Podcast: 'Day of Reckoning' mega card preview; Joshua-Wilder deal
News of the week: Haney-Garcia talks, Serrano, Paul card, Charlo arrest; anniversary memories of two significant fights
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.
There is just one notable fight card this weekend and it’s a big one, the “Day of Reckoning” mega card Saturday (DAZN PPV) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in separate co-features as they attempt to punch their way into a showdown with each in March. We previewed the entire show. There is also news of the week and memories of two significant fights on their anniversaries.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
My reporting on all terms being agreed to for Joshua and Wilder to fight March 9, as long they don’t lose on Saturday and are injury free.
Jai Opetaia vacating the IBF cruiserweight title ahead of Saturday’s lineal title defense against Ellis Zorro due to the abject absurdity of the IBF’s decision to not sanction his defense.
Previewing the “Day of Reckoning” PPV, including Joshua-Otto Wallin; Wilder-Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois-Jarrell Miller heavyweight fights; Dmitry Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight defense versus Lyndon Arthur; Arslanbek Makhmudov-Agit Kabayel at heavyweight; Opetaia-Zorro; and Frank Sanchez-Junior Fa at heavyweight.
The strong probability of Bivol facing unified champion Artur Beterbiev next year in Saudi Arabia if Bivol wins and Beterbiev wins his January fight against Callum Smith.
Please upgrade to a paid subscription for full access to all posts and comments — and also help support independent journalism
TJ’s chat with Big Fight Weekend’s Saadeq Ahmed, who is on site covering “Day of Reckoning” in Riyadh.
The conversations between promoters Oscar De La Hoya and Eddie Hearn in an effort to make what would be big fight between WBC junior welterweight titlist Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia for March/April.
The arrest of Jermell Charlo for allegedly hitting his wife and then joking about it in a widely circulated audio clip.
The return of unified women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano to defend against mandatory challenger Nina Meinke on March 2 in a San Juan homecoming fight with Jake Paul, her promoter, fighting in the co-feature.
Memories on the 25th anniversary of when Floyd Mayweather made his first world title defense, blowing out top junior lightweight contender Angel Manfredy in the second round of a great performance.
Memories on the 25th anniversary of the all-time epic fight between then-featherweight champion Prince Naseem Hamed, making his American debut, and former titlist Kevin Kelley, who combined for six knockdowns in a memorable four-round shootout that is one of my all-time favorite fights.
Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
Joshua-Wallin photo: Mark Robinson/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
