Podcast: Previewing Haney-Prograis showdown; Jake Paul interview
Plus: Ramirez-Espinoza; PBC/Amazon deal; Hall of Fame election results; more news; Bob Arum's birthday; three fight anniversaries
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We have three notable fights this weekend and we previewed and discussed all three: former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney’s rise in weight to challenge Regis Prograis for his WBC junior welterweight title on Matchroom Boxing’s DAZN PPV card Saturday; WBO featherweight titlist Robeisy Ramirez’s defense against Rafael Espinoza in the Top Rank/ESPN main event Saturday; and WBO cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith’s defense versus Mateusz Masternak on Sunday on the Boxxer card on Peacock in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the U.K. There is also my interview with cruiserweight Jake Paul, who takes on Andre August on Dec. 15 on DAZN, as well as an extended discussion about PBC’s new deal with Amazon Prime Video, plus the International Boxing Hall of Fame election results; more news of the week; thoughts on the legendary Top Rank promoter Bob Arum on his 92nd birthday, plus fight anniversaries.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
TJ’s back!
Announcement of the PBC/Amazon rights deal and what we think about is as the platform that will replace Showtime.
Preview of the excellent fight between Haney and Prograis. Who’s style will prevail?
Preview of Ramirez’s defense against Espinoza and the co-feature between junior middleweight up-and-comer Xander Zayas and Jorge Fortea.
Preview of Billam-Smith’s first defense against Masternak.
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My interview with Paul, in which we covered several topics: what does he like best about boxing; what did he learn from taking his first loss to Tommy Fury in February; the prospect of a rematch with Nate Diaz; his decision set aside doing a PPV event in a big arena against a name opponent to go the more traditional route of development by facing a full-time boxer with similar experience as him; to fight a boxer without a big name, not in a big arena and not on pay-per-view; leaving a ton of money on the table to go this route; a cameo appearance by Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian; what spurred Paul’s tremendous support of women’s boxing; and more.
Breakdown and thoughts on the Hall of Fame class of 2024 that was announced on Thursday.
Amanda Serrano’s announcement that she would give up her undisputed featherweight champion status by vacating the WBC title because the sanctioning body won’t allow a women’s fight to be 12 rounds with three-minute rounds as she prefers to fight.
Thoughts on the legendary Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who turns 92 on Friday.
Memories on the 21st anniversary of a loaded HBO doubleheader headlined by Wladimir Klitschko’s WBO heavyweight title defense against top contender Jameel McCline and WBC lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather defending against Jose Luis Castillo in a much-anticipated rematch.
Memories on the 34th anniversary of Sugar Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran III, a disappointing end to their rivalry and the final fight of the nine-fight round-robin between the Four Kings — Leonard, Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns — that defined the 1980s.
Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
Haney-Prograis photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
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I wish the undercard for Haney/Progais was better. Only get one first impression. Eddie Hearn gets criticized for his difficulties promoting in the USA. And yes the tickets sold in SF (me being one) are amazing. It would've been nice to have one guaranteed All Action Mexican Fight on the undercard. Does Eddie not know the demographics of the Bay Area and or USA in general? Hopefully this card delivers regardless, because a new large metropolitan market would be great for the sport.