Gal Yafai Wins Over Sunny Edwards, Boots vs. Ortiz Now Not Happening? + Sugar Ray Leonard Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast

It's the latest edition of our show off the Thanksgiving weekend, as host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter go over it all headed into December:

They start with Saturday’s Matchroom/DAZN card in Birmingham, England Galal Yafai stop Sunny Edwards in the sixth round to win the vacant WBC interim flyweight title. Edwards looked like a fighter who is done and basically, said so after the 2nd round to his corner. What about that and the future of Yafai off the win?

Then, there's news as Dan has his reporting on the proposed Vergil Ortiz vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis bout for February in Saudi Arabia went falling apart Saturday over Ennis seeking 147 pounds instead of 154 lb. So, the Saudis reached out to WBC/WBO titlist Sebastian Fundora to replace Boots, but were turned down because he has other plans.

The guys go over the official announcement that lightweight titlist Gervonta “Tank” Davis will defend vs. junior lightweight titlist Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1 (Prime Video PPV) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Presser on Tuessday Barclays Center.

Dan is also reporting that WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose Valenzuela will make his first defense against Gary Antuanne Russell on the March 1 PPV card.

And, the IBF has ordered a final heavyweight title eliminator between Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba for the right to become Daniel Dubois’ mandatory. Bakole promoter Queensberry and Ajagba promoter Top Rank have until Dec. 11 to conclude negotiations for the bout, which both fighters indicated in writing to the IBF they were interested in pursuing.

We wrap with Nostalgia of Nov. 30, 1979 -- 45 years ago on Saturday -- as the great Sugar Ray Leonard TKO'ed Wilfred Benitz to win the WBC welterweight title in one of the greatt performances of his career. Plus, earlier that night, Marvelous Marvin Hagler suffered a bad draw vs. Vito Antuofermo for the undisputed middleweight title live on ABC network TV in prime time.

And, Dec. 2, 2000 – 24 years ago on Monday – Felix Trinidad stopped Fernando Vargas to unify the WBA and IBF junior middleweight titles in the greatest 154 title fight ever. Dan was ringside at Mandalay Bay in Vegas.

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