Podcast: Preview of loaded '5 vs. 5' card in Saudi Arabia
Plus: Wilder-Zhang, Hrgovic-Dubois lead way; Bivol also in action on show; news of the week; anniversary memories; celebrating 'Rocky III'
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There is just one card of note this weekend but it’s a big one, the “5 vs. 5” DAZN PPV card from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, pitting five fighters from the roster of Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn against five fighters promoted by Frank Warren and headlined by a significant heavyweight fight between Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. We also covered news of the week and looked back on the anniversary of some major boxing events.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of Wilder-Zhang in a fight both men need to win after having suffered losses to Joseph Parker last time they were in the ring.
Preview of the rest of the “5 vs. 5” bouts: heavyweight Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois; Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball for Ford’s WBA featherweight title; Austin Williams vs. Hamzah Sheeraz in a showdown between unbeaten rising middleweights; and a light heavyweight crossroads bout between veteran contender Craig Richards and up-and-comer Willy Hutchinson.
Preview of light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol’s defense against Malik Zinad, a replacement for injured Artur Beterbiev in what was supposed to be a much-anticipated fight for the undisputed title.
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The WBC’s announcement that its welterweight title has been vacated and Terence Crawford re-classified as its “champion in recess.”
The medical emergency Mike Tyson suffered on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles less than two months before he is supposed to fight Jake Paul.
The IBF scheduling the purse bid for Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory defense against William Scull, whose team asked for the immediate bid.
Memories of the great Johnny Tapia, who died 12 years ago this week.
Memories on the 27th anniversary of when Vince Phillips scored a massive upset by knocking out Kostya Tszyu to win the IBF junior welterweight title.
Celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the release of “Rocky III,” the greatest boxing movie of all time.
Please give it a listen! 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.
Dubois-Hrgovic photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
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What a great bill despite Beterbiev getting injured.
“Rocky III,” the greatest boxing movie of all time.????
Diggstown says hold my beer…..