Podcast: 'Boots' Ennis interview; previewing Anderson-Martin
Plus: Look at Crews-Dezurn-Marshall; news of the week; anniversary memories of Holyfield-Tyson II, Pacquiao's big win vs. Diaz
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.
On Saturday, heavyweight up-and-comer Jared Anderson will square off with former world titlist Charles Martin in the Top Rank main event and Franchon Crews-Dezurn will defend the undisputed women’s super middleweight title against Savannah Marshall in the Boxxer headliner. Those are the two most notable fights of the weekend and we previewed and discussed both. I also interviewed IBF interim welterweight titlist Jaron “Boots” Ennis ahead of his defense against Roiman Villa on July 8 in the Showtime main event. Further, we touched on various news items from the week and looked back on the anniversaries of two major fights.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Previewing Anderson-Martin and what to expect.
Previewing Crews-Dezurn-Marshall, which looks like a very evenly matched fight that perhaps could set up the winner for a rematch with No. 1 pound-for-pound Claressa Shields.
My interview with Ennis, with whom I covered several topics: His win in January to claim the interim belt and going past six rounds for the first time; seeing Villa fight on the same card; problems getting top names to face him; his thoughts on Errol Spence Jr.-Terence Crawford, for whom he will be mandatory if he wins July 8; and what other fights he has interest in.
Announcement that WBO interim heavyweight titlist Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will meet in an immediate rematch Sept. 3.
My report that the great Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez plans to continue his career later this year and seek a junior bantamweight title shot.
The IBF ordering junior welterweight titlist Subriel Matias to next make a mandatory defense against unbeaten Shohjahon Ergashev.
Junior welterweight Montana Love suffering an injury that has forced his July 15 fight with unbeaten contender Richardson Hitchins to be postponed.
Memories on the 26th anniversary of one of the most shocking and notorious moments in boxing history — when Mike Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear and got disqualified in the mega heavyweight title rematch.
Ringside memories on the 15th anniversary of Manny Pacquiao’s move up to lightweight to demolished David Diaz in a phenomenal performance to win the WBC lightweight title and a title in his fifth weight class on his way to a record eight.
Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
Ennis photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC
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
I know Boots got anointed by the Boxing Cognoscenti long ago (prematurely per usual). But two things. It's blatantly obvious that Boot's team is safely maneuvering him into a IBF Vacant Title. He could've been in the mix for that tough WBA eliminator. But safely side stepped it. Two, Jaime Munguía isn't even a year older than Boots. Has the much better resume. But who gets grief and who gets all the excuses? Being anointed has it's privileges in Boxing.