Podcast: Recapping Zhang's huge KO of Joyce in the rematch
Plus: Hitchins routs Zepeda; Conor Benn's controversial return; news of the week; anniversary of a great HBO card
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There were two notable cards on Saturday and we recapped and discussed them both: the Queensberry show on ESPN+ headlined by Zhilei Zhang’s crushing third-round knockout of Joe Joyce in their rematch to retain the WBO interim heavyweight title and the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN card that was headlined by junior welterweight Richardson Hitchins rout of longtime contender Jose Zepeda and also included the controversial return of Conor Benn. We also covered some news of the week and looked back on the anniversary a terrific and significant HBO doubleheader.
Here’s what we discussed on this episode (in order):
Recap of Zhang’s huge knockout of Joyce as he won the rematch even easier than he did the first time in April. What happened, what might be next for him and how damaging was this for Joyce?
Light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde’s second-round blowout of last-minute opponent Jorge Silva and the weirdness of Yarde’s career.
Recap of Hitchins’ easy rout of Zepeda, whose three previous losses had come in world title fights. What was good and what was not so good about Hitchins’ biggest win to date? Where does he fit in the loaded 140-pound division?
Benn’s return in a move up junior middleweight for an action-packed decision over Rodolfo Orozco with his PED case still hanging over his head at home in England.
The rest of the undercard: WBO women’s welterweight titlist Sandy Ryan getting ripped off in a putrid draw with WBC/WBA champion Jessica McCaskill and middleweight up-and-comer Austin “Ammo” Williams’ solid decision win over veteran Steve Rolls.
The announcement of the referee and judges for the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo undisputed super middleweight title fight that will take place Saturday in the main event of a big pay-per-view card.
Golden Boy’s announcement that Joseph Diaz Jr. will fight in the co-feature of the Alexis Rocha-Giovani Santillan DAZN card on Oct. 21.
Ringside memories on the 18th anniversary an excellent HBO doubleheader I covered at ringside in Atlantic City, New Jersey, that was headlined by Wladimir Klitschko getting off the mat three times in a dramatic decision win over Samuel Peter in their first fight to earn a heavyweight title shot. Also on the card, a young Miguel Cotto got knocked down for the first time and walked through fire to retain the WBO junior welterweight title in all-out slugfest with then-unknown Ricardo Torres.
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We will be bringing you the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.
Zhang photo: Queensberry Promotions
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