Podcast: Joseph Parker interview ahead of Fabio Wardley showdown
Plus: Preview of Danny Garcia's 'Farewell to Brooklyn'; Rafael Espinoza defense set; California commission votes to support Ali Act changes; more news of the week
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It is yet another very slow boxing weekend with one fight of some note, Danny Garcia’s self-titled “Farewell to Brooklyn” on Saturday night and we previewed it. There is also my interview with WBO interim heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker ahead of his upcoming bout with Fabio Wardley. We also covered several notable news items of the week, including the announcement of Rafael Espinoza’s next WBO featherweight title defense, and had spirited discussion about the California State Athletic Commission’s vote to support the proposed legislation to amend the Muhammad Ali Act. Also, check out and subscribe to the YouTube channel for a variety of content.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of former two-division titleholder Danny Garcia’s return from a 13-month layoff and a knockout loss challenging Erislandy Lara for a middleweight title to face Daniel Gonzalez in a junior middleweight bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where Garcia had many of his biggest fights.
My interview with Parker ahead of his interim title defense against the dangerous puncher Wardley on Oct. 25 in a DAZN PPV main event in London as he risks his status as the due mandatory challenger for undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
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Announcement of WBO featherweight titlist Rafael Espinoza’s defense against Arnold Khegai on Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on card that will also include Lindolfo Delgado against Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in an IBF junior welterweight eliminator and fights for Top Rank prospects Richard Torrez Jr. and Emiliano Vargas.
The WBA’s order for “regular” heavyweight titlist Kubrat Pulev to defend against Moses Itauma next which was followed by Pulev’s announcement that he is facing Murat Gassiev in December. We try to explain the nonsense.
A discussion of the California commission’s 6-0 vote to endorse the TKO/Zuffa Boxing-based Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act and what it could mean as well as our thoughts on if this is good, bad or somewhere in the middle.
Announcement that Amanda Serrano will return to featherweight to defend her unified title in a rematch of her epic battle with Erika Cruz.
The WBA’s order of welterweight titlist Rolando Romero and mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov to meet next, which seems like it would be an issue given the plans in the works for Romero to fight Manny Pacquiao in January. More WBA doing WBA things.
The rematch between WBC cruiserweight titlist Badou Jack and former titlist Noel Mikaelian being set for Dec.13 after Jack’s highly disputed majority decision win in May.
Listen to the episode! 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.
Parker photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
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Really good episode, all things considered. Fans are just left to read the "Tea Leaves" when it comes to Top Rank. I do think it's interesting, that it doesn't appear like they're keeping their Powder Dry for anything in very early 2026.