Episodes

  • David Benavidez Beats David Morrell, Stephen Fulton Repeats Over Brandon Figueroa + News And Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    David Benavidez Beats David Morrell, Stephen Fulton Repeats Over Brandon Figueroa + News And Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Feb 3 2025
    We come off a weekend PPV in Las Vegas where Dan Rafael was ringside and we're ready to recap that card, plus Adam Azim's win in England and more on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast"

    Host T.J. Rives returns with Dan, who was literally less than an hour off the plane from Vegas back to his home in Virginia to give us the insigh on the PBC on Prime Video PPV. It saw David Benavidez decision David Morrell,in the main event to keep his WBC interim and win the WBA “regular” 175 lb. titles. What were Dan's impressions in the arena and what about the controversial 11th round, where Morrell hit Benavidez clearly after the bell? Also, did Benavidez solidify himself and a world title contender at light heavyweight?

    They also go over the Stephen Fulton rematch win over Brandon Figueroa this time to win the WBC featherweight title. Quick preview: Dan wasn't overly impressive with this bout!

    However, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Angel Fierro slugged it out for 10 rounds and that was a highly entertaining 140 lb. battle that Dan believes belongs in the convo later for "fight of the year."

    He finishes going over the res of the PPV undercard with:

    Jesus Ramos TKO8 Jeison Rosario, 160 lb.

    Prime Video Prelims

    Mirco Cuello TKO10 Christian Olivo, WBA featherweight eliminator
    Yoenli Hernandez TKO5 Angel Ruiz, middleweights
    160 Curmel Moton TKO3 Frank Zalvidar, 135 lb. battle.

    The boys then recap the Saturday Boxxer main event in London, as rising 140 lb. star Adam Azim wiped out Sergey Lipinets in a TKO. What's his future off this win over the veteran?

    Next, some brief news

    Ryan Garcia has enrolled in VADA, a key block to finalizing the interim fight and rematch with Devin Haney appears to also clear up.

    And, Anthony Cacace vacated his IBF junior lightweight title on Friday, electing to not face mandatory challenger Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez. Dan explains what's behind that move.

    Finally, Nostaglia

    Feb. 2, 2002 – 23 years ago today Sunday – Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins split site doubleheader trying to set up their showdown that didn’t happen in that time frame. Roy with the KO of the year vs Glenn Kelly in his undisputed light heavy defense in Miami and BHop TKO-ed Carl Daniels to retain undisputed middleweight title in Pennsylvania, where Dan was ringside.

    Get it all on the Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • David Benavidez-David Morrell PPV Showdown, Remembering Michael Katz + Chavez Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast

    David Benavidez-David Morrell PPV Showdown, Remembering Michael Katz + Chavez Nostalgia | BFW Preview Podcast
    Jan 31 2025
    It's a big weekend in Las Vegas as two unbeaten rising fighers square off in a PPV main event and we're ready to preview the entire fight card and more on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

    Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter, who is live in Vegas.

    It's "PBC on Prime Video" (and PPV.COM) card, as light heavyweigts David Benavidez and David Morrell meet for Benavidez’s WBC interim and Morrell’s WBA “regular” titles Bigger is the winner is likely inline for the for a shot at the Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch.

    In the co-feature featherweights Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton rematch for Figueroa’s WBC title Junior welterweight. It was a tremendous fight three years ago and will it repeat here?

    Also on the card, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Angel Fierro meet in a 10 round showdown. And middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. takes on former world champ Jeison Rosario, too.

    We also give you more on how to see the fight through PPV.com with a special interview.

    The boys also preview Saturday Boxxer card on Peackock (and Sky Sports) from London
    Adam Azim battles veteran Sergey Lipinets ina 12 rounds junior welterweight main event.

    And, they review Sunday Salita Promotions card on DAZN in Flint, Michigan.
    Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins will fight for Shields’ WBC and, also vacant WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight titles. The guys are dubious of the charade that this is an actual undisputed world title bout.

    Then, some news:

    With the death of legendary boxing writer (and one of Dan's mentors) Michael Katz, who died this week at age 85, Dan reminisces about Katz with stories.

    Top Rank announces March 29th ESPN card at Fountainbleu Las Vegas: Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan, rematch, for Mayer’s WBO women’s welterweight title; Brian Norman vs. Derrieck Cuevas, for Norman’s WBO welterweight title; Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Jose Enrique Vivas, WBC featherweight eliminator. Dan has more.

    The WBO ruled junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez must next make his mandatory title defense against the Jack Catterall-Arnold Barboza interim title bout winner within 180 days after their Feb. 15 bout.Will Teofimo follow through, however?

    The announcement of an intriguing WBC flyweight titlle bout as Kenshiro Teraji and the WBA titlist Seigo Yuri Akui meet in all-Japanese unification bout March 13 in Tokyo.

    And, there are pllans in the works for WBC interim lightweight titlist William Zepeda to face Tevin Farmer in an immediate rematch of Zeepda’s split decision in November on the “Latino Night” card in Riyadh. Golden Boy told big Dan if it gets done would be March 29 in Cancun, Mexico.

    Finally some Nostalgia
    Jan. 29, 1994 – 31 years ago on Wednesday – Frankie "the Surgeon" Randall drops Julio Cesar Chavez (89-0-1 at time) for 1st time & handed him his 1st ever loss to take WBC junior welterweight title by split decision in the main event of the first card ever at MGM Grand. Billed as "The Grand Slam of Boxing" Don King card- it had "Tito" Trinidad decsion "Macho" Camacho for the world weltereight title. The card also had Simon Brown W12 over Troy Waters for the WBC 154 lb. belt. And legen Tommy Heans destroyed Dan Ward in a cruiserweight bout.

    The guys talk about the history and how Chavez's 89-0-1 record won't be replicated- probably ever

    It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • David Benavidez Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    David Benavidez Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Jan 28 2025
    Coming up Saturday night in Las Vegas, unbeaten light heavyweight contender David Benavidez will meet fellow unbeaten David Morrell in a 12 round PPV bout to determine who is the likely title challenger later this year. But, before the fireworks on Saturday night hear from Benavidez with our own insider Dan Rafael on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast."

    Dan and David talk the matchup for the WBC interim and WBA "regular" 175 lb. crowns and Benavidez's seemingly genuine dislike now for Morrell in the matchup and what he wants to do to the Cuban born contender. Plus, what does Benavidez think about getting the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch coming February 22nd, etc.?

    Hear it all as par of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed for more great content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    13 mins
  • Naoya Inoue's KO And Diego Pacheco Wins In Vegas, News + Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast

    Naoya Inoue's KO And Diego Pacheco Wins In Vegas, News + Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast
    Jan 27 2025
    Finally! We have a weekend with multiple prominent main events in Jaruary all over the globe. And, we're ready to go over it all on the newet "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast"

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter return for breakdown on:

    Friday Ohashi Promotions card at Tokyo, Japan
    Naoya Inoue scores a KO4 over late replacement Ye Joon Kim of South Korea, retains undisputed junior featherweight title. Now what for "The Monster??"

    Then, onto Saturday and the Matchroom card at Las Vegas
    Super middleweight rising contender Diego Pacheco decisions veteran Steven Nelson in the main event. Should have he gotten a stoppage and what's on deck for the rest of this year for Pacheco?

    In the co-feature, ightweight Andy Cruz scores another win beating Omar Salcido. Can he get a title shot sooner rather than later?

    And, junior welterweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado Kayoes the remnants of Jose Pedraza, too.

    Also, Saturday Matchroom card at Nottingham, England
    Junior welterweight Dalton Smith TKO1 Walid Ouizza, wins vacant European title. What about Smith did we glean?

    Then some news:
    Turki/Riyadh Season announced the site and undercard for April 26 Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn card. We discuss.

    With Lomachenko out injured, IBF interim title fight between Zaur Abdullaev and Raymond Muratalla is in works, purse bid scheduled, and if Top Rank promotes the fight ,it’ll be April 5 in Las Vegas.

    Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr., who signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing to partner with his longtime promoter Lou DiBella in November, will have the first bout of the deal March 22 in Sydney. Dan's reporting is the likely opponent will be former title challenger Daud Yordan.

    And, Popular Irish featherweight Michael Conlan has signed with Wasserman Boxing and is making a comeback from 15-month layoff on March 7 on the Harlem Eubank-Tyrone McKenna undercard

    Nostalgia
    Jan. 25, 2003 — 22 years ago on Saturday – Vernon Forrest lopsided decision over then P4P king Shane Mosley, dropped him twice and handily won decision to win WBC welterweight title in a big big upset. Dan was there in NYC.

    Jan. 27, 2001 — 24 years ago on Monday – Five of the 2000 U.S. Olympians turned pro on HBO at the MSG Theater on a hugely hyped fight.card. In the end, none of them did anything other than Jermain Taylor, who would became the undisputed middleweight champion. Dan has stories, including about Pernell Whitaker that weekend.

    Hear it all on the newest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify for all the great content.
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    59 mins
  • Diego Pacheco Headlines For Matchroom + David Benavidez With Dan, News And Tyson Nostaligia | BFW Preview Podcast

    Diego Pacheco Headlines For Matchroom + David Benavidez With Dan, News And Tyson Nostaligia | BFW Preview Podcast
    Jan 24 2025
    We are back with a prominent fight card in the U.S. for our latest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Subtack and Newsletter return to go over:

    The Matchroom/DAZN card Saturday at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
    Diego Pacheco meets Steven Nelson for 12 rounds, super middleweights in the main event. What's Pacheco's upside and can the vet Nelson give him trouble? In the Co-feature, it's decorated former Olympic Gold Medalist Andy Cruz back against vet Omar Salcido in a 10 rounds lightweight tussle. Dan also has more on Ernesto “Tito” Mercado against another vet, Jose Pedraza in a junior welterweight bout.

    Then checkout Dand with light heavyweight contender David Benavidez one on one. He

    fights fellow unbeaten David Morrell Feb. 1 in the "PBC on Prime Video" main event, also on PPV.COM

    Next, some news as:

    Jaron "Boots" Ennis takes on Eimantas Stanionis IBF/WBA welterweight unification fight announced for April 12 at famed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Dan has more on Ennis' future too.


    What's the Tank Davis-Lamont Roach PPV undercard made official this week?

    Former welterweight champ, Keith Thurman's return announced for Australia and Dan's reporting on Tim Tszyu also to return and that they would fight each other this Summer if they win on Prime Video NOT PPV.

    There's a Teofimo Lopez update -- has new management (Keith Connolly) and a three-fight deal on the table from Turki/Riyadh Season that Top Rank is OK with.

    And, Matchroom signs Omari Jones, the only 2024 Olympic boxing medalist for the US. He claimed bronze in the welterweight division and turns pro on a hometown Orlando, Fla., card Matchroom announced Thursday headlined by middleweight Ammo Williams-Patrice Volny.

    We wrap with nostalgia
    January 22, 1988 – 37 years ago on Wednesday – the absolute prime of Mike Tyson with a KO4 of Hall of Famer Larry Holmes to retain the undisputed heavyweight title. The guys discuss the ferocity of Tyson in the late 80s and that night.

    It's all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify!
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Nayoa Inoue Preview, Canelo-Crawford Update + De La Hoya And Roy Jones Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Nayoa Inoue Preview, Canelo-Crawford Update + De La Hoya And Roy Jones Nostalgia | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Jan 20 2025
    It's the newest editoin of our shows, but still, no fight to recap. However, host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are still here with much to discuss.

    First, they preview the Friday morning US time main event from Tokyo on ESPN+ -- Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim, for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight title. Is there any real shot for the Korean and what's looming for Inoue?

    Then, some fight news:

    What's the latest on Canelo-Crawford and is this close to a reality. Most importantly is the "when" on the timeline?

    On the plans for the May Devin Haney/Ryan Garcia doubeleheader before their rematch this Fall – Haney could face Jose Ramirez. Dan's been told it’s being worked on. And, then, Garcia put on social and Dan has confirmed that he would face Isaac "Pitbull Cruz, if Pitbull wins on Feb. 1 PPV card in Vegas.

    Dan goes over the BWAA 2024 awards ballots afer their virtual meeting this past weekend.

    Next, the long discussed fight between WBC/WBO junior middleweight titlist Sebastian Fundora and former welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr. is dead, at least for Fundora’s next fight. Dan has the latest on why?

    And, while there has been much discussion about lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and WBO/WBA titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez squaring off in a unification fight, which both sides want, the WBA has ordered Zurdo’s mandatory vs. former titlist Yuniel Dorticos, which probably will be next.

    We finish with Nostalgia:


    Jan. 18, 1997 – 28 years ago on Saturday – Oscar De La Hoya dominated unbeaten Miguel Angel Gonzalez to retain WBC 140 lb. crown in his only defense of that belt and would kick off a mega year where he went 5-0 that year!

    And, Jan. 19, 2008 — 17 years ago on Sunday – Roy Jones W12 Felix Trinidad at 170 pounds, sends Tito into permanent retirement. Good fight. Dan was ringside for these legends meeting at the end of their careers.

    It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    55 mins
  • Tyson Fury Says He's Retired, Again + Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia Rematch News Etc | BFW Preview Podcast

    Tyson Fury Says He's Retired, Again + Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia Rematch News Etc | BFW Preview Podcast
    Jan 17 2025
    It's latest edition of the show, where again, there is not a significant main event fight in the world this weekend. So, host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael go right to the news and some nostalgia, even though it's the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast."

    They begin with former two time heavyweight champ Tyson Fury saying he's retired, again. Does anyone actually believe him? The guys go over it.

    Lots of news with TURKI ALALSHIKH and the Saudis looking to roll out some fights in the Spring and also fund proposed bouts, too.

    They have closed the long awaited Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn middleweight fight and It’s signed for April 26 in London, per Dan's reporting. And, he also reveals that it’s a two-fight deal.

    Turki also has brought Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia rematch to being nearly done. The fighters will forgive and forget Garcia's controversies/failed drug tests from their match last April and have agreed to warmup fights in May and then, have their rematch October to open Riyadh Season festival. Dan reports that Haney's lawsuit is in process of being dropped, and drug testing getting ironed out.

    Turki also said in interview with U.K. TalkSport says he wants to still make Anthony Joshua- Deontay Wilder if there’s no Fury-Joshua. “I want to see Joshua and Wilder now. If Tyson is not available, why not Joshua and Wilder?” Is there anyone who really cares at this point about these two fighting?

    And, junior welterweight contender Oscar Duarte will face former two-time titlist Regis Prograis in a 12-rounder that headlines Golden Boy DAZN card on Feb.15 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

    As for the Nostalgia

    Jan. 16, 1999 – 26 years ago on Thursday – Mike Tyson returns from 18 months out of the ring after biting off a hunk of Evander Holyfield ear and scores a one-punch fifth-round KO of Francois Botha after losing basically every round

    Jan. 17, 2015 – 10 years ago on Friday – Deontay Wilder goes the distance for the first time, but easily outpoints Bermane Stiverne in his biggest test to that point to win the WBC heavyweight title. Dan recollects from being ringside at MGM Grand in Vegas.

    Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    53 mins
  • George Foreman And Joe Frazier Nostalgia + Callum Simpson Bogus TKO And News | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Pocast

    George Foreman And Joe Frazier Nostalgia + Callum Simpson Bogus TKO And News | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Pocast
    Jan 13 2025
    It's a brand new edition of our recap show with only one significant fight card world wide. So, that leaves our host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael with more time to discuss news and some excellent boxing and even, 80s U.S. Primetime TV drama debate! It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

    They begin with the brief Recap of Boxxer card from Sheffield, England, where super middleweight Callum Simpson scored a dubious TKO over Steed Woodall in the second round and retains British/Commonwealth 168 lb. titles. T.J. takes the lead on the referee with a reference to another premature stoppage in a prominent fight in London last Fall.
    Also, lightweight Caroline Dubois got a technical draw at the start of the 3rd round against an already battered Jessica Camara. Dubois retains WBC women’s crown, but there's debate on should this one have been an actual stoppage on the badly swollen eye from punches that had nothing to do with the cut on the other eye.

    For fight news:
    Sam Goodman is again cut in same spot over his eye and out of the January 24 Nayoa Inoue undisputed 122 lb. fight. Inoue will instead defend the undisputed junior featherweight title vs. late sub Ye Joon Kim of South Korea. We have more on him.

    Dan is reporting that the target date for WBC/WBO junior middleweight titlist Sebastian Fundora vs. former three-belt unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr. is March 29 at MGM Grand. T.J. wonders.... well.... you know!

    With Teofimo Lopez inactive, no fight scheduled, as he turned down several fights from Top Rank, the WBO has upgraded Jack Catterall-Arnold Barboza Jr. final junior welterweight eliminator to the vacant interim title bout on Feb.15th.

    And, the IBF welterweight titlist Jaron “Boots” Ennis and WBA counterpart Eimantas Stanionis are in talks for a unification fight. Per WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, Stanionis mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov has agreed to step aside.

    Finally some nostalgia:

    January 14, 2017 – 8 years ago this Tuesday – James DeGale and Badou Jack fight to a majority draw in an epic super middleweight unification fight and in the co-feature sees Gervonta Davis TKO7 then-unbeaten Jose Pedraza to win the IBF junior lightweight title, Davis’ first world title. Dan was ringside at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY for this.

    And, we salute heavyweight hall of famers George Foreman, who turned 76 on Friday and the late Joe Frazier would have turned 81 on Sunday.

    And, the boys debate some 1980's American TV dramas between "Dallas," 'Dynasty," and "Miami Vice." It's worthwile to stick around for!

    Hear it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to rate and review us on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

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    1 hr and 5 mins