Podcast: Beterbiev-Yarde and Rocha-Ashie card previews; tons of news of the week

Plus: Jose Ramirez's disappointing decision to turn down title shot vs. Prograis; vivid memories on the anniversary of Forrest-Mosley I

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There are two notable cards on Saturday and we previewed them both — the one headlined by three-belt light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s mandatory defense against Anthony Yarde on ESPN+ and BT Sport in London and welterweight Alexis Rocha taking on last-minute replacement George Ashie as Golden Boy kicks off its 2023 DAZN schedule. There was also plenty of news to cover this week and we did that as well as reflect on memories of a significant fight anniversary.

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

• Commentary on Jose Ramirez turning down a title shot vs. Regis Prograis over 5 percent of a potential purse bid with no attempt to negotiate.

• Previewing the probable hard-hitting fight between Beterbiev and Yarde. What do we expect and what would we like to see Beterbiev do next if he wins as expected? Could he unify with Bivol for the undisputed title?

• Some brief discussion on what is on the horizon for Canelo Alvarez.

• Previewing flyweight titlist Artem Dalakian’s mandatory defense against David Jimenez on the Beterbiev-Yarde card.

• A look at Rocha’s fight with late sub Ashie and intriguing lightweight prospect Floyd Schofield, who is in the co-feature.

• Thoughts on the super middleweight showdown between David Benavidez and Caleb Plant, which was formally announced this week as a Showtime PPV headliner on March 25.

• The announcement of Showtime’s Feb. 25 tripleheader topped by Subriel Matias-Jeremias Ponce for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title. Thoughts on the show.

• Top Rank’s announcement of Robeisy Ramirez vs. Isaac Dogboe for the interim WBO featherweight title on April 1 and why it could be for the full title by fight time, along with Xander Zayas taking on Ronald Cruz in the co-feature.

• The planned return of Shakur Stevenson on April 8 for a hometown lightweight title eliminator with heavyweight Jared Anderson and lightweight Keyshawn Davis, the last two prospects of the year, ticketed for the undercard.

• The new date being set for Eimantas Stanionis’ secondary welterweight mandatory defense vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. now that Stanionis has recovered from his emergency appendectomy.

• An update on Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia tidying up their paperwork.

• Floyd Mayweather’s next exhibition, this one against MMA fighter/British reality TV star Aaron Chalmers on Feb. 25 in London.

• My vivid memories of covering the historic first fight between Shane Mosley and the late Vernon Forrest, who pulled the big upset to win the WBC welterweight title 21 years ago this week.  

Listen, rate, subscribe and enjoy!

Beterbiev-Yarde photo: Queensberry Promotions 

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