Podcast: Jim Lampley interview; previewing Usyk-Dubois
Plus: Anderson-Rudenko; Tszyu defense set; Canelo-Charlo PPV undercard addition; more news of the week; memories on Mayweather-McGregor anniversary
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Saturday is all about the heavyweight division with two notable cards featuring the big men. First up is three-belt unified titleholder Oleksandr Usyk in a mandatory defense against Daniel Dubois in Poland and then Jared Anderson taking on Andriy Rudenko in the Top Rank main event. We previewed and discussed both cards. There is also my interview with Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Lampley, who returns to boxing to be on site in Las Vegas for fight week as a contributor to PPV.com for its coverage of the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo undisputed super middleweight title fight on Sept. 30. We also discussed news of the week and looked back on a notable anniversary
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of Usyk’s defense against Dubois: Usyk’s reasons for having the fight in Poland; what kind of chance do we give big underdog Dubois; what could be on tap if Usyk wins; and more.
Preview of Anderson-Rudenko: Anderson’s quick return from his last bout; what we learned from his struggles in his last fight; what threat does Rudenko pose?
Preview of the Efe Ajagba-Zhan Kossobutskiy co-feature.
My interview with Jim Lampley. We discussed several topics, including his upcoming gig with PPV.com; what he’s been doing since HBO exited boxing at the end of 2018; becoming a boxing fan as a child; going to his first fight: then-Cassius Clay’s upset of Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title; getting his start as a boxing announcer at ABC; his move to HBO; covering Mike Tyson; following boxing since leaving HBO; thoughts on Crawford-Spence; thoughts on Canelo-Charlo; more.
Announcement that Tim Tszyu will make his first defense of the WBO junior middleweight title against Brian Mendoza in October.
The addition of Yordenis Ugas vs. Mario Barrios for the vacant WBC interim welterweight title to the Canelo-Charlo pay-per-view undercard.
Announcement that Jai Opetaia will make his first lineal/IBF cruiserweight title defense against Jordan Thompson on DAZN on Sept. 30 after making a deal for mandatory challenger and former champion Mairis Briedis to step aside.
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez against Joe Smith Jr. being made official for Oct. 7 at 193 pounds.
Ringside memories on the sixth anniversary of the mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and UFC star Conor McGregor.
Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
Jim Lampley photo: HBO
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Incredible interview, Dan. That interview was so interesting and made me nostalgic for the days of HBO BOXING. Jim is so good with his words, definitely glad he’s back in the boxing game in some way, shape, or form.
Whilst Usyk is a clear favourite, its clear Dubois has a chance be it a small one. Bigger upsets than this have happened so what is a blown up cruiserweight being beaten by a fully fledged heavyweight is not impossible.