Podcast: David Benavidez interview ahead of Morrell showdown
Plus: Preview of Pacheco-Nelson card; Ennis-Stanionis deal, more news of the week; big heavyweight fight anniversary
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After a lull, the fight schedule picks up this weekend and we are here to preview the most notable card, a Matchroom Boxing show Saturday on DAZN headlined by the super middleweight fight between up-and-comer Diego Pacheco against fellow unbeaten Steven Nelson. There is also my interview with David Benavidez ahead of his superb matchup with fellow undefeated light heavyweight David Morrell on Feb. 1, plenty of news of the week, and memories on the anniversary of a big heavyweight title fight.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of Pacheco-Nelson as well as the top two undercard bouts in lightweight Andy Cruz against Omar Salcido and junior welterweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado versus former two-division world titlist Jose Pedraza.
My interview with Benavidez. We covered plenty of topics, including overcoming the injuries from his first light heavyweight bout in June; thoughts on Morrell’s first light heavyweight bout from August; the pathway that has led to this fight that first came up two years ago; Canelo Alvarez’s decision to not fight him and that he now appears to be close to a deal to fight the much smaller Terence Crawford; the importance of his far greater pro experience compared to Morrell’s; the desire to fight the winner of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed title rematch; and more.
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Announcement that Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis will meet in a very attractive welterweight unification bout on April 12.
The specifics of the PPV undercard for the Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. show on March 1.
Announcement of Keith Thurman’s return along with my reporting on Tim Tszyu’s planned return and that they are headed to a summer fight against each other if they win and that it would be a Prime Video non-PPV event.
The latest on junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez: his new management team, possible fights, and a multi-fight offer for him and Top Rank to work with Turki Alalshikh.
Matchroom Boxing’s announcement that it has signed Omari Jones, the only 2024 Olympic boxing medalist for the United States, and the details of his professional debut.
Memories on the 37th anniversary of when the absolute prime Mike Tyson knocked out the older but still quality fellow Hall of Fame former champion Larry Holmes in the fourth round to retain the undisputed title.
Please give it a listen! 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.
Benavidez photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC
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