Podcast: What to make of AJ's win; Benavidez interview post Plant
Plus: Recapping Ramirez-Dogboe and Roy Jones-Pettis; news of the week; and a look back at a significant heavyweight upset
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Welcome to the Fight Freaks Unite recap podcast coming off a weekend where they biggest fight was the return of former two-time unified heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua, who won a clear decision over Jermaine Franklin. There was also Robeisy Ramirez’s dominating decision over Isaac Dogboe to win the vacant WBO featherweight title and Roy Jones Jr. coming out of a five-year retirement and losing an eight-round majority decision to former UFC champion Anthony Pettis in a cruiserweight bout. We recapped all three fights and gave our thoughts. There is also my in-depth interview with David Benavidez following his big win over Caleb Plant a little over a week ago. We also went over some news of the week and recalled a shocking result in a major heavyweight fight 23 years ago.
Here’s what we discussed on this episode (in order):
Joshua’s victory over Franklin and there’s a lot to talk about. How did he look? How did he fight under the guidance of a new trainer in Derrick James? Does it matter that he didn’t score a knockout? Will he ever reclaim the ferocity he once had? Is Tyson Fury next?
Ramirez’s impressive decision over Dogboe: What was the key? Where does he now fit in in the interesting featherweight division? What’s the big fight for him?
Jones, at 54, taking a decision loss to Pettis that made me sad to watch after having covered Jones at his absolute pound-for-pound best.
My post-fight interview with Benavidez following his big win over Plant. We covered many topics: How did he celebrate; his slow start; his thoughts on what it was like headlining his first pay-per-view card; the bad night from referee Kenny Bayless; putting the bad blood with Plant behind him; he makes his case for a fight with undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez; and what might be next since a Canelo fight is unlikely?
The announcement during the Joshua-Franklin card that Mauricio Lara will make his first featherweight title defense in a rematch with former titlist Leigh Wood on May 27.
Matchroom Boxing signing flyweight titleholder Sunny Edwards and top junior welterweight contender Jack Catterall.
Memories on the 23rd anniversary of Chris Byrd’s shocking upset to win the WBO heavyweight title in Berlin when Vitali Klitschko quit on his stool with a badly torn rotator cuff, which nobody knew at the time. This was a huge story at the time and a fight that took Klitschko years to live down.
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.
Joshua photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
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Its clear Joshua is a tad gun shy and a few of the top guys would beat this Joshua.