Podcast: Recap of Beterbiev-Smith, looking ahead to Bivol
Plus: Moloney-Sanchez brawl, Mbilli-Murdock; Fury-Usyk undercard; more news of the week; nostalgia time with Tyson, Frazier, Ali, BHop
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.
There was just one notable card on Saturday but it was a terrific show headlined by unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s entertaining but one-sided demolition of Callum Smith. We recapped and discussed the show. We also went over news of the week and looked back on a notable fight anniversary and paid tribute to three greats on their birthdays.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Recap and thoughts on Beterbiev’s seventh-round destruction of Smith, who was down twice and outclassed, and the probability that Beterbiev will next face Dmitry Bivol in a four-belt unification fight for the undisputed title. Why it will be next, when and what needs to be done to finalize it.
Recap of super middleweight contender Mbilli’s exciting but one-sided battering of tough Rohan Murdock, whose corner did a great job stopping the fight.
Recap of the first 2024 fight of the year candidate as Jason Moloney retained the WBO bantamweight title in a tremendous and very close battle with Saul Sanchez, including the scoring, the corner work and the great action.
Thoughts on light heavyweight prospect Imam Khataev, a 2020 Russian Olympic bronze medalist, who looked very impressive in his preliminary bout.
Please upgrade to a paid subscription for full access to all posts and comments — and also help support independent journalism
Make sure to check out the 2023 Fight Freaks Unite award stories
Discussion of various bouts in the works for the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undercard on Feb. 17.
The latest on Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez likely being headed to a WBA cruiserweight title shot in March.
Top Rank being in the process of finalizing a potentially very entertaining junior lightweight fight between former titlist Oscar Valdez and former title challenger Liam Wilson.
Memories on the 25th anniversary of when Mike Tyson returned from his ear-bite suspension to struggle before starching Frans Botha with one shot.
Paying tribute to the late, great Joe Frazier on what would have been his 80th birthday and Muhammad Ali on what would have been his 82nd; and happy 58th birthday wishes to the legendary Bernard Hopkins.
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.
Beterbiev photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
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
DTM can you elaborate how good Jose Luis Ramirez was??? I am a young boxing freak, so discovering a lot from the sweet science. Looking at Ramirez record i think he only lost to HOFers is that correct??