Episodios

  • Naoya Inoue Wins Thrilling Sunday Night Battle But Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney And Canelo All Struggled | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Naoya Inoue Wins Thrilling Sunday Night Battle But Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney And Canelo All Struggled | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    May 5 2025
    It was a CRAZY weekend of fights that thankfully saved the best for last as "The Monster" Naoya Inoue had to get off the canvas himself to rally and score a Sunday night KO. We are ready to go over his win and the upset of Ryan Garcia and a lackluster Canelo performance in Saudi Arabia on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap podcast!

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

    They start with Inoue's dramatics in Las Vegas defeating little known Ramon Cardenas to retain the four undisputed 122 lb. belts. WOW. What a fight and it saved a lackluster weekend. Dan and T.J. have thoughts on that and the Rafael Espinoza title win at featherweight in the co-feature.

    Then, they back up to recap Friday’s Ring Times Square DAZN PPV

    Rolando Romero upsets Ryan Garcia by decision and wins his biggest fight to date. What happened to Garcia?

    And while Devin Haney won in 12 over Jose Ramirez, he looked shaky too. Now, he's still supposed to fight Garcia in a arematch next??

    Meantime, Teofimo Lopez looked solid and beat Arnold Barboza, to keep his lineal/WBO 140 lb title

    Then to Saturday’s Riyadh Season DAZN PPV in Saudi Arabia

    Canelo Alvarez beat William Scull and again, becomes undisputed at 168 lb. But this was far from a great performance with Scull running all fight long. Concerns from Dan on Canelo?

    The guys discuss Canelo-Crawford announced for Sept.12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. And go over the undercard with

    Badou Jack and Jaime Munguia winning and a disgusting draw for Efe Ajagba in a fight he clearly won with Martin Bakole.


    Recap Sunday’s Top Rank ESPN card in Las Vegas Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas, for Inoue’s undisputed 122 Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez, for Espinoza’s WBO 126 News Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia says he had elbow surgery, sidelined 6-8 weeks As expected, the WBO stripped Sebastian Fundora of its junior middleweight world title on Thursday for failing to comply with its order of a mandatory defense against Xander Zayas. Nostalgia May 5, 2007 – 18 years ago on Monday – Mayweather W12 Oscar biggest money fight in history to that point. Rafael ringside. We have taped it. May 7, 2005 – 20 years ago Wednesday – greatest fight ever Corrales TKO10 Castillo to unify lightweight titles. Rafael ringside. We’ve taped it
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    1 h y 13 m
  • Ryan Garcia Devin Haney Teofimo Lopez In Times Square NYC, Canelo In Saudi Arabia And Inoue In Vegas | BFW Preview

    Ryan Garcia Devin Haney Teofimo Lopez In Times Square NYC, Canelo In Saudi Arabia And Inoue In Vegas | BFW Preview
    May 2 2025
    A HUGE weekend of action to go over from NYC to Saudi Arabia and back to Las Vegas with massive names headlining and we'll go over it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael are ready to mix it up and analze the rare three fight nights in a row to start the month of May

    The begin with the preview of Friday Turki Alashikh/DAZN PPV in New York’s Times Square
    Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
    Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez, welterweights
    Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza, for Lopez’s lineal/WBO junior welterweight title

    Next, in order, a preview of the Saturday Riyadh Season / DAZN PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull, 12 rounds, WBC/WBO/WBA/IBF super middleweight unification
    Badou Jack vs. Noel Mikaelian, 12 rounds, for Jack’s WBC cruiserweight title
    Bruno Surace vs. Jaime Munguia, rematch, 12 rounds, super middleweights
    Efe Ajagba vs. Martin Bakole, 10 rounds, heavyweights

    And finally, another preview for the Sunday Top Rank/ ESPN card in Las Vegas
    Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas, 12 rounds, for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight title
    Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez, 12 rounds, for Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title

    Then, some News:

    Change of PBC summer plans: Out Tim Tszyu-Keith Thurman and Sebastian Funora-Xander Zayas, In Fundora-Tszyu rematch, as Fundora will vacate WBO title and Zayas will fight for the vacant title. Dan goes over why?

    Former WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury posts social media video with SugarHill Steward that basically says he is ending his his retirement. We all knew that he was trying to fight Anthony Joshua this Summer all along.

    Meanwhile, heavyweight Jarrell Miller is out of a Fabio Wardley fight with supposed shoulder injury, Queensberry finalizing paperwork with replacement Justis Huni of Australia per Dan's reporting.

    And, Matchroom and DAZN make four events official: --

    May 28 in Yokohama, Japan, Eduardo Nunez vs. Masanori Rikiihsi, for vacant IBF junior lightweight title

    --May 30: Guadalajara, Mexico, Manuel Gallegos vs. Khalil Coe, rematch, light heavyweights

    --June 14: New York, Richardson Hitchins vs. George Kambosos, for Hitchins’ IBF jr welterweight

    --July 19: Frisco, Texas, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Phumelele Cafu, WBC/WBO junior bantamweight unification and Diego Pacheco vs. Trevor McCumby, super middleweights

    Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to get all of our pod content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify and find our video content on Youtube/Big Fight Weekend!
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    52 m
  • Canelo Alvarez One on One With Dan Rafeal | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Canelo Alvarez One on One With Dan Rafeal | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Apr 29 2025
    Canelo Alvarez gets set to make his 2025 ring debut in a new place for him, Saudi Arabia. And, before his super middleweight title fight, he's here to discuss why it's there and more with our insider Dan Rafael on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

    Canelo talks why he did the multi-fight deal with Turki Alashikh and the Saudi Entertainment Authority and will fight in the Middle East for the first time in Riyadh early Sunday a.m. there time. Alvarez will take on little known/newly crowned IBF 168 lb. champ William Scull in a bid to be the undisputed champ for the second time.

    Hear the full conversation as part of this podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe for all the content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc!
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    11 m
  • Chris Eubank Jr Defeats Conor Benn In Epic Battle + Canelo Alvarez With Dan And More! | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Chris Eubank Jr Defeats Conor Benn In Epic Battle + Canelo Alvarez With Dan And More! | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Apr 28 2025
    We are ready to go with the recap of what may end up being the Fight of the Year for 2025, as Chris Eubank Jr. outslugged Conor Benn in their London main event Saturday night. Plus, you'll hear from one of the active legends of the sport, Canelo Alvarez as he readies to return to the ring this weekend in Saudi Arabia. It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives returns to break it down with insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter

    They begin with Saturday’s DAZN PPV in London
    as Eubank Jr. and Benn waged such a great battle that reminded of their father's two fights in the early 1990's. The guys go over it all and will we see it again later this Fall.
    Also, the rest of the undercard is reviewed including:
    Light heavyweight Anthony Yarde decisioning Lyndon Arthur in their third fight (Yarde now 2-1). What's next for Yarde?
    Middleweight Aaron McKenna gets the best "named win" over his career yet by beating vetern Liam Smith by decision. And Cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Chris Billam-Smith were also victorious.

    Then, hear CANELO in his own words with Big Dan before he headlines on Saturday’s PPV vs. IBF 168 titlist William Scull for the undisputed title. Canelo has lot to detail about why he did the multi-fight deal with Turki Alishikh etc.

    Next, some news
    Sunday it was announced that Oleksandr Usyk will fight Daniel Dubois in a rematch for undisputed heavyweight title as deal is done for July 19 at Wembley Stadium. We have the latest. And, Top Rank announces WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman Jr. is in fact headed to Japan to make his second defense vs. Jin Sasaki on June 19 (ESPN+ in the U.S) at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

    Nostalgia -- for more on:
    April 29, 2017 – 8 years ago on Tuesday – Anthony Joshua TKO11 Wladimir Klitschko to retain IBF and win vacant WBA heavyweight title at Wembley with Dan at ringside for that awesome scene.

    April 29, 2000 – 25 years ago on Tuesday – Lennox Lewis KO2 Michael Grant to retain the linea/WBC/IBF heavyweight title. Dan's ringside for first ever live fight coverage as the USA Today fulltime national writer.

    Go watch those nostalgia videos on our Big Fight Weekend youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@bigfightweekend9132/featured

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


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    1 h y 7 m
  • Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn Grudge Match In London, Tank-Roach Rematch Update And More! | BFW Preview Podcast

    Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn Grudge Match In London, Tank-Roach Rematch Update And More! | BFW Preview Podcast
    Apr 25 2025
    We are ready for a classic, British "grudge match" that is over two years in the making, as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

    They start with a preview of Saturday’s Turki Alahiikh/DAZN card in London

    Rivals Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr., finally meet after an over two year delay due to Benn failing a PED test prior to their 2022 bout. Will we see fireworks like the elder Eubank battling the elder Benn in the early 1990s?? The guys discuss.

    It's a solid undercard with veteran Liam Smith meeting unbeaten but untested Aaron McKenna in a middleweight showdown.

    Also, Anthony Yarde takes on Lyndon Arthur in their third fight, as the light heavyweights have split their two meetings. The winner stays relevant in the contender picture, too.

    Alos, former WBO cruiser weight champ Chris Billam-Smith is back on this show.

    Then, some News

    Dan is reporting on Tank Davis-Lamont Roach 2, which was penciled in for June 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will still take place but will move into July or August.

    Also, Dan has learned that Top Rank and PBC have an agreement to put on WBC junior lightweight titlist O’Shaquie Foster defending against WBC featherweight titlist Steven Fulton that isn't signed yet, but there's a plan to have it as the Tank-Roach 2 co-feature assuming it gets finalized.

    The IBF officially ordered the Daniel Dubois heavyweight mandatory vs. Derek Chisora. But, Dubois can get out of for the next fight if the Oleksandr Usyk unification is finalized before the purse bid is ordered.

    Comically, the WBA outlined its welterweight title situation – approved (as fully expected) Ryan Garcia-Rolando Romero for the vacant “regular” title on May 2. Jaron Ennis, now the “super” champion, ordered to fight mandatory Shakhram Giyasov next. WBA said Ennis-Giyasov winner will be mandated to face the Garcia-Romero winner (but highly unlikely next since it’s going to be Garcia-Devin Haney II in the fall if they win May 2).

    Finally, Dan is also reporting that Top Rank and Ohashi Promotions are discussions WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman vs. Japanese contender Jin Sasaki in Japan or might the Ennis unification still happen?

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

    And, SEE our nostalgia fights for this weekend on the Big Fight Weekend Youtube page, as well!
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    1 h y 3 m
  • Gabriela Fundora And Dalton Smith Win, Fight News + Mayweather, Canelo Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Gabriela Fundora And Dalton Smith Win, Fight News + Mayweather, Canelo Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Apr 21 2025
    Fight Cards all over the globe, all weekend and we're ready to recap them with host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"


    The guys being with a recap of the Sunday Boxxer/Sky Sports main event in Birmingham, England
    Light heavyweight Ben Whittaker TKO2 Liam Cameron, rematch of their technical draw, with Whittaker causing controversy with his behavior post-TKO.

    Next, it's a recap Saturday Golden Boy/DAZN in Oceanside, Calif.
    Flyweight Gabriela Fundora stops Marilyn Badillo and retains undisputed women’s title. She has a bright future. In the co-feature, junior middleweight Jorge Garcia Perez stuns contender Charles Conwell in a split decision. How damaged is Conwell now?

    Also, there's a recap Saturday of the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Sheffield, England
    Junior welterweight Dalton Smith scored a dominant decision over Mathieu Germain, but couldn't put him away. Smith has a title shot coming at 140 lb. Plus, junior lightweight Josh Warrington ended his brief "retirement" beating Asad Asif Khan

    And, a nostalgic recap Friday in a main event in Chelyabinsk, Russia
    Once fearsome three-time and former unified light heavyweight titleholder and longtime pound-for-pound list entrant Sergey Kovalev, in what he said would be the final fight of his 16-year career, scored two knockdowns and stopped former cruiserweight title challenger Artur Mann in the seventh round in a cruiserweight bout. Dan refelcts on it all.

    Then, some News
    Turki Al-Sheikh announces a July 12 NYC card: Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, WBC super middleweight eliminator, Shakur Stevenson battles William Zepeda, for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title + Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias, for Puello’s WBC junior welterweight title and David Morrell vs. Imam Khataev, light heavyweights. This is LOADED for July.

    Next, Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. PPV announced for June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. MVP is doing the event with Golden Boy, which has the co-feature in WBO/WBA cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defending against mandatory challenger and former two-time titlist Yuniel Dorticos. The guys aren't jiving with this Jake Paul choice of opponent.

    Finally, WBC bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani and IBF titlist Ryosuke Nishida will meet to unify their belts on June 8 (ESPN+ in the U.S.) at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Dan has more on the significance

    Nostalgia
    April 20, 2002 – 23 years ago Sunday --- Floyd Mayweather won a close decision over Jose Luis Castillo to win WBC lightweight title via controversial decision in their first fight. Did Floyd really lose?

    April 20, 2013 – 12 years ago Sunday – Canelo Alvarez defeated unbeaten Austin Trout to unify the WBC and WBA 154 titles and win the vacant Ring title. Big Dan has a tremendous reason for not being there that night in San Antonio, TX.

    Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify!
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    1 h y 9 m
  • Dalton Smith And Gabriela Fundora Headline Cards, News And Holyfield-Foreman Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast

    Dalton Smith And Gabriela Fundora Headline Cards, News And Holyfield-Foreman Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast
    Apr 18 2025
    We're back with another busy weekend of main event fight cards on two continents, we have some fight news and some heavyweight nostalgia too on the latest "The Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return with insight and takes on it all.

    First, they preview the Saturday Matchroom Boxing DAZN card at Sheffield, England

    Dalton Smith returns vs. Mathieu Germain in a 12 rounds junior welterweight battle. Is Smith ready to take big steps. Plus, wasn't Josh Warrington retired??? Apparently not, as he'll meet someone named Asad Asif Khan in the junior lightweight co-feature.

    Next, we look at the Saturday from Golden Boy / DAZN at Oceanside, Calif., where

    Gabriela Fundora is already back to meet Marilyn Badillo for Fundora’s undisputed women’s flyweight title. The exciting sister of Sebastian Fundora can really punch, as well. Also, unbeaten Charles Conwell is in the junior middleweight co-feature.

    And, we also preview Sunday Boxxer card on Sjy Sports in UK and TrillerTV+ in US in Birmingham, England

    Cocky Ben Whittaker rematches Liam Cameron in a light heavyweight bout. We discuss whether Whittaker's act is a little too much for his lack of accomplishment.

    Then, some news
    Dan is reporting that Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is working to get a deal done for WBC junior bantamweight titlist Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and WBO titlist Phumelele Cafu to meet to unify their belts in the main event of a DAZN card eyed for July 19 in Dallas. He gives us all the info.

    Plus, it looks like Heavyweights Frank Sanchez and Filip Hrgovic, the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF ratings, are ready to fight.

    Also, Eddie Hearn said after Boots-Stanionis bout last weekend that he is talking to Top Rank/Bob Arum about Ennis-Brian Norman for later this Summer.

    Hamzah Sheeraz, who is moving up to super middleweight after his disappointing draw challenging WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames in February, announced he will do so with a new trainer in Andy Lee.

    And, Top Rank made Keyshawn Davis WBO lightweight defense vs. Edwin De Los Santos official on Thursday. It will be June 7the at the Scope in Norfolk, Virginia.
    Also announced co-feature: lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason stepping up in class against Jeremia Nakathila.

    Nostalgia
    April 19, 1991 – 34 years ago on Saturday -- Evander Holyfield decisioned George Foreman to retain the undisputed heavyweight title. This was a HUGE fight in more ways than one. The guys go over it all.

    Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Al Bernstein And Barry Tompkins Conversation On Hagler-Hearns 40th Anniversary! 4 15 25

    Al Bernstein And Barry Tompkins Conversation On Hagler-Hearns 40th Anniversary! 4 15 25
    Apr 15 2025
    It's the greatest opening round in boxing history as Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas "Hitman" Hearns blasted each other on April 15th, 1985 in Las Vegas. And, our guys Dan Rafael and T.J. Rives are ready to remember it all with legendary, hall of fame broadcasters Al Bernstein and Barry Tompkins.

    The future International Boxing Hall of Famer Bernstein was on the closed circuit/PPV call with also later legend, Al Michaels, that night. Meanwhile, fellow future hall of famer Tompkins was on the tape delayed call with Sugar Ray Leonard and Larry Merchant for HBO.

    Both guys reminisce about the mayhem of that short fight, as Hagler and Hearns bombed away from the opening bell and eventually, Marvin kayoed Hearns in the third round for the signature moment of his career.

    Hear their stories and memories, including some things that you likely didn't know about that night in the desert, etc.

    It's all part of our "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" coverage for this special anniversary and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    1 h y 14 m
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