Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

tj
  • 4.8 (273)
  • Sports
  • Updated Semiweekly

From the opening bell to the final round, our boxing shows are tailored to the fight fan of today and even, yesterday. Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael, who is the premier boxing media personality in the U.S., come your way with a Friday preview and a Monday recap of everything in the boxing ring, every weekend. Plus, you'll hear from the biggest named fighters present and past in one on one interviews. And, the guys LOVE to talk nostalgia of the great fighters like Muhammad Ail, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquaio and more. If you are even a casual boxing fan, you will want to be with us on the "Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast Feed."

  1. 10h ago

    Emanuel Navarrete Battles O'Shaquie Foster, Dalton Smith Defends In England + Shakur Bails On Zuffa! | BFW Preview Podcast 10 22 26

    We are ready for two championship fight cards in San Antonio, TX and Sheffield, England, plus, there are some interesting developments with Canelo's planned card next weekend and a prominent name divorces Zuffa Boxing befofe he ever fights for them. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack/Podcast for their insight and takes. First, they preview Saturday’s Top Rank DAZN card in San Antonio Emanuel Navarrete vs. O’Shaquie Foster, WBO/IBF/WBC junior lightweight unification. Tremendous matchup on paper. What happens in the "Alamo City?" in this one? On the undercard, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez vs. Edward Vazquez, 10 rounds, featherweights and  Frank Martin vs. Tarik Zaina, 10 rounds, junior welterweights. Dan has more.   Next, Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN main event in Sheffield, England Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello, 12 rounds, for Smith’s WBC junior welterweight title. High stakes here at 140 lb., including a potential fight with a fighter we're talking about below that's now a free agent!   Some news: PBC announcement of the Dec. 5th DAZN PPV in Glendale, Arizona: David Benavidez headlines vs. Michal Cieslak, WBO/WBA/WBC cruiserweight unification. Benavidez is a massive fan favorite in Arizona and should roll here. The co-feature has Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Keith Thurman, 12 rounds, middleweights. This is the best we can do for Vergil? And, also on the undercard, Emiliano Vargas, Marco Romero and Nikita Tszyu are all in separate fights, against opponents to be named.   Next, Shocker! Shakur Stevenson asked for and given his release by Zuffa Boxing three months into deal and never having fought – There is no spin, it's a VERY bad look for Zuffa. This, includes further illustrating that they haven't accomplished anything with garnering big time talent or putting promotions and organizations out of business. Now, we wonder whether they are really in trouble??   Speaking of trouble- we update the Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli situation for next Saturday in Riyadh, as folks involved begin making the trip, but others are not going or unsure of how to get there with the missle attacks and threats? What. Are. We. Doing. Here?! with this card going forward...   Also, Jaron Ennis signs 7 fight contract extension with Matchroom, which also signs Englishman Joish Kelly to an extension ahead of imminent announcement of their unification 154 lb,. fight likely first quarter of next year.   And, Lucas Bahdi appeals to WBA to order 135 lb. title rematch with Floyd Shofield on the basis of missed knockdowns in their title fight two weeks ago. We have more on why it likely won't go anywhere.   And, finally, strawweight champion Oscar Collazo's mandatory has been ordered and he plans to return to 105 after injury and cancelation of flyweight title shot earlier this month. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

  2. 4d ago

    Daniel Dubois Destroys Fabio Wardley and Sebastian Fundora Wins Easily + Devin Haney Fighting Shakur Stevnson? | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    The heavyweight rematch was a quick destruction in London and the WBC Jr. Middleweight title bout in Vegas was a one-sided win, but we're ready to go over it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack to go over it all and give their takes.   First, a recap of Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN PPV main event Heavyweight Daniel Dubois destroys with a TKO2 Fabio Wardley, in their rematch and retains the WBO title. Wardley clearly had nothing and Dubois is now an even bigger threat and about to get even wealthier at heavyweight with what happens next?   Next, they recap Saturday’s PBC “The Fight” card on DAZN and TNT Junior middleweight Sebastian Fundora TKO12 Ermal Hadribeaj, retains WBC 154 – But, when is a knockout not really a "knockout" if it happens after the final bell? Dan is READY TO LAUNCH on referee Thomas Taylor's actions and verdict in stopping a fight that was already over after the ifinal bell.    On the under card, super middleweight Armando Resendiz as a late replacement W10 Koen Mazoudier from Australia. probably best fight on the Vegas card. And, middleweight prospect Marco Romero KO1 Brauli Ferreira to grow the intrigue around him.   Then, we discuss the Brandon Figueroa--Tomoki Kameda fight being canceled. Figueroa was stripped of the WBA featherweight title for missing weight Friday and the fight got completely canceled when he later became ill from it. What now for Figueroa?   Next, some news: Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have been trading insults on social media but also in talks  to still fight for Haney's WBO welterweight crown, but alas, they have collapsed, again, if the fight was ever happening. Now, both are looking at new fights. Dan has more on that, too.   Matchroom Boxing announces lineup for its annual card in Monte Carlo in December.   A date and site are set for the vaant WBO super middleweight title bout between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Jacob Bank. Dan has the deets.   And, happy 68th birthday on Sunday the all-time legend Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, Hall of Famer, first to win titles in five divisions (welterweight to light heavyweight). We talk about his legendary career. Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    Daniel Dubois Destroys Fabio Wardley and Sebastian Fundora Wins Easily + Devin Haney Fighting Shakur Stevnson? | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

  3. 5d ago

    O'Shaquie Foster Conversation With Dan Rafael 10 17 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Coming up next weekend in San Antonio, TX, it's a very intriquing 130 lb. showdown for three of the world titles, as WBC champ O'Shaquie Foster meets two belt title holder Emanuel Navarrete in one of the best fights in the remaining weeks of 2026. But before fight week, our insider Dan Rafael has a one on one interview with Foster about the battle with Navarrete that will also determine supremacy in the division. Plus, O'Shaquie is fantastic story, having been in jail years ago and maybe, was on the verge of never having a boxing career. Now, he's a prominent fighter fighting in lucrative, world title bouts, just like Saturday night 10/24 and this is certainly an intriguing one. Hear him with Dan on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe for more great content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    O'Shaquie Foster Conversation With Dan Rafael 10 17 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

  4. Oct 16

    Daniel Dubois-Fabio Wardley Rematch + Sebastian Fundora Defends In Vegas and O'Shaquie Foster Joins Us | BFW Preview Podcast

    We are back with a jammed packed weekend of action in London and Las Vegas, plus a world champ joins us in advance of his unficiation showdown later in the month. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" podcast! Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter with all the info and takes. First, a preview of Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN PPV fight in London Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley, rematch, 12 rounds, for Dubois’ WBO heavyweight title. It was fantastic dramatic fight in May. Will the rematch live up to fight one or will Dubois dominate like he did in the back half of the first bout?   Next, they preview Saturday night PBC DAZN/TNT/truTV “The Fight” in Las Vegas Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj, for Fundora’s WBC junior middleweight title. The dominant guy at 154 lb. is back and will he get much of a challenge?   In the co-feature, Brandon Figueroa vs. Tomoki Kameda, for Figueroa’s WBA featherweight title. Will Figueroa deliver a big win and set himself up at 126 lb.?   And, a solid undercard bout Armando Resendiz vs. Koen Mazoudier, super middleweights is discussed.   Next O'Shaquie Foster joins Dan, as he faces Emanuel Navarrete in a three-belt junior lightweight unification fight in the Top Rank main event on Oct. 25 on DAZN in San Antonio.   News WBA middleweight titlist Erisandy Lara will defend against Tim Tszyu in Noveber in Australia. Will be a PBC/DAZN fight in the US. Dan's reporting is the bout will be Nov. 27 or 28.  An update that two prominent worldwide sporting events have now been postponed in Saudi Arabia. So, what will happen shortly with Canelo Alvarez fighting Christian Mbilli on Ocober 31st? Will it go ahead or perhaps be called off this weekend?   Next, Zuffa Boxing announced Tuesday it has signed WBC titlist Carlos Adames, adding to their middleweight roster (WBO titlist Denzel Bentley and IBF titlist Aaron McKenna are also there. We update when Adames might be in the ring?   WBO flyweight titlist Anthony Olascuaga, who has long been promoted by Japan’s Teiken Promotions, has signed a multi-fight co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and will against two-time Colombian Olympian Yuberjen Martinez Nov. 14 on the Pacheco-Fukghum co-feature in Carson, Calif. – a home fight LA’s Olascuaga   Former WBA middleweight champion Jorge Castro (130-11-3, 90 KOs), who won he dramatic 1994 fight of the year and also split two fights with Roberto Duran, died on Wednesday in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 59. Dan has more on his incredible longevity career.   And, Happy 37th birthday to Anthony Joshua on Thursday and also birthday of John L. Sullivan 168 years ago!!!! It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

  5. Oct 14

    Early Daniel Dubois - Fabio Wardley Preview With Big Fight Weekend's Ricky Carroll! | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Saturday night in London, it's a highly anticipated heavyweight title rematch for Daniel Dubois as he battles Fabio Wardley for the WBO portion of the championship. But, before it all gets ramped up in the U,K., we've got an early preview of things here on the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" mid-week. Host T.J. Rives returns with lead writer/editor of Big Fight Weekend's website, Ricky Carroll, who's in England for this one. It was a wild first fight in May, as Dubois got off the canvas, not once but twice, early in the bout and then brutally beat Wardley for 7 rounds or so, until a TKO stoppage in the 11th to recapture a world title belt. Now, the guys discuss the magnitude of this rematch for the British fight fans and is the build up similar or bigger than last year with Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn and their tremendous first fight followed by their late in 2025 second bout? Also, there is analysis from Ricky on whether Wardley can summon a different strategy/outcome or is he destined to be beaten up by the brutish Dubois, again? Also, the winner of this bouts has serious unifications options with Filip Hrgovic and Agit Kabayel or dare we say, the winner of Fury/Joshua in December? All of it's discussed in advance of Dubois-Wardley II here on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed for more this bout and all the action through Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    Early Daniel Dubois - Fabio Wardley Preview With Big Fight Weekend's Ricky Carroll! | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

  6. Oct 12

    Floyd Schofield Wins WBA Title + Canelo Fight Back In Jeopardy? And Remembering Wilfredo Gomez | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    It was a big night for Floyd Schofield Saturday and we have lots of news to go over 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. First, a recap of Saturday's Golden Boy DAZN card in Chicago Lightweight Floyd Schofield defeats Lucas Bahdi by decision and wins vacant WBA title. Schofield realizes the dream of winning a world title and opens up some options down the road.  In the co-feature, flyweight Sergio Mendoza TKO5 Ricardo Sandoval in an upset and wins the WBC/WBA titles. Plus, lightweight Jahmal Harvey KO3 Pedro Castaneda in another impressive win early in his career.   Also, a recap of the Thursday night Eye of the Tiger main event in Quebec City Super middleweight young star Osleys Iglesias TKO7 Oliver Zaren and retains IBF title. Iglesias has a huge future.   News To the backdrop of intensifying war in Saudi Arabia, where the Riyadh airport has been attacked multiple times this weekend with several deaths and hundreds injured in missile attacks, Turki Alalshikh has posted to social media on Sunday that Canelo reached out to him and told him he’ll still fight in Riyadh October 31 no matter what happens. We are now not so sure and have the latest.   There are advanced talks for Deontay Wilder-Jai Opetaia, as the possible  Fury-Joshua co-feature December 11th. Dan has more for Wilder's manager Shelly Finkel.   Next, David Benavidez vacates the WBC light heavyweight and WBA regular light heavyweight ahead of planned Dec 5 three-belt cruiser unification with WBC titlist Michal Cieslak. Along with this the WBC, as expected, announced that the Joshua Buatsi-Willy Hutchinson rematch on Nov. 7, initially for the vacant interim title, will be for the vacant WBC world title.   Also, planned for Benavidez-Cieslak co-feature: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Keith Thurman at middleweight. We have more. Sadly, all-time great and 1995 Hall of Fame inductee Wilfredo Gomez, who won titles in three divisions and was one of the best punchers ever, died on Saturday night at age 69. Dan eulogizes him properly for his amazing career.   And, Jake Paul, who has been out of action since suffering a broken jaw in two places in a titanic knockout loss to former unified heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua in December is cleared to resume boxing. TJ specifically isn't that enthused that the "Jake Paul Boxing" hasn't run it's course. They debate. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    Floyd Schofield Wins WBA Title + Canelo Fight Back In Jeopardy? And Remembering Wilfredo Gomez | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

  7. Oct 10

    Brandon Figueroa Conversation With Dan Rafael 10 10 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    He's one of the harder punching, action fighters in the smaller weight classes and newly crowned WBA Featherweight champ Brandon Figueroa is ready to defend coming October 17th in Las Vegas. First, the two division world champ spends time with our insider Dan Rafael one on one before his battle with Japan's Tomoki Kameda in a 12-round co-main event of the PBC card to be shown on DAZN and TNT Sports. Figueroa (27-2-1, 20 KOs) enters the fight following one of the finest performances of his career. In February, the 29-year-old traveled to the United Kingdom and stunned the hometown crowd by stopping Nick Ball in dramatic fashion in the 12th round.Figueroa had previously defeated Joet Gonzalez last July, rebounding from a decision loss to Stephen Fulton Jr. in their February rematch that cost him his WBC 126-pound title. The Weslaco, Texas, native has built his reputation on relentless pressure, nonstop aggression and an all-action fighting style. In 2023, he captured the interim WBC featherweight title with a unanimous decision victory over former champion Mark Magsayo in a fight widely considered a potential Fight of the Year contender. Figueroa also made history in May 2021 when he handed former two-division champion Luis Nery his first professional defeat, stopping him with a body shot in the seventh round to capture the WBC junior featherweight world title.Now trained by respected boxing coach Manny Robles, Figueroa continues to build on his family's championship legacy. Across the ring will be a seasoned challenger with plenty of championship experience of his own. Kameda (42-5, 23 KOs), a native of Osaka, Japan, earned the nickname “El Mexicanito” after moving to Mexico as an amateur to sharpen his skills..The 35-year-old made his biggest impact on the American boxing scene in 2015, when he faced champion Jamie McDonnell in two high-profile, action-packed bouts. Kameda pushed McDonnell in both contests but came up short on the scorecards each time.Kameda later challenged for two additional world titles and put together a five-fight winning streak before suffering a decision defeat to then-super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas.Most recently, Kameda took on featherweight world champion Angelo Leo in May 2025, losing a close decision after winning six of his previous seven fights. Figueroa has big plans at featherweight, but he must get it done with the tough Japnese opponent first on October 17th.  And, you are hearing him on our "Big Fight Weekend Podcast" feed. Make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    Brandon Figueroa Conversation With Dan Rafael 10 10 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

  8. Oct 9

    Floyd Schofield Battles Lucas Bahdi + Brandon Figueroa Joins Us And Fight News | BFW Preview Podcast

    A Two Title Fight Card in Chicago to go over and also the WBA featherweight champ joins us, as part of the latest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back with their takes. First, they preview Saturday’s Golden Boy DAZN card in Chicago Floyd Schofield vs. Lucas Bahdi, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA lightweight title. Both fighters can punch but neither has been active. We break it down. In the co-feature Ricardo Sandoval vs. Sergio Mendoza, 12 rounds, for Sandoval’s WBC/WBA flyweight title. Mendoza replaces the WBO/IBF champ Oscar Collago who is injured, but will he challenge Sandoval? And, on the undercard Jahmal Harvey vs. Pedro Castaneda, 8 rounds, lightweights and also, Jan Paul Rivera vs. Abraham Perfecto, 10 rounds, junior lightweights.   Then, it's Brandon Figueroa joining us, as he defends the WBA featherweight title for the first time against Tomoki Kameda on PBC’s DAZN card Oct. 17 show. He's in the co-feature of Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj headliner. Plus, he talks to Dan about the possible unification bouts at 126 lb., too.   Then, some news Jermall Charlo, who has not fought for 17 months and been limited just two fights since 2021 due to legal, mental health and visa issues, will see his layoff extended yet again. He suffered an undisclosed training injury and is out of a super middleweight fight with Koen Mazoudier on PBC’s “The Fight” card Oct. 17. Now, former WBA super middleweight titlist Armando Resendiz, who was on standby and in training, will face Mazoudier. The undercard for Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli on October 31st has been announced and wait, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?! with WBA super middleweight champ Jaime Munguia and who he wants to fight, instead of his mandatory challenger? Dan is ready to go off!   Also, to the surprise of probably nobody, heavyweight Derek Chisora, the British fan favorite, is ending a retirement from earlier this year. And, he is aiming for a December fight with WBA titlist Murat Gassiev.    It's now official, former unified middleweight titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly and Jacob Bank have a deal for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.   And, per Dan's sources, Terms have been agreed to for a fight between welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. and Oscar Duarte, the junior welterweight contender, who will move up in weight for the bout that will headline a Golden Boy card on DAZN in January. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

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From the opening bell to the final round, our boxing shows are tailored to the fight fan of today and even, yesterday. Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael, who is the premier boxing media personality in the U.S., come your way with a Friday preview and a Monday recap of everything in the boxing ring, every weekend. Plus, you'll hear from the biggest named fighters present and past in one on one interviews. And, the guys LOVE to talk nostalgia of the great fighters like Muhammad Ail, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquaio and more. If you are even a casual boxing fan, you will want to be with us on the "Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast Feed."

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