Podcast: Teofimo Lopez interview; new date set for Fury-Usyk
Plus: Recaps of Buatsi-Azeez, Benn-Dobson cards; news of the week; Happy Birthday Oscar De La Hoya; big fight anniversary memories
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We’ve got a jam-packed show, including recaps, previews and an interview! There were two notable Saturday cards and we recapped both, the Boxxer event headlined by the Joshua Buatsi-Dan Azeez WBA light heavyweight eliminator and the Matchroom Boxing card topped by Conor Benn-Peter Dobson. We also previewed lineal/WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez’s title defense against Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday and also have my one-on-one interview with Lopez. Plus there is news of the week, a birthday tribute to Hall of Fame great Oscar De La Hoya and the anniversary of a memorable fight to look back on.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
The announcement of a new date for the postponed undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Recap of Buatsi’s hard-fought unanimous decision over Azeez to earn a world title shot as well as thoughts on rising British star Adam Azim’s fifth-round knockout of Enock Poulsen due to injury to retain the European junior welterweight title.
Recap of Benn’s pedestrian performance in a 12-round decision over Dobson in a junior middleweight fight and thoughts on the undercard, including middleweight Austin “Ammo” Williams’ highlight-reel seventh-round KO victory.
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My interview with Lopez ahead of his first 140 title defense. We covered many topics, including his upset title win over Josh Taylor in June; his extremely brief retirement after the fight; Jose Ramirez turning down a chance to fight him for the title and millions of dollars; fighting in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week; thoughts on Ortiz and the amateur win Lopez has over him; his calling out for a fight against undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford; more.
Preview of Lopez-Ortiz and the co-feature, lightweight Keyshawn Davis taking a big step up in opposition against Jose Pedraza.
Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh comments that along with Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol on June 1 that the undercard will be the five fights matching Queensberry boxers against those from Matchroom Boxing.
The resuming of negotiations for a Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia fight for April 20.
A pair of notable new heavyweight fights: Fabio Wardley against Frazer Clarke being set for March 31 and the WBC ordering an eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Agit Kabayel.
On his 51st birthday, a tribute to Hall of Fame great Oscar De La Hoya.
Memories on the 19th anniversary of when Zab Judah went to Cory Spinks’ hometown of St. Louis and knocked him out in the ninth round of a rematch to avenge his loss and win the undisputed welterweight title.
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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.
Lopez photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
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Do have a question about the IBF and if they agree with the new date? I have heard they could possible strip the winner of the belt cause of the rematch clause? Your thoughts?