Podcast: 'Bam' Rodriguez interview; Espinoza-Chirino recap
Also: Denny beats Cash; Tank vs. Loma talks, more news; anniversary memories of involving De La Hoya, Pacquiao, Mayweather, Gatti
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
There were two shows of note this weekend and we recapped them both, WBO featherweight titlist Rafael Espinoza’s one-sided knockout of Sergio Chirino in the Top Rank main event Friday night and Tyler Denny’s technical decision over Felix Cash to retain the European middleweight title on the Matchroom Boxing card on Saturday. There is also my interview with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who is moving back up junior bantamweight to try to regain his old title in a much-anticipated showdown with Juan Francisco Estrada this Saturday night on DAZN. We also covered key news items of the week and took a look back with my ringside memories on the anniversary of two significant cards.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Recap of Espinoza’s three-knockdown, fourth-round knockout of Chirino to retain his title in his first defense and what’s next for him. We also went over the top two undercard fight: junior lightweight Andres Cortes’ disputed decision over Abraham Nova and middleweight prospect Troy Isley’s clear decision over amateur rival Javier Martinez.
Recap of Denny’s fifth-round technical decision over Felix Cash due to Cash’s cut from an accidental head butt. Should the fight have been stopped?
I am in my 25th year of full-time boxing coverage. Take advantage of that experience by upgrading to a paid subscription for full access to all posts and comments — and also support independent journalism.
My interview with Rodriguez: Is this the biggest fight of his career; reflecting on one-sided knockout of Sunny Edwards to unify flyweight titles in his last fight; vacating the flyweight belts to return to junior bantamweight; thoughts on going after the belt he previously held but vacated; how big of a factor is being 10 years younger than Estrada; what kind of fight does he expect from Estrada; would he ever fight Roman Gonzalez; is it important to be recognized on the pound-for-pound list; what fights would he like assuming he beats Estrada, including a dream fight someday against Naoya Inoue; and more.
The beginning of discussions for a fall lightweight unification fight between Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The announcement from Matchroom Boxing that junior welterweight contenders Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis will meet on Aug. 24 in Manchester, England.
Mario Barrios being elevated to full WBC welterweight titleholder and the discussions for a possible fall defense against unretiring former champion Manny Pacquiao.
Ringside memories on the 23rd anniversary of when Oscar De La Hoya moved up to junior middleweight and routed Javier Castillejo to win the lineal/WBC title and a then largely unknown Pacquiao stole the show on the undercard as he burst on the scene as a late replacement and destroyed Lehlo Ledwaba to win the IBF junior featherweight title.
Ringside memories on the 19th anniversary of when Floyd Mayweather outclassed and stopped Arturo Gatti to win the WBC junior welterweight title in major fight that was also his first pay-per-view headliner.
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.
Rodriguez photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
Please upgrade your subscription here: https://danrafael.substack.com/subscribe
Thank you so much for your support of Fight Freaks Unite!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danrafael1/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanRafael1
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanRafaelBoxing
