Podcast: Boxing is back with Ennis vs. Lima and Allen vs. Makhmudov

Plus: The tragic death of Arturo Gatti Jr.; Pitbull-Roach meet face to face; more news of the week; ringside memories on a big fight anniversary

Click photo to subscribe to DAZN for Ennis-Lima and more

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.

At last, the drought it over with a pair of Matchroom Boxing cards on Saturday on DAZN and we previewed them, including Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ move up to junior middleweight. We also discussed a variety of news of the week, including the tragic death of 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr., and looked back on the anniversary of a big-time fight. Also, check out and subscribe to the YouTube channel for a variety of content.

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

• Preview of Ennis in a hometown fight in Philadelphia against largely unknown Uisma Lima for the vacant WBA interim junior middleweight title and the heavyweight co-feature between promising Canadian Alexis Barriere against Guido Vianello.

• Preview of the expected slobber knocker between heavyweights David Allen and Arslanbek Makhmudov in Sheffield, England.

---

I am in my 26th 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 support independent journalism.

---

• The sad death of Gatti Jr. from an apparent suicide by hanging, the same way his legendary father, Hall of Famer Arturo Gatti, died in 2009.

• The kickoff news conference for the Dec. 6 PBC on Prime Video main event between WBC interim junior welterweight titlist Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Lamont Roach Jr.

• The IBF ordering lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla and mandatory challenger Andy Cruz to meet next and Cruz’s camp declining to negotiate and having an immediate purse bid scheduled for next week.

• Matchroom Boxing’s big signing of light heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker, the polarizing, brash and tremendously talented 2020 British Olympic silver medalist.

• Ringside memories on the 20th anniversary of when Jose Luis Castillo, who was stripped of the lightweight title for badly missing weight, knocked out Diego Corrales in the fourth round of an action-packed slugfest in a fight that had some controversy due to the weight situation and paled in comparison to their legendary first fight five months earlier.

Listen to the episode! 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.

Ennis-Lima photo: Emma Brawley/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