Episodes

  • Sugar Nunez Defends Title + Oscar Valez Returns, Serhii Bohachuk With Dan And More! | BFW Preview Podcast

    Sugar Nunez Defends Title + Oscar Valez Returns, Serhii Bohachuk With Dan And More! | BFW Preview Podcast
    Sep 5 2025
    We're back after Labor Day Weekend off (and without much boxing) because two separate main events are happening in different Mexican cities Saturday. And, the WBC's top junior miiddleweight joins us too on the 'Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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

    First, they preview Saturday's Matchroon main event in Los Mochis, Mexico on DAZN
    Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez defends his IBF 130 lb. title vs. veteran Christopher Diaz. Is Nunez ready to rock and roll in this one in his hometown? Plus, what is waiting for him, if he does?

    Then, a Preview of Satuday's Zanfer card in Nogales, Mexico, on ESPN Deportes in USA
    Oscar Valdez returns vs. Ricky Medina, 10 rounds, lightweights. Does Oscar have much left?

    Next it's big Dan's interview with junior middleweight contender Serhii Bohachuk
    He risks his WBC 154 mandatory status, as he looks to avenge a 2021 TKO loss to Brandon Adams in a rematch on the upcoming Sept. 13 Canelo-Crawford undercard.

    Then, some News

    Super middleweight contender Jaime Munguia will not face any disciplinary action stemming from a positive drug test related to his unanimous decision win against Bruno Surace in their rematch on May 3; ruled contamination I'm sorry what?! Dan has more.

    A fight is in works between interim heavyweight titleholders Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley for Oct. 25 at O2 in London. It's definitely a bigger risk for Parker, who stands to be elevated to full WBO champ or also get a shot a Oleksandr Usyk, Yet, he's fighting the big punching Wardley.

    Next, lineal/WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson have been in talks with Turki Alalshikh and his team about a fight targeted for a Riyadh Season card in January. It isn't done, yet, and is a hang up that one or both fighters might want the bout in the U.S.

    There was a presser in LA on Wednesday to officially announce the October 25 "PBC on Prime Video" PPV at MGM Grand in Las Vegas:
    --Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman, for Fundora’s WBC junior middleweight title--O’Shaquie Foster vs. Stephen Fulton, for Foster’s WBC junior lightweight title
    --Jesus Ramos vs. Shane Mosley Jr., for vacant WBC interim middleweight title
    --Isaac Lucero vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweights

    The guys discuss the interesting parts of the presser and the bouts.

    And, finally, Juan Orengo’s Fresh Productions, the promoter for WBC junior welterweight titlist Subriel Matias, won the purse bid on Tuesday for the promotional rights to his mandatory defense against Dalton Smith, so wont be on Turki Alashikh's big Nov 22 card in Riyadh.

    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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    52 mins
  • Boxing News And Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast

    Boxing News And Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast
    Aug 29 2025
    It's another light week for fights in the ring but we have plenty of news and some GREAT nostalgia involving "Money' Mayweather, etc. on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael to start off Labor Day weekend with the insight and takes.

    They tallk first about the only main event fight of note in the U.S. as it's the return of Sadam Ali, 2008 US Olympian and former WBO junior middleweight titlist, on Sunday. He faces club fighter Cody Wilson in a 10-round junior middleweight bout in Detroit. Dan has more.

    Then, we have news:

    Turki Alashikh and his team looking to finalize a fight between lineal/WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Loepz and WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson, who would move up in weight, for a fight eyed for January. Is this the best move for Shakur? And, how realistic is this fight for the USA instead of Saudi Arabia?

    Next, Turki and Ring announced launch of a new monthly boxing series on DAZN called “The Underdog.” The first card will take place Sept.11 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas ahead as part of Canelo-Crawford fight week. Opening show will be headlined by Anthony Olascuaga defending the WBO flyweight title vs. mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Camacho. We have the latest

    Heavyweight Dillian Whyte said he plans to continue boxing despite suffering a harsh first-round knockout loss to Moses Itauma on Aug. 16. T.J. compares him to another heavyweight that like Whyte is more famous for being knocked out by prominent fighters than anything else.
    And, promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, bidding on behalf of Premier Boxing Champions, won Tuesday’s purse bid for the IBF final heavyweight title eliminator between Efe Ajagba and Frank Sanchez. Dan explains whether this fight will actually happen or not?

    Then, we have good Nostalgia
    August 26, 2017 – 8 years ago on Tuesday – Floyd Mayweather TKO10 Conor McGregor as Floyd ended a two-year retirement to handily stop McGregor, who was crossing over from UFC to boxing, in the second-biggest money fight ever. Big Dan was ringside and recalls all of the circus leading up to the fight. Plus, the fight made TONS of $$ and Mayweather became 50-0. We discuss it in detail.

    Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" and follow/subscribe to this podcast feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    54 mins
  • Yoenis Tellez Beaten + Canelo New Famous Sparring Partner And More | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Yoenis Tellez Beaten + Canelo New Famous Sparring Partner And More | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Aug 25 2025
    It was another light weekend in the ring, but we have the recap of the MVP show in Orlando, FL, including an upset in a wild junior middleweight bout. That and some interesting fight news are 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. They have takes on it all

    Starting with the recap of Saturday’s MVP/DAZN card
    Flyweight Yankiel Rivera draw with Angelino Cordova, for vacant WBA interim title leads, but this fight a "stink bomb."

    Bigger was the junior middleweight battle with Abass Baraou and Yoenis Tellez, won by Baraou and he's now the WBA interim champ. The final round was also fantastic and the guys discuss it all.

    Also, lightweight Lucas Bahdi decisioned Roger Gutierrez and wins a WBA eliminator bout.

    And, from Friday night MVP/DAZN card
    Heavily touted junior lightweight Jahmal Harvey, a 2024 U.S. Olympian, won his pro debut by first-round TKO. Dan has more on his potential.

    Next, some news:

    Canelo Alvarez posts photos of "Boots" Ennis in camp sparring with him. Interesting stuff to say the least. We discuss. Plus, Nevada State Athletic Commission selected the Canelo-Crawford referee and judges. Also, the guys also discuss the moving of the UNLV college footall game from Allegiant Stadium in Vegas and what they got financially from TKO Promotions to switch their game to this weekend.


    Moving on, one time heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi, now 52 years old and out of the ring for 26 years (much of it spent in prison), returned to the ring Saturday night in Lagos, Nigeria. He stopped Idris Afinni (now 18-9-2) in the third round. Dan reminisces on Ibeabuchi.

    Also, speaking of the heavyweights, the Jarrell Miller-Michael Hunter heavyweight bout that was supposed to be September 11th in Las Vegas on a card during Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight week has been canceled. We go through the typical boxing shennanigans that include... 94 year old Don King being involved.

    And, we wrap up with former WBA junior lightweight titlist Hector Luis Garcia announcing his retirement earlier in the week.

    It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    49 mins
  • Jake Paul To Fight Gervonta Davis?! + MVP Fights In Orlando And More | BFW Preview Podcast

    Jake Paul To Fight Gervonta Davis?! + MVP Fights In Orlando And More | BFW Preview Podcast
    Aug 22 2025
    In late August it's another light weekend, but we have plenty of fight news to go over and more on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!"

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

    First, a preview of the Saturday MVP card on DAZN in Orlando
    Yankiel Rivera meets Angelino Cordova, 12 rounds, for the vacant WBA interim flyweight title and
    Yoenis Tellez vs. Abass Baraou, 12 rounds, for Tellez’s WBA interim junior middleweight title. They are solid fights, even if the WBA is a joke with secondary titles, and the guys go over it.

    Next, some news:
    Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis announce an exhibition bout November 14th on Netflix at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. We will say... WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!

    Some notable fights in process of being made or made at 154:Sebastian Fundora- Keith Thurman, Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Erickson Lubin, Bahkram Mutazaliev-Josh Kelly, Serhei Bohachuk- Brandon Adams rematch all upcoming. We have the latest.

    Top Rank announces a contract extension with WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman Jr.

    Daniel Dubois fires trainer Don Charles, now to be trained by Mark Tibbs, in wake of his KO loss to Oleksandr Usyk last month.

    Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. deported this week after his arrest in July by the American DHS and is now in a Mexican jail.

    And, the WBO orders a cruiserweight interim title fight because Zurdo Ramirez has shoulder surgery and is out rest of year. So, Chris Billam-Smith meets Roman Fress ordered.

    It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to us on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, etc.
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    46 mins
  • Moses Ituama Destoys Dillian Whyte Quick, Fight News + Terence Crawford Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Moses Ituama Destoys Dillian Whyte Quick, Fight News + Terence Crawford Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Aug 18 2025
    Well, we have the answer on whether British heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma would wipe out his first "named" opponent and we're ready to recap that fight/the Riyadh DAZN card and more on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast."

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

    They Recap Saturday’s Queensberry/DAZN PPV card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where Itauma took two mintues to dispatch Dillian Whyte and grow his legend. The guys have thoughts on Itauma an what should be next. Is it possibly Filip Hrgovic who had a battle on the undercard, including a great 8th round of drama, with David Adeleye before winning by decision? Or will it be someone else?


    Also, featherweight Nick Ball won a hard fought decison over Sam Goodman and retains his WBA title. Will unification be next for Ball.

    Also, Junior lightweight Hayato Tsutsumi squahes Qais Ashfaq, junior lightweight Raymond Ford defeats vet Abraham Nova in 10 and lightweight prospect Mohammed Alakel KO's Yumnam Santosh Singh in one round.

    News
    Lots of fights in works at 154 lbs: Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman headed for an Oct 25th PBC PPV at MGM Grand? It looks like it. We have more.

    Plus, Vergil Ortiz–Erickson Lubin headed for the week before, Oct. 18 on DAZN. And, Serheii Bohachuk-Brandon Adams will rematch Sept. 13 on Canelo-Crawford undercaard. Adams handed Bohachuk first loss by 8th-rd TKO 2021.

    Also, Liam Paro will face David Papot in an IBF welterweight title eliminator for the mandatory position on Sept. 18 in Brisbane, Australia, No Limit Boxing announced the bout.

    And finally, former WBA welterweight titlist Eimantas Stanionis returns vs. South Africa’s Jabulani Makhense at 150 pounds catchweight on Sept. 27th in Stanionis’ hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania, Stanionis announced. This will be Stanionis' first ever pro fight in his home country and his first fight since a one-sided sixth-round knockout to Jaron “Boots” Ennis in their April unification fight

    Finally, some nostalgia

    Aug. 19, 2017 – 8 years ago on Tuesday – Terence Crawford demolishes Julius Indongo to unify the four titles and become undisputed junior welterweight champion. Big Dan was ringside in Lincoln, Nebraska and reminisces.

    It's all on the "Figtht Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify!
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    1 hr
  • Moses Itauma Meets Dillian Whyte + Canelo-Crawford Undercard And Joshua Fighting Paul? | BFW Preview Podcast

    Moses Itauma Meets Dillian Whyte + Canelo-Crawford Undercard And Joshua Fighting Paul? | BFW Preview Podcast
    Aug 15 2025
    Finally we get a big time fight card this weekend in Saudi Arabia and we're ready to go over the return of phenom heavyweight Moses Itauma, have some fight news discussion and more on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

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

    First, the take a look at Satrurday’s Riyadh Season DAZN PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Itauma has his first "named test" in Dillian Whyte, 10 rounds, heavyweights. Time to see what the youngster can do against a proven vet and will the hype continue after this one?

    In the co-feature Nick Ball takes on Sam Goodman for Ball’s WBA featherweight title. The highly entertaining champ from Liverpool, England will battle the top contender from Australia in this one.

    Also there's talk of Filip Hrgovic vs. David Adeleye in a heavyweight matchup and American Raymond Ford battles countryman Abraham Nova in a junior lightweight showdown.

    Then, some news
    The Canelo-Crawford undercard was announced: jjunior middleweight prospects Callum Walsh and Fernando Vargas Jr. will fight the 10-round co-feature and WBC interim super middleweight titleholder Christian Mbilli, a potential 2026 opponent for Alvarez, defends against rising contender Lester Martinez.

    Also, Paramount+, just off this week’s massive seven-year, $7.7 billion deal for all United States broadcast and streaming rights for UFC, is reportedly also the “front-runner” for Zuffa Boxing rights, per Front Office Sports. We discuss the massive money being thrown the UFC's way, while boxing cannot get a fraction of those kind of deals.

    Next, the domestic violence case against WBA lightweight titleholder Gervonta Davis was dropped on Tuesday, according to the Miami-Dade County Court. The woman declined to prosecute. We discuss and Dan has a theory on Davis' next big battle.

    Oh, and there's Jason “Boots” Ennis, who recently vacated his unified welterweight title to move up to junior middleweight. But, not for a huge fight, rather, he is set for his debut in perhaps boxing’s deepest division in garbage fight vs. unknown Uisma Lima in a WBA title eliminator Oct.11 on DAZN at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Ennis’ hometown. What are we doing here (Part 1)?!

    And, apparently, there is a real chance that Anthony Joshua will fight Jake Paul next, per Eddie Hearn in various interviews. What are we doing here (part 2)?!


    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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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Moses Itauma Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Moses Itauma Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Aug 12 2025
    Coming up on Saturay night August 16th, British heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma looks to take his biggest step yet towards being a contender. That's when he meets former multi-time world title challenger Dillian Whyte in a DAZN PPV main event from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    The unbeaten Itauma is not yet 21 years old, but has already created buzz with 10 KOs in his first 12 victories. And, some are wondering if he's a "Mike Tyson 2.0" with all of the big KOs?

    Well, HEAR him here in a one on one conversation with our insider Dan Rafael for more.

    It's al part of our coveage from the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" as part of this feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    12 mins
  • Libya Card Recapped + DAZN's Todd Grisham, Ring Deaths In Japan And More | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Libya Card Recapped + DAZN's Todd Grisham, Ring Deaths In Japan And More | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Aug 11 2025
    It was another light weekend in big time boxing, but we do have a card to discuss. Plus, hear from a prominent boxing play by play broadcaster and the guys also go over the horrible news of not one, but two Japanese fighters off the same early August card dying after their fights. It's all 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.

    Dan has the recap of the Friday card in Benghazi, Libya
    Featherweight Mirco Cuello big KO2 of Sergio Rios Jimenez and wins (don't laugh) the vacant WBA interim title. Also, light heavyweight Albert Ramirez scored an impressive TKO of Jerome Pampellone, and also wins a vacant WBA interim title. And, a large upset as lightweight Francisco Fonseca decisioned Sofiane Oumiha on this card.

    Next, hear a portion of our Youtube live show with DAZN's Todd Grisham.
    Grisham talks the recent Oscar Duarte and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez wins in broadcasts he's done, as we play a portion of the show.

    Then, some News

    Horiibly, two Japanese fighters both suffered fatal brain injuries on the same August 2nd Teiken Promotions card in Tokyo – junior lightweight Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday after fighting to a draw in the 12-round main event and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa died on Saturday following an eighth-round KO loss in an eight-rounder. It's awful and Dan explains more about how neither fight seemed to be leading to such a tragic ending. Also, the Japanese Boxing Committee will now look to shorten some regional title fights out of safety concerns.

    Next, lineal/unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol will be sidelined for the rest of the year after undergoing back surgery in his hometown of Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Friday. We have more, including does this maybe mean that Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez might fight each other, if they both win on the November Riyadh Season Card in Saudi Arabia?

    Not unexpectedly, WBC/IBF bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani announced he will vacate his titles and move up junior featherweight, putting him in Naoya Inoue’s division for a possible all-Japan mega fight in the spring.

    And, after Sky Sports declined to renew its broadcast deal with Boxxer Promotions, one of the United Kingdom’s leading promoters, it has struck a deal with the BBC, which has not shown boxing in 21 years. Dan goes over it all.

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