Podcast: Canelo Alvarez one-on-one interview ahead of Charlo fight
Plus: Previewing Zhang-Joyce 2, Hitchins-Zepeda and the controversial return of Conor Benn; news items of the week; pair of heavyweight anniversaries
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There are two significant shows on Saturday and we are here to preview them: the Zhilei Zhang-Joe Joyce rematch for Zhang’s WBO interim heavyweight title in the Queensberry main event on ESPN+ (and TNT Sports in the U.K.) in London and the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card in Orlando, Florida, headlined by junior welterweight Richardson Hitchins stepping up in class against Jose Zepeda with the controversial return of Conor Benn, who is still saddled with his positive drug test case, in the last-minute co-feature. Also, there is my one-on-interview with undisputed super middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer Canelo Alvarez ahead of his defense against undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas. We also covered news items of the week and looked back on the anniversaries of two memorable heavyweight title fights.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of Zhang-Joyce II, five months after Zhang busted up Joyce’s right eye and stopped him in the sixth round of an upset to take his interim title. Will anything be different this time around?
Preview of Hitchins in a step-up fight against three-time title challenger Zepeda.
The last-minute inclusion of Benn on the card against unknown Rodolfo Orozco for his first fight in 17 months because of his hugely-publicized failed drug tests. Details on how Benn got a license even though he can’t get one in the U.K. and should he even be fighting? It’s a deep dive with a detailed explanation on how we got here.
My interview with Canelo. We discussed several topics, including his ability to remain motivated after all of his success; the switch from the initial plan to face Jermall Charlo to Jermell; the satisfaction of his clear-cut win over Gennadiy Golovkin in their third fight followed by his homecoming victory over John Ryder; addressing talk from some that he is slowing down; his thoughts on the prospect of a fight with Terence Crawford; if winning a cruiserweight title still of interest to him; his thoughts on the historical aspects of facing another undisputed champion; and he names his dream opponents for fantasy fights.
Recaps of the wins by unified junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji and junior bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani on Tuesday in Tokyo.
The emergence of another potential opponent for Ryan Garcia’s planned return in November or December and his impending mediation with Golden Boy, which is suing him.
An opponent being set for WBO featherweight titlist Robeisy Ramirez’s Nov. 4 defense.
Memories on the 38th anniversary of Michael Spinks moving up to heavyweight and upsetting Larry Holmes to end his unbeaten run and claim the title.
Memories on the 29th anniversary of Oliver McCall knocking out Lennox Lewis in the second round of a huge upset to win the WBC heavyweight title.
Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
Canelo photo: Esther Lin/Showtime
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