Podcast: Deontay Wilder interview; recapping Bam's huge victory
Plus: Morrell blitzes Agbeko; Jake Paul scores big KO; Teofimo Lopez update; DAZN February fights unveiled; Showtime memories
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There were three notable cards over the weekend and we recapped and gave our thoughts on each: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s superb ninth-round knockout of Sunny Edwards to unify flyweight titles; David Morrell’s second-round wipeout of Sena Agbeko to retain the his “secondary” super middleweight belt to close out the final Showtime card; and Jake Paul’s first-round destruction of Andre August on Friday night. There is also my interview with former heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder, who returns to fight Joseph Parker on Saturday on the mega card in Saudi Arabia; news of the week; and our reflections on the end boxing on Showtime.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Recap and thoughts on Morrell’s easy knockout of Agbeko and thoughts on his future; how good he is; where he fits in among the best at super middleweight; and views on is calling out David Benavidez.
Recaps and thoughts on the two Showtime undercard fights, which were both rematches: lightweight Jose Valenzuela’s mammoth knockout of Chris Colbert in a title eliminator to avenge a controversial loss and Robert Guerrero’s second decision over fellow 40-year-old Andre Berto in a blast-from-the-past 11 years after their first welterweight bout.
Recap and thoughts on Rodriguez’s pound-for-pound caliber knockout performance against Edwards to unify flyweight titles; how Rodriguez was able to dominate; was this his best victory; and will we see him against Juan Francisco Estrada next? We also gave our thoughts on former unified junior featherweight titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s one-sided eighth-round knockout of Kevin Gonzalez in a title eliminator.
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Recap and thoughts on Paul’s first-round erasure of August, his continued development, and what might be next.
My brief interview with Wilder as well as questions from others on a small U.S. media Zoom call, including finally fighting Parker years after they were was a lot of talk about them meeting in a unification fight; the prospect of a long-awaited fight with Anthony Joshua if they both win Saturday; thoughts on having had less than one full round in the past two years; and thoughts on Joshua’s fight against Otto Wallin.
Plans for Teofimo Lopez to defend the junior welterweight title against Jamaine Ortiz on Feb. 8 in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week with lightweight Keyshawn Davis to step up on the undercard against Jose Pedraz.
Matchroom Boxing’s announcement of three cards in February, including the return of Edgar Berlanga.
Memories of the great ride Showtime gave boxing fans through it’s outstanding 37-year history, which concluded with Saturday night’s tripleheader.
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.
Wilder photo: Queensberry Promotions
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Re: the Ring Belt for Bam, credit Ring for ensuring “beat the man to be the man” rules as opposed to “moving targets” of other belt issuers?