Podcast: Amanda Serrano interview; Ennis makes first defense

Plus: Janibek defends unified middleweight title; 'Chocolatito' returns; news of the week; anniversary memories; Arturo Gatti appreciation

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The weekend features a trio of cards and we previewed and discussed them. There is the return of the legendary Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez at bantamweight on Friday night and two cards on Saturday night: IBF welterweight titlist Jaron “Boots” Ennis making his first defense against David Avanesyan and unified middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly defending against unbeaten but unknown Andrei Mikhailovich. There is also my interview with women’s pound-for-pound great Amanda Serrano ahead of her fight on July 20; news of the week; fight anniversaries; and an appreciation for the late, great Arturo Gatti on the anniversary of his untimely death.

Here is what’s on the show (in order):

• Preview of Chocolatito’s return from a 19-month layoff against Rober Barrera in a Nicaragua homecoming on ESPN+.

• Preview of Ennis’ defense in a Philadelphia homecoming against Avanesyan in the main event of the Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN.

• Preview of Alimkhanuly-Mikhailovich in the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ main event and what might be in store if Alimkhanuly wins. We also discussed the co-feature, a step up for lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla against former junior lightweight titlist Tevin Farmer.

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• My interview with Serrano, who faces Stevie Morgan on the Jake Paul-Mike Perry DAZN PPV undercard on July 20, ahead of the rescheduled rematch with undisputed junior welterweight champion Katie Taylor in November. We covered several topics: having her previous fight canceled on fight night because of an eye problem; taking this fight instead of waiting for the new date for the Taylor rematch; her thoughts on Morgan; whether Serrano’s power will go with her to 140 pounds; risking the rematch with Taylor; thoughts on winding down her career; and more.

• Announcement that Chris Eubank Jr., one of the two leading candidates to land a fall fight with Canelo Alvarez, has signed with Boxxer.

• Top Rank working toward finalizing a mandatory rematch between WBO junior lightweight titlist Emanuel Navarrete and interim titlist Oscar Valdez and when it is being planned for.

• Sam Goodman’s decision win on Wednesday to preserve his status as IBF mandatory challenger for undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue and a breakdown of Inoue’s plans and the possible issues.

• Golden Boy’s formal announcement of Serhii Bohachuk-Vergil Ortiz Jr., a contract extension for Ortiz and who is ticketed for the undercard.

• Memories on the 38th anniversary of when Evander Holyfield outpointed fellow Hall of Famer Dwight Muhammad Qawi in a classic 15-round slugfest to win his first world title at cruiserweight.

• Ringside memories of when Canelo outpointed Erislandy Lara in a big win against an opponent even his own team didn’t think he should fight.

• An appreciation for the late Hall of Famer Arturo Gatti, my all-time favorite fighter, who won world titles in two divisions and was one of the all-time greatest action fighters, on the 15th anniversary of his untimely death.

Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!

We bring you the preview each Friday and the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.

Serrano photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix

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