Podcast: Haney's masterpiece vs. Prograis; Espinoza shocks Ramirez
Plus: Billam-Smith retains title; news of the week; anniversary memories
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There were three significant fights this weekend and we gave our thoughts on all three beginning with Devin Haney’s stellar performance in a shutout decision over Regis Prograis to win the WBC junior welterweight title. We also covered Rafael Espinoza’s dramatic and huge upset majority decision over Robeisy Ramirez to win the WBO featherweight title and Chris Billam-Smith’s come-from-behind eight-round knockout of Mateusz Masternak to retain the WBO cruiserweight title. Then we discussed news of the week and I shared ringside memories of two major fights on their anniversaries.
Here’s what what’s I covered in this episode (in order):
Recap and thoughts on Haney’s masterpiece as he went up to 140 pounds and toyed with Prograis to win a world title in a second division in the Matchroom Boxing main event on DAZN PPV. We discussed his great showing, Prograis’ historically poor performance; what might be next for each of Haney; and a look at the undercard.
Recap and thoughts on the heretofore unknown Espinoza’s rousing title win over Ramirez in a fight of the year candidate on the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card as well as the impressive wins by Xander Zayas, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, and Richard Torrez Jr. on the undercard.
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Recap and thoughts on Billam-Smith’s first title defense in the Boxxer main event on Peacock in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the U.K.
News and thoughts on Showtime’s addition of a fourth fight to the final broadcast this coming Saturday — a rematch between welterweights Robert Guerrero and Andre Berto 11 years after their first fight.
Announcement of a March 2 Top Rank card that will feature two featherweight title fights: Luis Alberto’s IBF mandatory defense against Reiya Abe and Otabek Kholmatov versus Raymond Ford for the vacant WBA title.
Ringside memories on the 11th anniversary of when Juan Manuel Marquez starched Manny Pacquiao face first in their epic fourth fight to conclude their historic series with the only conclusive ending to any of the bouts in what was the 2012 fight and knockout of the year and 2010s fight of the decade.
Ringside memories on the 12th anniversary of when Amir Khan was robbed of unifying junior welterweight titles against Lamont Peterson because of what I and many viewed as blatant hometown refereeing that favored Peterson in Washington, D.C.
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We will be bringing you the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.
Haney photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
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Prograis was tailor made for Haney. I still believe Loma won that fight against Haney, if it weren't for the Haney leaning judges. I watched the fight many times and Loma should've had his hand raised.