Folgen

  • Zuffa Boxing Showing Hypocrisy With Conor Benn Signing? | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Zuffa Boxing Showing Hypocrisy With Conor Benn Signing? | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Feb 24 2026
    It's a SWERVE in the boxing promotional world as the new start up, Zuffa Boxing, in the U.S. has snatched away British prominent fighter Conor Benn from U.K. based Matchroom Boxing.

    We had a spirited discussion on this weekend's "Fight Freaks Unite Recap," as host T.J. Rives particularly is criticizing the terms of the signing by Zuffa and how it hypocritically contradicts their supposed "revolutionizing" boxing promotions with their own system, fighter pay model and ignoring the boxing organizations.

    Insider Dan Rafael provides his counter points, but also agrees and is questioning how Zuffa can justify the apparent ridiculous money that Benn is getting for a "one off" fight with them?

    Benn is off his career best win defeating Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch last November. And what about how he left Matchroom, whom had stood by him, including financially, during his PED suspension?

    Enjoy this portion of the Pod and a reminder to hear the whole show, just click the previous podcast on this feed. And, make sure to follow/subscribe for all the content here on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    16 Min.
  • Ryan Garcia Dominates Barrios, Leigh Wood Wins Warrington Rematch + Conor Benn Signs With Zuffa | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Ryan Garcia Dominates Barrios, Leigh Wood Wins Warrington Rematch + Conor Benn Signs With Zuffa | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Feb 23 2026
    A Tremendous performance by Ryan Garcia leads the weekend and we talk about his long awaited world title win on Saturday night in Vegas, plus the rest of the PPV card, a win for Leigh Wood in his all British showdown and some very intriguing fight news too on the "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.

    The start with the Ring mag DAZN PPV card Saturday night in Las Vegas ,as Ryan Garcia dominated Mario Barrios over 12 and wins the WBC welterweight crown. It was a great performance by "King Ry" and we dissect why.

    Next the Richardson Hitchins IBF 140 lb. defense with Oscar Duarte was canceled Saturday late morning in Vegas. Dan has the latest on what happened and why the conspiracy theorists should PIPE DOWN.

    Also, Gary Antuanne Russell W12 over Andy Hiraoka, and keeps the WBA junior welterweight crown

    Frank Martin had a draw with Nahir Albright in a junior welterweight clash.

    Bektemir Melikuziev deeats Sena Agbeko,and keeps WBA "Continental" super middleweight crown

    Plus Amari Jones and Mohammed Alakel get KOs, but American heayweight Joshua Edwards struggled over six rounds with his opponent, Brandon Colantonio.

    Next the Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event Saturday in Nottingham, England

    Leigh Wood won an easy 12 rounder for the most part with Josh Warrington, in their junor lightweight rematch. Could it have been both of their final fights?

    Next, some NEWS
    Hall of famer Floyd Mayweather, who turns 49 on Tuesday, announces he will exit retirement for an official fight later this summer after his spring exhibition with Mike Tyson slated for Afrrica.... WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!

    Next, in something of shocker, British welterweight star Conor Benn has signed with Zuffa Boxing, they announced on Friday. Per Dan's sources it is one-fight deal worth a staggering $15 million to fight by the end of May. There are lots of takes, including T.J. pointing out that Zuffa is not raally revolutionizing anything... they're just like all the other promotions competing for fighters and willing to overpay to do it.

    And finally unified cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez, the WBC light heavyweight titleholder moving up in weight, met he media on Saturday morning in Las Vegas to officially announce their May 2 PBC on Prime Video PPV fight, which will take place T-Mobile Arena.
    Dan has some thoughts on the kickoff presser.

    Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    1 Std. und 13 Min.
  • Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia PPV, Leigh Wood-Josh Warrington In England + Fight News | BFW Preview Podcast

    Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia PPV, Leigh Wood-Josh Warrington In England + Fight News | BFW Preview Podcast
    Feb 20 2026
    It's an intriguing weekend of fights and we're ready to go over it all from Las Vegas to England and back to Detroit on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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


    First, Saturday’s Ring magazine DAZN PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
    Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia, 12 rounds, for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title, There are more questions than answers about both of these guys, but mainly for Garcia in this one. What kind of fighter is he still? We're about to find out.

    The co feature is Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte, 12 rounds, for Hitchins’ IBF junior welterweight title and Gary Antuanne Russell meets Andy Hiraoka, 12 rounds, for Russell’s WBA junior welterweight title. We have takes and could these two meet in a unification bout?

    Dan also has quick insight on:

    Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
    Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko, 10 rounds, super middleweights
    Amari Jones vs. Luis Arias, 10 rounds, middleweights
    Joshua Edwards vs. Brandon Colantonio, 6 rounds, heavyweights
    Mohammed Alakel vs. David Calabro, 6 rounds, junior lightweights

    Then, it's Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Nottingham, England
    Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington, rematch, 12 rounds, junior lightweights. This will have an atmosphere and let's see if the fight lives up to the build up. Wood won easily the first time.

    And, also, Sunday’s Salita Promotions DAZN main event in Detroit
    Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn, rematch, 10 rounds, for Shields’ women’s undisputed heavyweight title. She's arguably the top women's fighter of this generation, but she doesn't punch that hard and has had very little challenges recently. This bout is a rematch and let's see if Shields is dominant again.

    Next, some news

    Golden Boy and Team Vergil Ortiz are set for Friday hearing in Las Vegas on their lawsuit battles and the temporary restraining order that GB got to stop Ortiz, for now, from negotiating without him. We have more on the situation. Meanwhile, Golden Boy announces March 14 "one-off" card with DAZN at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California-

    Arnold Barboza Jr. will move up to welterweight and face Kenneth Sims Jr.in the main event
    Also: WBO/WBA strawweight champion Oscar Collazo defends vs. Jesus Haro but not the three-belt unification originally planned vs. WBC titlist Melvin Jerusalem
    Plus, women’s undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora vs. WBA interim titlist Viviana Ruiz Corredor

    Next, the announcement that Manny Pacquiao, age 47, will face former junior welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round welterweight exhibition bout on April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Industry Media and Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions announced on Tuesday night. Ready? WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!

    And, Queensberry Promotions had the official announcement that WBO heavyweight titleholder Fabio Wardley will make his first defense against British countryman and former IBF titlist Daniel Dubois on May 9 at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.
    It's all on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    47 Min.
  • Mario Barrios Conversation With Dan Rafael 2 17 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Mario Barrios Conversation With Dan Rafael 2 17 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Feb 18 2026
    Coming up Saturday night February 21st in Las Vegas, WBC welterweight champ Mario Barrios returns in a pay per view main event against Ryan Garcia. However, before we get to fight week Barrios spent time with our insider Dan Rafael discussing several subjects.

    These include his draw last Summer with hall of famer Manny Pacquiao, the feud that Garcia has created with Barrios' trainer Joe Goossen, who was briefly trained by Goossen and what's the future of the welterweight division?

    Barrios has been in the ring with the likes of Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Keith Thurman, as well as the legend Pacquiao, and now he headlines with the social media star Garcia in a massive financial and career moment, again.

    Hear him in his own words with Dan, as fight week gets cranked up in Vegas.

    It's all part our of coverage here on the Big Fight Weekend Podcast feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    16 Min.
  • Richardson Hitchins Conversation With Dan Rafael 2 15 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Richardson Hitchins Conversation With Dan Rafael 2 15 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Feb 16 2026
    Coming up Saturday night in Las Vegas, IBF junior welterweight champ Richardson Hitchins will face Oscar Duarte at T-Mobile Arena on the undercard of the Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia PPV.

    The bout will be the second IBF defense for Hitchins and before he makes it, he spent some time with our insider Dan Rafael. They discuss the battle with the veteran Duarte and the future for the New Yorker at 140 lb. should he be victorious?

    Hear it here on our podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    15 Min.
  • Mario Barrios With Dan + Efe Ajagba In Zuffa Boxing Sunday Main Event | BFW Preview Podcast

    Mario Barrios With Dan + Efe Ajagba In Zuffa Boxing Sunday Main Event | BFW Preview Podcast
    Feb 13 2026
    It's a light weekend in the ring, but there is a heavyweight main event of note, plus, a world champ who's about to defend joins us one on one. All 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.

    First, a preview of the Zuffa Boxing Paramount+ card on Sunday at Apex in Las Vegas
    Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin, 10 rounds, heavyweights. What do either of these guys have at this stage with both having recent losses and having been relatively inactive?


    Next, Dan talks with Mario Barrios, as he defends the WBC welterweight title vs. Ryan Garcia in the main event of the Ring magazine DAZN PPV card on Feb. 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    And, some news
    Errol Spence vs. Tim Tszyu in works for June in Australia? Spence out of a near three year hiatius. Is he really coming back? We discuss.

    Next- Announced Thursday: Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Mahkmudov will take place at Tottrernham Hotspur Stadium in London for Aprill 11.

    Also,Osleys Iglesias, a heavy-hitting Cuban southpaw, and Russia’s Pavel Silyagin will fight for the vacant IBF super middleweight title April 9 in Montreal in the Eye of the Tiger main event.

    Baltimore circuit court judge Althea Handy has recalled the arrest warrant issued for Gervonta Davis and instead, at the request of his lawyer, instead issue a summons to appear and order GPS monitoring. Will Davis comply and show up, though? And, his legal troubles are still in progress thre and in South Florida on domestic violence charges.

    And, a little chit chat on Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas being part of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show Sunday night!

    And, a happy birthday shoutout to legendary HBO broadcaster Larry Merchant for turning an amazing 95 years old!

    It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    58 Min.
  • Brandon Figueroa Dramatic KO Of Nick Ball + Floyd Mayweather Sues Showtime | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Brandon Figueroa Dramatic KO Of Nick Ball + Floyd Mayweather Sues Showtime | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Feb 9 2026
    We are back off a weekend with world title fights in Mexico and England, including a dramatic KO in the final round for a former champ, who's a champ, again. We have that and fight news, including a hall of famer filing suit for what he says are hundreds of millions owed. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack And Newsletter

    First we talk Saturday’s Queensberry/DAZN main event in Liverpool
    Featherweight Brandon Figueroa scores a dramatic TKO12 over Nick Ball and wins the WBA title. The guys discuss the huge final round, the silliness of Ball's corner and supporters after the fight in the ring and what are the options for Figueroa, now?

    Then, they talk Friday’s Matchroom/BXSTARS/DAZN main event in Guadalajara, Mexico
    Bantamweight Christian Medina wins convincingly over Adrian Curiel by decision, retains WBO title.

    Next some News
    Flloyd Mayweather sues Showtime, Stephen Espinoza for $340 million and punitive damages late last week saying he's owed for mega-fights with Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor. Dan has the lawsuit and particulars and the boys discuss.

    Talks under way for Fabio Wardley to defend WBO heavyweight title vs. Daniel Dubois. Dan thinks it's compelling... TJ, not so much.

    Two-time featherweight title challenger Michael Conlan, the popular two-time Irish Olympian aiming to land another shot, will fight Kevin Walsh in a Belfast, Northern Ireland, hometown bout on March 20 (DAZN) at SSE Arena on an MF Pro card.

    And, MVP set for first UK card with four women’s world title fights with Caroline Dubois-Terri Harper headlining in a lightweight unification bout. We discuss.

    It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    1 Std. und 3 Min.
  • Nick Ball Battles Brandon Figueroa For WBA Featherweight Title + Shakur Stevenson Stripped And More! | BFW Preview Podcast

    Nick Ball Battles Brandon Figueroa For WBA Featherweight Title + Shakur Stevenson Stripped And More! | BFW Preview Podcast
    Feb 6 2026
    We're back to go over two separate world title main events in both Mexico and England, plus, LOTS of fight news, too on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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

    Previews
    Matchroom/BXSTARS card Friday night on DAZN in Guadalajara, Mexico
    Christian Medina vs. Adrian Curiel, for Medina’s WBO bantamweight title. Should be a highly competitve world title fight.
    Queensberry card Saturday on DAZN in Liverpool, England
    Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa, for Ball’s WBA featherweight title. This fight has the makings of an entertaining, brawling battle.

    News
    WBC strips Shakur Stevenson of lightweight belt in an apparent sanctioning fee dispute like with Crawford. We HAVE TAKES!

    Baltimore judge in Gervonta Davis hit and run case issues warrant for his arrest due violating probation terms related the domestic violence case in Miami Gardens, Florida. Will he be doing time again in Baltimore.

    Bakhram Murtazaliev, who lost the IBF junior middleweight title by majority decision to Josh Kelly last Saturday, has formally asked the IBF to order an immediate rematch. What kind of chance does he have?

    Lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who became the first current champion to sign with upstart Zuffa Boxing last month and whose first fight with the company was announced for March 8 (Paramount+) at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, will face Brandon Glanton, per source to Dan.

    Mandatory challenger Liam Paro will have the Australian home advantage when he challenges IBF welterweight titlist Lewis Crocker after his promoter, No Limit Boxing, beat Matchoom Boxing in a purse bid on Tuesday. Dan has the details on how it happened.

    With Diego Pacheco pulling out of talks with Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant WBO super middleweight title, Sheeraz will fight Alem Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), 38, of Germany, whose record is glittering but whose resume is devoid of a single notable foe. The fight hasn’t been announced yet but, per Dan sources, it will take place May 9 in Manchester, England.

    Nostalgia
    First-ever HBO “Boxing After Dark” card at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where Marco Antonio Barrera TKO12 Kennedy McKinney in a spectacular war – Feb. 3, 1996 – 30 years ago on Tuesday.

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