Podcast: Breaking down all four bouts on the Benavidez-Plant PPV

Plus: Ramirez-Commey; news of the week; memories of the late, great Bert Sugar

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Welcome to the Fight Freaks Unite recap podcast coming off an outstanding Showtime PPV card headlined by the super middleweight grudge match between David Benavidez and Caleb Plant with an undercard that that was also highly entertaining. We discussed all four bouts on the pay-per-view as well as Jose Ramirez’s return after a year off to stop Richard Commey in the Top Rank main event that took place Saturday night directly opposite the PPV main event. We also went over some news of the week and shared memories of the great writer and personality Bert Sugar on the anniversary of his death.

Here’s what we discussed on this episode (in order):

• The overall quality of the Benavidez-Plant PPV card, which most expected to be good but exceeded expectations.

• Full review and breakdown of Benavidez’s decision victory. We discussed his slow start, whether the fight should have been stopped late, the two guys putting their grudge to rest, thoughts on referee Kenny Bayless’ questionable performance, and what is next for Benavidez and can he get Canelo Alvarez?

• The good lightweight fight between Chris Colbert and Jose Valenzuela but the wretched decision in favor of Colbert.

• Junior middleweight prospect Jesus Ramos’ entertaining but one-sided demolition of Joey Spencer, who showed a lot of heart in absorbing his first loss.

• The thrilling welterweight eliminator that Cody Crowley won against Abel Ramos and Crowley’s emotional post-fight interview, where he spoke of his father’s suicide last summer, the thoughts of wanting to take his own life and his inspiring message that if he can overcome the depths of where he was anyone can.

• Ramirez’s 11th-round knockout of Richard Commey and the absurdity of it being a WBC junior welterweight eliminator considering Ramirez has already turned down two chances to fight for the belt — last fall and Saturday night.

• The postponement of the three-belt junior flyweight unification fight between Kenshiro Teraji and Jonathan Gonzalez, who is ill.

• Thoughts on former middleweight champion Sergio Martinez’s ongoing comeback at age 48 and his first-round knockout win last week, and super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli’s very entertaining victory against Carlos Gongora.

• Boxxer announcing upcoming cards, including light heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi’s first fight of his new promotional deal and the return of red-hot junior welterweight prospect Adam Azim.

• We share our memories of the late, great writer and legendary boxing personality Bert Sugar, who was my friend for many years and a mentor, on the 11th anniversary of his death.

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

We will be bringing you the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.

Photo: Esther Lin/Showtime

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