Podcast: Interview with Hitchins; Keyshawn-De Los Santos preview
Also: Wardley-Huni, Nakatani-Nishida, Opetaia-Squeo; Loma retires, more news of the week; big fight anniversary memories
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We previewed fights from four cards that take place this weekend around the world, including Keyshawn Davis’ WBO lightweight title defense against Edwin De Los Santos. There is also my interview with IBF junior welterweight titlist Richardson Hitchins ahead of his upcoming defense. We also covered notable news of the week and looked back on the anniversary of two notable fights.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of the top two fights on Saturday’s Top Rank card on ESPN: Davis’ first title defense in a Norfolk, Virginia, homecoming bout against De Los Santos and lightweight up-and-comer Abdullah Mason against Jeremia Nakathila in the co-feature.
Preview of the main event on Saturday’s Queensberry card on DAZN: Fabio Wardley in an Ipswich, England, homecoming fight for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title against fellow undefeated Justis Huni.
Preview of the main event of Sunday’s Teiken Promotions show in Tokyo on ESPN+: an all-Japanese bantamweight unification fight between Junto Nakatani and Ryosuke Nishida.
Preview of the main event of Sunday’s Tasman Fighters card on DAZN in Broadbeach, Australia: lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia’s defense against fellow undefeated Claudio Squeo.
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My interview with Hitchins, who will make his first IBF junior welterweight title defense against former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. on June 14 on DAZN in New York.
The retirement announcement of three-division champion and former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko and discussion of his place in boxing history.
The death of trainer Jose Santa Cruz, who trained his four sons as professional boxers, including four-division titleholder Leo Santa Cruz, at age 65 after a long battle with cancer.
The return of Nonito Donaire against Andres Campos for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title on June 14.
A look at the International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2025, led by Manny Pacquiao, which will be inducted on Sunday.
The nostalgia segments are available on the YouTube channel, so please subscribe. Ringside memories on the ninth anniversary of when WBC junior lightweight titlist Francisco Vargas and Orlando Salido fought to a hellacious draw in the 2016 fight of the year — one night after Muhammad Ali’s death.
Memories on the 37th anniversary of when Iran Barkley knocked out the great Thomas Hearns in the third round of a huge upset to win the WBC middleweight title.
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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.
Hitchins photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
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Loma's record in the pros is very misleading, Salido was way over the weight but most including myself had him winning. His other 2 L's were more down to how dwarfed in size he was by Lopez and Haney but myself and most others had him beating Haney. Have a great retirement champ.