Podcast: Dmitry Bivol interview; preview of Berinchyk-Davis
Plus a look at Catterall-Barboza and Duarte-Madueno; plenty of news of the week; anniversary memories of a big fight
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There are three notable cards this weekend and we previewed several of the fights, including WBO lightweight titlist Denys Berinchyk’s defense against Keyshawn Davis headlining the Top Rank card on ESPN on Friday night; and two on Saturday, Jack Catterall versus Arnold Barboza Jr. for the vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title topping the Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN and junior welterweight contender Oscar Duarte taking on Miguel Madueno in the Golden Boy main event, also on DAZN. There is also my interview with former light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol as he heads into his rematch with undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev on Feb. 22 and discussion of several news items of the week and the anniversary of a big fight.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of Berinchyk-Davis as well as thoughts on several undercard bouts that include fighters such as Xander Zayas, Vito Mielnicki Jr., Abdullah Mason, Rohan Polanco and the return of heavyweight Jared Anderson from his first loss.
Preview of Catterall-Barboza, the winner of which will be the mandatory challenger for junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Preview of Duarte-Madueno, a fight that on paper looks like a banger.
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My interview with Bivol and we covered quite a few topics, including his thoughts on how the first fight with Beterbiev went; dealing with his first defeat; what he thinks he needs to do better in the rematch; assessing Beterbiev’s vaunted power; his appreciation for getting the immediate rematch; what would it mean to him to become the undisputed champion while also avenging his only defeat; the relatively quick turnaround time between the two fights; his interest in moving up to go for a title at cruiserweight; a potential third fight with Beterbiev; and more.
Announcement that super middleweight Bruno Surace, author of the biggest upset of 2024, will give Jaime Munguia a chance to avenge the loss in a rematch on the Canelo Alvarez-William Scull undercard on May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The date and site set for lightweights Raymond Muratalla and Zaur Abdullaev to meet for the vacant IBF interim lightweight title.
The change of plans for the return of super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga and what could in his future with a win.
Announcement by PBC that unified junior middleweight titlist Sebastian Fundora will make his first defense against Chordale Booker in the main event of a March 22 tripleheader on Prime Video.
Muhammad Ali’s fight-worn trunks from the “Thrilla in Manila” selling for $1.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction last weekend.
Memories on the 26th anniversary of when Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya scored one of his biggest wins in a hard-fought decision over Ike Quartey to retain the WBC welterweight title in a memorable fight.
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.
Bivol photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
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