unbeatens Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO lightweight title and the fourth of the four world title fights that lead the main card.

Then, some news
An official announcement of Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua, Dec. 19 on Netflix at Kaseya Center in Miami. The kickoff news conference is on Friday at the arena. We have takes.

Next, Ryan Garcia went on social in a video and said he signed deal to fight Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight title Feb. 21. But…there's still a lot to iron out.

And, Oleksandr Usyk makes a mild surprise and vacates WBO title. Therefore, he gives up undisputed status for second time; Fabio Wardley elevated to full WBO titleholder, but whom would he fight next?

Staying with the heavyweights, Daniel Dubois pulled out of Frank Sanchez IBF heavyweight purse bid scheduled for Thursday. What does this mean for Sanchez.

Next, former WBO junior middleweight titlist Tim Tszyu will return vs. Anthony Velazquez in a 10-round middleweight Dec. 17 in his hometown of Sydney, Australia, No Limit Boxing announced.  We discuss.

And, finally, Golden Boy Boxing kicks off its 2026 schedule Jan. 16 with the discussed rematch between welterweight contenders Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. They battled to a majority draw in an action-packed battle last December. The co-feature is also a rematch of a July 24 draw between junior featherweights “Gucci” Manny Flores and Jorge Chavez. Dan gives you the latest.

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

Coming up Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, newly elevated WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez will defend against Britain's Anthony Yarde in a 12 round main event. Benavidez is headlining the Ring Magazine/ DAZN PPV that is probably the deepest and most interesting card of title fights in the final four months of the year.

But, before we get to Saturday, Benavidez is with our insider Dan Rafael to talk more about this bout with Yarde, his future at 175 lb. which might include an undisputed title shot with unified champ Dmitry Bivol and more.

Hear it all as part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify for more great content.

Off the weekend and the compelling Conor Benn rematch win over Chris Eubank Jr. and Rafael Espinoza battering another opponent in a WBO title defense we're 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 have their takes here.
 
First, they recap Saturday’s Ring magazine DAZN PPV card in London
Conor Benn W12 Chris Eubank Jr. in a rematch, where the Benn's finally get a win over the Eubanks. Where do both go from here? Also, on the undercard
Jack Catterall scores a KO12 of Ekow Essuman and wins WBO Global
Plus, 147 lb. contender Adam Azim TKO12 against Kurt Scoby and wins vacant WBO Intercontinental 140


Next a Recap of  Saturday’s Top Rank/Zanfer card in San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Featherweight Rafael Espinoza TKO11 Arnold Khegai, retains WBO featherweight title. A brutal beating of Khegai that should have been stopped sooner. And on the undercard,
Junior welterweight Emiliano Vargas W10 Jonathan Montrel and Junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado W12 split Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, IBF title eliminator –with controversy! And, Heavyweight Richard Torrez TKO1 against Tomas Salek. Torrez need better competition. 
 
News
Former WBO heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker tested positive for cocaine in a urine test administered on the day that he suffered an 11th-round knockout loss to Fabio Wardley last month that cost him the WBO interim belt and a due mandatory shot at undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Turki Alasheikh/Eddie Hearn hinted at Fury-Joshua in September during the Benn-Eubank show. September?? Really? 

And, Matchroom and DAZN announce four Jan/Feb main events, which includes:
IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla vs. mandatory challenger Andy Cruz  
IBF junior middleweight titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. mandatory challenger Josh Kelly  
Junior lightweight rematch between former featherweight titleholders Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington  
Junior lightweight unification fight pairing WBO titlist Emanuel Navarrete and IBF titlist Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez.

Dan has more on these.

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

We're back and we finally have a weekend with multiple compelling fights on separate cards in both London and Mexico and we're ready to preview those, plus a bonafide light heavyweight star is on the show for the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

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

They start with the preview of the Boxxer/Matchroom DAZN PPV card Saturday in London
Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn, rematch, 12 rounds, middleweights. It was an amazing first fight in April and now, they are back again before the end of 2025 to slug it out again. The gents discuss.
There's also more on the undercard with Jack Catterall vs. Ekow Essuman, 12 rounds, welterweights and Adam Azim vs. Kurt Scoby, 12 rounds, junior welterweights.

Next, we preview the Zanfer Promotions/Top Rank card on TR Classics FAST channel in San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Rafael Espinoza returns to meet Arnold Khegai, 12 rounds, for Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title. This is a true height mismatch and will Espinoza roll in his home country defense. We discuss.

The co-feature has Lindolfo Delgado vs. Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, 12 rounds, IBF junior welterweight eliminator. Plus, Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Tomas Salek, 10 rounds, heavyweights Emiliano Vargas vs. Jonathan Montrel, 10 rounds, junior welterweights 
Next it's Dan and David Benavidez in conversation.

Benavidez defends WBC and WBA “regular” light heavyweight belts vs. Anthony Yarde in the main event of the Ring magazing DAZN PPV on Nov. 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Benavidez is in position for a massive fight potentially with Dmitry Bivol for all the 175 lb. titles. 
 
News
Deal near for Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua on either Dec. 9 or Dec. 16 – Dan and T.J. want to know- What are we doing here?!? What is the "realism" of this actually happening?


Next, heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma back in action to face battle-tested Jermain Franklin in the main event of a Queensberry DAZN card Jan. 24 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Also, in the wake of KO1 loss to Vergil Ortiz, Erickson Lubin addressed his future via social media, writng he will return and move up to middleweight.

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya said the hope is unified cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will return to action in February and then to get him a much bigger fight.

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

Coming up on Saturday night November 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, unbeaten U.S. lightweight contender Abdullah Mason will go for his first world title. That's when he battles England's Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO 135 lb. crown.

But, before that happens he spoke with our insider Dan Rafael in a one on one conversation.

Find out more about what the Cleveland, OH, native thinks about this big moment in his career, what kind of threat Noakes will be and more, as part of our preview coverage of this great card.

It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Conversation podcast with Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It was a quick and decisive night for Vergil Ortiz in the Golden Boy main event, Dan talks with a rising lightweight star and we have fight news, too, on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter with "The Tea." (good info/takes)

First a Recap of the Saturday Golden Boy / DAZN card in Fort Worth, Texas
Vergil Ortiz scores quick TKO2 over Erickson Lubin, for Ortiz’s WBC interim 154 lb. title.
The guys iscuss prospect of Ortiz-Jaron Ennis next and do we believe them?

Next, what turned out to be a terrible undercard
Darius Fulghum D10 David Stevens in a boring bout.
Amari Jones TKO3 Shady Gamhou middleweights.
Joshua Edwards heavyweight win over Zeno Vooris
Robin Safar W10 Derick Miller Jr., cruiserweight bout
 
Also a quick recap of the Friday night ProBox main event in Lakeland, Florida
Welterweight Tiger Johnson, the Top Rank-promoted 2020 U.S. Olympian, pummeled Nicklaus Flaz in a TKO4. Dan has more.

Then hear from Abdullah Mason, the unbeaten U.S. lightweight with Dan who battles unbeaten English contender Sam Noakes on 11/22 in the massive Riyadh Season PPV.
 
And, some news:
WBO junior middleweight titlist Xander Zayas and WBA counterpart Abass Baraou will meet in a title unification fight on Jan. 31 in San Juan, according to the WBO and confirmed by Zayas promoter Top Rank. Is this possibly going to be the first fight card for Top Rank's new fight deal with a broadcaster.

WBA bantamweight titleholder Seiya Tsutsumi will defend against interim titlist and surefire future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire, age 42, on Dec.17 in Tokyo, Teiken Promotions announced  

And, undisputed women’s heavyweight champion and female No. 1 pound-for-pound Claressa Shields, who had become a promotional free agent, has re-signed with Salita Promotions as and brought on Wynn Records as a co-promoter, in an $8 million multi-fight partnership We go over the deal.

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 weekend of action in Texas headlined by the return of hard punching Vergil Ortiz in the main event. Plus, we have some news involving the likes of Jake Paul, Ryan Garcia and other fights being finalized, etc. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael and they are ready to go over it all.

We start with the preview of the Golden Boy/DAZN card Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas with Ortiz taking on former world title challenger Erickson Lubin for Ortiz’s WBC interim junior middleweight title. Ortiz is ready for a title shot himself, but the veteran Lubin will pose a threat.

Plus, Dan goes over the undercard:
Darius Fulghum vs. David Stevens, 10 rounds, super middleweights
Amari Jones vs. Shady Gamhour, 10 rounds, middleweights
Joshua Edwards vs. Zeno Vooris, 6 rounds, heavyweights
Robin Safar vs. Derick Miller Jr., 10 rounds, cruiserweights 
Then some news:
Jake Paul destroys Gervonta Davis on social media for being all the things that everyone knew he was, but now, the "fight" with Davsi is off and it's time to tell the truth. We discuss.

Next, the WBC lifts its ban on Ryan Garcia, clearing a major hurdle toward Marios Barrios defending the WBC welterweight title against him in early 2026. There's "healthy debate" about this.

Dan, marks the death this week of polarizing PED guru Victor Conte, who was heavily involved in boxing, but also eventually put in prison for his actions/drug cheating etc. He died this week at age 75 from pancreatic cancer. Dan go to know him pretty well over the past several years. and shares the complex part of whether Conte should be viewed differently at the end of his life.  

Next, the heavys and the IBF has scheduled a Nov. 13 purse bid for the final heavyweight title eliminator between Frank Sanchez and former titlist Daniel Dubois. But, will this fight happen? 

Also, Dan is reporting that despite Queensberry promoter Frank Warren and British heavyweights Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte talking up a third fight and it being penciled in to headline a DAZN PPV event on December 13, the fight has been scrapped.

Finally, Golden Boy working to finalize a January rematch between welterweight contenders Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel, who fought a blazing draw this past December. And there are plans in the works for super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga to challenge WBA interim titlist Armando Resendiz on a PBC show in early 2026.

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

Off of a weekend that hsd controversial action in England, up and coming fighters in Orlando, FL and more we are back on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return with their insight and takes.

First, a recap of Saturday Queensberry DAZN main event in Manchester
Light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi decision over Zach Parker in what Dan says was a horrendous fight and worse decisio! We go over it.
 Then, a recap of the Saturday Matchroom DAZN card in Orlando, Fla.
Heavyweight Lenier Pero decisions Jordan Thompson over 10.
Junior middleweight prospect Omari Jones TKO3 against Yusuph Metu and  Cruiserweight Pat Brown KO2 Felix Valera.

Also, Mikaela Mayer wins an easy decision over Mary Spencer to win her WBA, but also the vacant WBC/WBO women's 154 lb. titles. T.J. has an issue with the two additional belts being "bestowed" on Mayer for no reason.
 
Finally, some news

A deal is close for a deal for Ryan Garcia to challenge WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios in the first quarter of 2026 in Las Vegas in a joint DAZN/PBC PPV. Dan has the lastest. But, could Garcia have another option because.....

The Jake Paul-Tank Davis November 14 exhibition is in jeopardy because of Davis' latest domestic violence accusations, MVP looking for a replacement and likely to change the date.

Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn said on the DAZN show when asked by Mannix if Joshua would fight this year and he said “Yes” Hmmmm. We have thoughts.

Also, Matchroom Boxing is planning to the IBF lightweight title fight between Raymond Muratalla and mandatory challenger Andy Cruz for Jan. 24 to headline on DAZN at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. We discuss.


And, Manny Pacquiao confirmed this week that he is indeed in talks for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. The guys go over it.

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

Some action on two continents to go over, will aged, legends rematch next year and more is all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael return with their takes on everything.

First, they preview Saturday’s Queensberry Promotions/DAZN main event from Manchester, England.
Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker, 12 rounds, light heavyweights. Buatsii is looking to get a title shot with a main event win here. Will Parker provide a challenge?
 
Next a preview briefly Saturday’s Matchrooom/Boxlab/DAZN from Orlando, Florida
Cuban Lenier Pero vs. Jordan Thompson, 10 rounds, heavyweights
Prospect Omari Jones vs. Yusuph Metu, 6 rounds, junior middleweights and prospect Pat Brown vs. Felix Valera, 10 rounds, cruiserweights. Dan has more on the whole card.
 
News

Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao 2 talks are advanced down the road for first part of next year.... What are we doing here 11 years after their first fight?!

Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing are in talks for junior lightweight unification fight between WBO titlist Emanuel Navarrete and WBO titlist Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez for early 2026. Dan explains why it's likely to happen.

A deal has been made for IBF junior middleweight titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev and mandatory challenger Josh Kelly to meet in January in England. This, as this week’s purse bid was canceled. We finally see Bakhram return after he destroyed Tim Tszyu more than 15 months before this fight.

PBC finalizes the Pitbull-Roach card for December 6 by rescheduling O’Shaquie Foster WBC junior lightweight title defense vs. Stephen Fulton. This is an impressive card.

And, lightweight contender Floyd Schofield Jr. has suffered a wrist injury and withdrawn from a scheduled 10-rounder against former junior lightweight titlist Joseph Diaz Jr. That bout was to have served as the co-feature of the Vergil Ortiz-Erickson Lubin card on Nov. 8 

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

A thrilling main event in London leads our show as Fabio Wardley has become the WBO's interim champ at heavyweight and we're ready to go over the win and the impiclications 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 go over it all.

First, it's the recap of the Queensberry/DAZN PPV main event from London
and Wardley's TKO of Parker to win the WBO interim strap. Dan and T.J. disagree about the stoppage and it's a healthy debate! Plus, will Wardley get a shot at undisputed champ Oleksandr Usyk around March or at all?

Then, some news:
Queensberry Promotions is trying to finalize a fight between British former heavyweight world title challengers Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte, which would headline a DAZN PPV card on Dec. 13 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Likely moves Moses Itauma's next fight into February. But, why not have Itauma fight quicker and maybe fight Wardley at the beginning of part of 2026?

Also, Queensberry announces it is going to begin putting on events in Germany beginning with the talented WBC interim heavyweight titlist Agit Kabayel defending vs. opponent TBA. Dan has more on why?

Next, he's reporting that the Janibek Alimkhanuly-Erislandy Lara three-belt middleweight unification fight is signed for December 6th and will be the co-feature on the "PBC on Prime Video" PPV card headlined by Pitbull Cruz-Lamont Roach Jr. in San Antonio, TX.

Also, former WBO junior middleweight titlist Tim Tszyu, months after he got dominated and stopped by Sebastian Fundora in their Jully rematch, says he has parted ways with career-long trainer Igor Goloubev and will now train in Miami with Pedro Diaz. What about this move for Tszyu?

And, Manny Pacquiao’s son, 24-year-old lightweight Manny “Jimuel” Pacquiao Jr., will turn pro on November 29 on the first Manny Pacquiao Promotions card in the United States at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. He’s in a four-rounder vs. Brendan Lally, who is also turning pro.

We also briefly talk Thursday’s Eye of the Tiger/Top Rank main event from Montreal, as
Mary Spencer meets Mikaela Mayer, for Spencer’s WBA women’s junior middleweight title

Finally, a little Nostalgia
October 25, 1990 — 35 years ago on Saturday – Evander Holyfield kayoed Buster Douglas with one shot to win the undisputed heavyweight title. We relive how Douglas went from the highest of highs in the upset of Tyson that February to being 25 lbs. overweight and done as a champ forever eight months later. And, it was the begining of Holyfield's long run as a hall of fame heavvyweight, too.

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

A very intriguing heavyweight main event in England leads our show and we got lots of news incluidng on the heavyweight division's top stars on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to give their takes.

First a preview of Saturday’s Queensberry/DAZN PPV main event from London
Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley, 12 rounds, for Parker’s WBO interim heavyweight title. It's a significant risk for Parker against the hard punching Wardley, when he's already in line to be the full WBO champ or get the undisputed title shot with Oleksandr Usyk next year.
 
Then, some News
We are recapping Danny Garcia's KO4 of Daniel Rodriguez last Saturday night in Brooklyn, NY. Is Danny done and is he a HOFer?

Next, Usyk says he is back in training after back injury, plans to fight in 2026 and wants to fight for three more years (until he is 41). We're not so sure on that last one.

Meanwhile, Tyson Fury strongly reiterated his retirement (yet, again) in an interview with YouTube channel FurociTV. We still don't believe him at this point.

And, then that leaves... After teasing a December return for Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn has said he won’t be back until at least February and perhaps, in Africa. Will Joshua end up fighting Fury??

Next, Matchroom Boxing on Thursday won the purse bid for the fight between IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla and Matchroom-promoted mandatory challenger Andy Cruz. Dan has the latest.

Former IBF welterweight titlist Kell Brook is ending a four-year retirement an will fight on February 13 to honor his friend Ricky Hatton. He fights Eisa Al Dah, who was supposed to fight Hatton in December, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  

And, finally, Top Rank has no deal for a platform yet but announced that it will show the Mary Spencer-Mikaela Mayer card from Montreal that headlines an Eye of the Tiger Promotions card on its Top Rank Classics channel, which is free on major FAST hubs, including Tubi, Pluto and Roku. We have more on that.

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

Coming up Saturday night in London, the interim WBO heavyweight champ will risk his position and interim belt in a Queensberry Promotions main event. But, before that happens, hear from Joseph Paker with our insider Dan Rafael on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Parker Defends his WBO interim heavyweight title vs. England's Fabio Wardley at The O2 In London headlining the DAZN PPV event. At stake for both, is a possible pathway to fight undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a massive opportunity. At the minimum, the winner would eventually be promoted to the full WBO title, if Usyk won't him.

Dan goes over it all and talks with Parker, 36-3, about his string of recent impressive wins over former WBC heavweight champ Deontay Wilder, massive Chinese contender Zhilei Zhang and a quick KO of Martin Bakole earlier this year. 

Wardley is dangerous with a 19-0-1 record and couple of large recent KOs on his resume' that make him a threat to Parker.

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

It's yet another light weekend worldwide in the sport, but there is a decent name coming back in the ring in New York and the WBO interim heavyweight champ Joseph Parker is also our guest 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.

 
First, a preview of the Saturday's Swift Promotions main at Barclays Center/Brooklyn on Million.co PPV, as Junior middleweight Danny Garcia returns vs. Daniel Gonzalez, 10 rounds in his supposed farewell fight. Dan talked to Garcia recently and gives more.
 
Then, the Parker Interview, as he meets Fabio Wardley October 25th at The O2 Arena In London headlining a Queensberry Promotions DAZN PPV event. Parker taking a significant risk, when he could be fighting Oleksandr Usyk next by sitting tight.
 
Next, some News

Top Rank confirms the November show in Mexico with their fighters fighting on the Zanfier Promotions card headlined by Rafael Espinoza defending his WBO Featherweight crown. We have the latest.

Next, an Update on the Itauama/Pulev-Gassiev heavyweight situation with the WBA. Dan explains.

The California athletic commission on Wednesday voted 6-0 to endorse the TKO/Zuffa-based "Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act." There's good back and forth on the situation.

Also, Amanda Serrano will return to featherweight to defend her unified WBO/WBA women’s titles against Erika Cruz in a rematch of their epic battle in 2023. The fight tops the MVP card on January 3rd on DAZN in San Juan.

Back to the always comical WBA, as they ordered newly elevated welterweight titleholder Rolando Romero and mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov to meet next. Rolly supposed to, however, fight Manny Pacquiao in January.

They have also ordered WBA featherweight titlist Nick Ball to next face mandatory challenger Brandon Figueroa, which is a much better fight, if it comes off.

And, Matchroom announced super middleweight contenders Diego Pacheco and Kevin Lele Sadjo will meet in the main event Dec. 13 (DAZN) at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California. Meanwhile, WBC cruiserweight titlist Badou Jack and former titlist Noel Mikaelian will meet in a rematch on Dec.13 at a venue to be announced in Los Angeles. First fight was a highly disputed decision in May.

It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast

We got back to action in the ring in Philly and in Sheffield, England and we're ready to go over both the main events, add some fight news and more on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

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

First, a recap of Saturday night’s Matchroom/DAZN card in Philadelphia
Junior middleweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis TKO1 Uisma Lima, wins the (don't laught) vacant WBA interim title. So, what's next for Boots in this one? 

In the co-feature Heavyweight Guido Vianello KO5 of Alexis Barriere in what's likely his best win as a pro.

Then, we recap Saturday’s Matchroom/DAZN main event earlier in the day in the U.S. from  Sheffield, England 

Heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov out punched David Allen in a really intriguing fight for a 12 round decision. Is the name Anthony Johsua on the horizon, too?
Then, to some Fight news
Sebastian Fundora is injured, PBC postpones the Keith Thurman PPV fight and also, the entire Oct. 25 card is now gone. Dan has the latest on the reschedule of the main event and an uppdate on where the other fights are going?

Dan is reporting that WBO/IBF middleweight titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly and WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara deal is nearly done for them to in a three-belt unification that be co-feature on the Pitbull Cruz-Lamont Roach Jr. PBC PPV card on Dec. 6.

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev is off the Nov. 22 Ring magazine card. But, it's not an injury. Dan has learned more.

We reminisce on the passing of longtime ABC boxing analyst Alex Wallau who died at age 80 earlier last week. Wallau is definitely known for commentating on some significant fights in the 1980s in particular.

During the Ennis-Lima card, it was also announced that super middleweight Diego Pacheco will face  Kevin Lele Sadjo in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card on Dec. 13 in Stockton, California. Dan has more on Pacheco's opponent and is this his biggest threat to date?

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

Finally some decent action in the ring this weekend in both Philly and England and we're ready to go over it and the news and more on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast.

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are back aboard to go over it all.

They start with the preview of Saturday's Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Philadelphia

Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. Uisma Lima, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA interim junior middleweight title. Boots has moved up but the opponent is...questionable, to be kind. We discuss.

And, the co feature has Alexis Barriere vs. Guido Vianello, 10 rounds, heavyweights. Anything of note here? 

Next, a preview of the Saturday Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event in Sheffield, England

David Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov, 12 rounds, heavyweight main event. Allen is a popular fighter who's come out of retirement a couple of times and Makhmudov either KOs or gets Kay-oed. So, stay tuned.

Then, the News:

Arturo Gatti Jr., the 17 year old son of the legend and rising amateur fighter, allegedly commits suicide in Mexico this week. However, there should be questions asked, as his mother and Gatti Sr.'s widow is involved again just like the death investigation into the father's death in Brazil 16 years ago that is still shrouded in controversy. Dan has tremendous insight on this and T.J. is, let's just say, not buying the intial reports of a "suicide" for the younger Gatti, too.

Next the Issac "Pitbul" Cruzl- Lamont Roach bout had a  kick off news conference on Wednesday in San Antonio, TX ahead of their December 6 PBC Prime Video PPV. We have more.

IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla and mandatory challenger Andy Cruz have the mandatory ordered. Cruz's team at Matchroom didn’t want to negotiate and asked for immediate purse bid, which the IBF set for Oct. 16. What's it all mean and when will they likely fight?

And, Light heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker, the polarizing, brash and tremendously talented 2020 British Olympic silver medalist, has signed “a long-term” promotional contract with Matchroom Boxing, the company announced on Monday. Will he start fighting, as much as showboating and talking about it? Stay tuned.

Finally, Nostalgia

Oct. 8, 2005 – 20 years ago on Wednesday – Jose Luis Castillo, who missed weight by 3.5 lbs, was stripped of 135 title & whose team member was suspended for scale tampering, KO'd Diego Corrales in round 4 of a shootout in the rematch of their legendary first fight five months earlier. Big Dan was at the crazy weigh-in and then, ringside for the Castillo KO.

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

Coming up on Saturday night October 18th, former two-division champion Danny "Swift" Garcia ends a 13-month layoff and will headline his own Swift Promotions card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

Garcia will meet Daniel Gonzalez in a 10-round junior middleweight bout in what is billed as his “Farewell to Brooklyn”

However, before he steps into the ring once more, Garcia spoke at length to our insider Dan Rafael, who wanted to know more about why comeback? Why do it now and is he really serious about continuing to fight on after this bout?

Hear the very interesting answers to it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

It's arguably the greatest heavyweight title ever and it fight took place in Manila, Philippines (of all places) with "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali winning the trilogy fight with his arch rival "Smokin' Joe" Frazier dubbed "The Thrilla in Manila!"

And, on the 50th anniversary of Ali's win, we're recapping it on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael re-live the buildup to their third fight, why it ended up in the Far East and just how ridiculously hot it was that day in the arena?

Ali and Frazier pounded each other for 14 rounds before Frazier's corner stopped the bout for the Ali TKO to retain the heavyweight crown. It's still regarded half a century later as the hardest, toughest battle of both of their hall of fame careers.

This is as good as it gets with nostalgia!

And, make sure to follow/subscribe to this podcast feed on Apple/Spreaker//Spotify, etc.!

Yet another light week in the the ring, but we have plenty to go over and a former 2 time world champ joins us for a conversation too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return to go over it all.

First, a preview
Saturday in Lilliestram, Norway on "UFC Fight Pass," Ema Kozin vs. Cecilia Braekhus, for Kozin’s WBC/WBO women’s junior middleweight title

This is the announced farewell fight for Cecilia Braekhus at home in Norwway. She is the former longtime women’s undisputed welterweight champion and one of the best female boxers of all time. She made 25 welterweight title defenses during her 2009 to 2020 title reign.The guys talk her brillant career.

Then, a DANNY GARCIA interivew with Dan
Former two-division champion ends a 13-month layoff and will headline his own Swift Promotions card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, vs. Daniel Gonzalez, a 10-round junior middleweight bout later this month. It is billed as “Farewell to Brooklyn” for Garcia.
 
News

The 2026 International Boxing Hall of Fame ballots are out. Dan has the details on new editions in the various categories that will be voted on later in the year.

Next, Canelo Alvarez is now set for left elbow surgery on Oct. 23. We have the latest on the injury and does it impact his 2026 and beyond??

Next, it's official this week: Paramount+ and Zuffa Boxing announced their expected rights deal that will add Zuffa events to the streamer, which in August also announced a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to acquire all U.S. broadcast and streaming rights for sister company UFC.
Paramount+ will stream 12 Zuffa Boxing events in 2026 “with plans to grow that number in subsequent years.” The deal is for rights in the United States, Canada and Latin America. There is discussion.

Per Dan's reporting, Issac "Pitbull" Cruz vs. Lamont Roach is a PBC PPV and will be Dec. 6 at the Frost Bank Center, which is the home arena of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

And, WBO featherweight titlist Rafael Espinoza will make his fourth defense against Arnold Khegai in the headliner of a Zanfer Promotions card on Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosi, per multiple sources. Various other Top Rank fighters on the show including: Lindolfo Delgado, etc.


Finally, a little Nostalgia
Oct. 2, 2004 — 21 years ago on Thursday – Felix Trinidad exits a 2½-year retirement and returned to face fellow former welterweight and junior middleweight titlist Ricardo Mayorga in a middleweight bout at Madison Square Garden. Was a great battle, great KO, sick atmosphere. Big Dan was ringside and remembers it all well.


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

With another light weekend of action (or lack thereof) in the ring, we decided to go to a "heavyweight" in the boxing media outside of it. This, as ESPN's Mark Kriegel joined our coverage on Youtube and hear on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

On this special video/pod we have an extended conversation with the ESPN broadcaster and noted columnist/author for over 35 years, Kriegel, who has written a new book on Tyson's rise from trouble as a teenager into the fearsome heavyweight champ he became at just 20 years old.

It's called "Baddest Man... The Making Of Mike Tyson" and our insider Dan Rafael with T.J. Rives enjoyed reminiscing with Mark about the dominance of Tyson in the mid to late 1980s. Get tremendous insight on the early days of Mike Tyson's seemingly invincible dominance.

Make sure to like and subscribe to our "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc, !