Podcast: Keyshawn Davis interview; recap of Conceicao-Foster II
Schofield-Giron card thoughts; news of the week; Tszyu-Judah, Foreman-Moorer anniversaries; Larry Holmes birthday celebration
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There were a pair of notable cards on Saturday and we recapped them both — the Top Rank show headlined by the WBC junior lightweight title rematch between Robson Conceicao and O’Shaquie Foster and the Golden Boy card topped by lightweight prospect Floyd Schofield against Rene Tellez Giron. There is also my interview with lightweight up-and-comer Keyshawn Davis ahead of his Norfolk, Virginia, homecoming fight on Friday’s Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card; news of the week; memories on the anniversary of two major fights; and a birthday appreciation of the legendary Larry Holmes.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Recap of Foster’s split decision over Conceicao to regain the 130-pound belt four months after losing via controversial split decision: Was it the right call this time, how did he do it, what might be next? We also recapped lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla’s impressive second-round knockout of Jesus Perez in the co-feature that may propel him into a title shot.
Recap of Schofield’s wide decision win over Giron, who caused late-fight drama with a clean knockdown, as well as super middleweight Bektemir Melikuziev’s split decision over David Stevens in a WBA title eliminator; and Gabriela Fundora’s seventh-round knockout of Gabriela Alaniz to fully unify the women’ flyweight division to become the undisputed champion.
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My interview with Davis ahead of his fight with Gustavo Lemos on Friday: Fulfilling the dream of fighting for the first time at home and being in his first main event; thoughts on sharing the card with his brothers, Kelvin and Keon, who are on the undercard; his reaction to having the fight at the Scope be a virtual sellout well before the event; thoughts on Lemos; dealing with potential distractions of fighting at home; his time going to a mental health facility to deal with his issues; following in the footsteps of Norfolk’s favorite son, the late, great Hall of Famer Pernell Whitaker; how he has benefited since giving up smoking marijuana a couple of fights ago; the birth of his infant son; goals for a world title opportunity in 2025; more.
Announcement of Queensberry Promotions’ exclusive deal to move its events to DAZN beginning April 1.
Gustavo Olivieri, the longtime WBO attorney, being elected president of the sanctioning body to replace retiring Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.
Memories on the 23rd anniversary of Kostya Tszyu’s memorable second-round knockout of Zab Judah to unify the junior welterweight division and become the undisputed champion.
Memories on the 30th anniversary of when George Foreman scored a massive upset 10th-round knockout of Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight championship almost 20 years to the day after losing it to Muhammad Ali and become, at age 45, the oldest champion in boxing history at the time.
A 75th birthday celebration of the great heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
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Davis photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
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Started sending out applications for a second job. DAZN will subscription price will go through the ceiling for North Americans. come April. Of course across the pond, those subscribers will probably get a small, nominal raise.