Podcast: Tank Davis interview, preview of his fight vs. Frank Martin
Plus: Benavidez-Gvozdyk, rest of card; Matias-Paro and Billam-Smith-Riakporhe; news of the week; celebrating 100 fight cards at MGM Grand Garden Arena
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LAS VEGAS — There are three significant fight cards on Saturday and we previewed each of them with our main focus on Gervonta Davis’ return from a 14-month layoff to defend the WBA lightweight title against Frank Martin in the main event of the PBC on Prime pay-per-view. There is also my one-on-one interview with Davis, who I spoke to following the news conference on Wednesday. We also went over news of the week and in our nostalgia section reflected on the phenomenal history of the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which will host its 100th boxing event with the Davis-Martin card.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview of Davis-Martin: What to expect, how can each man win and what their keys to victory are.
My interview with Davis. We covered various topics, including why he blew off the grand arrivals on Tuesday; the magnitude of his last fight against Ryan Garcia; he compares Martin’s skills to Garcia’s; going to jail soon after the big victory over Garcia; how he thinks he will off a 14-month layoff; and his thoughts about remaining at lightweight or pursuing major fights at junior welterweight.
Preview of the rest of the PPV undercard: David Benavidez-Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title; Gary Antuanne Russell-Alberto Puello for the vacant WBC interim junior welterweight title; and WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames’ first defense against Terrell Gausha.
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TJ’s interview Mark Boccardi of PPV.com, our sponsor, which will steam the PPV with no subscription required.
Preview of IBF junior welterweight titlist Subriel Matias’ Puerto Rican homecoming defense against Liam Paro.
Preview of Chris Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title defense in a rematch with Richard Riakporhe, the only to defeat him.
Announcement that Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ first IBF welterweight title defense will be against David Avanesyan, who is replacing injured Cody Crowley.
My reporting on the possible lineup of fights for the Sept. 21 Anthony Joshua card at Wembley Stadium in London that Riyadh Season is putting on and the reports that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is in discussions to buy out the major promoters and create what would in essence be a boxing league.
Thoughts on the second postponement of the purse bid for undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory defense against William Scull.
Announcement that heavyweight contender Jared Anderson has made a trainer change to SugarHill Steward on the suggestion of Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh.
Memories of many of the great fights and moments at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where I will have covered 56 of the 100 cards come Davis-Martin on Saturday night.
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.
Davis photo: Esther Lin/PBC
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