Podcast: Prograis interview; huge wins for Benavidez, Taylor
Plus: Jermall Charlo, Matias and Roach notch big victories on undercard; news of the week; anniversary memories of three fights
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
We recapped and discussed the two major events from Saturday: the excellent David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade Showtime PPV card and the tremendous battle between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron in their high-stakes rematch. There is also my interview with WBC junior welterweight titleholder Regis Prograis as he prepares for his Dec. 9 defense against unified lightweight champion Devin Haney, news of the week and a triple dose of nostalgia in our anniversaries section.
Here’s what we discussed on this episode (in order):
Recap and thoughts on Benavidez’s highly entertaining sixth-round knockout of Andrade to retain the WBC interim super middleweight title.
Recap and thoughts on the rest of the pay-per-view undercard: Jermall Charlo’s return after 29 months out of the ring to win a spirited but one-sided decision over game Jose Benavidez Jr.; IBF junior welterweight titlist Subriel Matias scoring a sixth-round knockout of Shohjahon Ergashev, who became the fifth consecutive opponent of Matias’ to retire on the stool; and Lamont Roach’s split decision over Hector Luis Garcia to win the WBA junior lightweight title because of a questionable 12th-round knockdown.
Recap and thoughts on Taylor exacting revenge against Cameron to win the undisputed women’s junior welterweight title in a fantastic battle that headlined the Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN.
Please upgrade to a paid subscription for full access to all posts and comments — and also help support independent journalism
My interview with Prograis in which we covered many topics, including: his decision to pursue the fight with Haney; his belief that his power will neutralize Haney; whether there is true animosity between the two or not; fighting in San Francisco, where Haney is from; being the B-side of the fight even though he is the one defending the title; having a black eye while doing this interview and who gave it to him; why he looked so bad in his first defense against Danielito Zorrilla in June; his perspective on whether the fight with Haney belongs on PPV; and what are his longer range goals in boxing.
The announcement that DAZN PPV will carry the Dec. 23 mega card in Saudi Arabia that includes Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in separate fights and that it has been priced at a very attractive $39.99 in the U.S.
Showtime’s announcement of the official lineup of bouts for its final boxing event on Dec. 16.
Memories on the eighth anniversary of when Tyson Fury dethroned heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in a historic win but in a horrible fight.
Ringside memories on the 19th anniversary of the legendary third fight between rivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales in what became the 2004 fight of the year.
Memories on the 25th anniversary of an extremely underrated five-knockdown shootout between Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu and Diobelys Hurtado in the opening bout of an old-school “Boxing After Dark” card on HBO.
Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
We will be bringing you the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.
Prograis-Haney photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
Please upgrade your subscription here: https://danrafael.substack.com/subscribe
Thank you so much for your support of Fight Freaks Unite!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danrafael1/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanRafael1
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanRafaelBoxing
Neither mex or Puerto Rican 😃
Morell probably got the last show on showtime cause hes next for canelo. It gets to showcase him. PBC can spin it as a mandatory and they promote it as mexico vs puerto rico on cinco de mayo. Hopefully in sept benavidez gets his shot.