Podcast: Amanda Serrano interview; recap of Rocha-Santillan war
Catterall-Linares thoughts; news of the week; notable anniversaries
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There were two notable cards on Saturday, both on DAZN: Giovani Santillan’s action-packed sixth-round knockout of Alexis Rocha in a battle of welterweight contenders on the Golden Boy card in Inglewood, California, and junior welterweight contender Jack Catterall’s dominating decision win over the faded Jorge Linares on the Matchroom Boxing card in Liverpool, England. We recapped both. There is also my interview with undisputed women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano ahead of her defense on Friday against Danila Ramos. We also discussed news of the week and looked back on two notable anniversaries.
Here’s what we discussed on this episode (in order):
Recap of Santillan’s rousing upset knockout of Rocha is a sensational fight as well as John “Scrappy” Ramirez’s exciting fourth-round KO of Ronal Batista in a WBA junior bantamweight title eliminator.
Recap of Catterall’s decision over Linares in a ho-hum fight and his desire for a rematch with Josh Taylor.
My interview with Serrano, one of the best female boxers pound-for-pound in the world as she gets set to defend Friday on DAZN. We discussed the fact that the bout will be a rare female fight scheduled for 12 rounds with three-minute rounds; her reasons for wanting that structure; why she thinks that length is better for her style; her thoughts on the WBC declining to sanction the bout; what promoters Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian have meant to her career; her desire for an eventual rematch with Katie Taylor; and more.
The probability that junior welterweights Ohara Davies and Ismael Barroso will meet for the WBA interim title on the Ryan Garcia-Oscar Duarte undercard on Dec. 2 in Houston.
Top Rank’s annual ESPN card immediately following the presentation the Heisman Trophy award won’t take place in New York like it usually does but will instead be in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Two-time (and reigning) IBF bantamweight titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez’s announcement that he is retiring.
Ringside memories on the 11th anniversary of first boxing card to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where I have covered most of their boxing events, including the first one. It featured four world title fights on Showtime and was headlined by then-unified junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia’s rematch with Erik Morales.
Memories on the 33rd anniversary of when the great Evander Holyfield drilled Buster Douglas to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
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We will be bringing you the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.
Serrano photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
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Hey Dan. On the next pod, can you clarify the Fury-Ngannou situation as it relates to it being a true professional fight? I thought it was a sanctioned fight (as opposed to an exhibition), but BoxRec isn’t listing it due to no commission overseeing the event (according to Boxrec Grey on Twitter). Any clarification on whether there’s BBBoC involvement or other sanctioning by a commission or not would be appreciated!