Episodes

  • Dalton Smith KOs Matias + Agit Kabayel Gets Heavyweight TKO Too + Fight News | Fight Freaks Unite

    Dalton Smith KOs Matias + Agit Kabayel Gets Heavyweight TKO Too + Fight News | Fight Freaks Unite
    Jan 12 2026
    Two exciting KOs in main events in both Germany and Brooklyn, NY headline our latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back with their insight and analysis.

    First, they recap Saturday’s Fresh Productions PPV main event from Brooklyn, New York
    Dalton Smith TKO5 Subriel Matias, wins WBC junior welterweight title in a wild, short fight. The boys go over the stoppage and what does it mean short term for Smith?

    Then, a recap of Saturday’s Queensberry DAZN fights from Oberhausen, Germany
    Agit Kabayel stops Damian Knyba in three rounds for Kabayel’s WBC interim heavyweight title. Tremendous atmosphere and Kabayel delivers another KO. Now what for him? Also, earlier on the card Jadier Herrera TKO8 Ricardo Nunez, and wins the vacant WBC interim lightweight title. Big things ahead for the Cuban, Herrera?

    Also, the guys have a brief recap of Tapia Promotions event on Friday night in Albuquerque, NM
    Two of the late Hall of Fame three-division champion Johnny Tapia’s sons won their professional debuts, junior middleweight Johnny Tapia Jr. and super middleweight Nicco Tapia. Dan has more.

    Then, some news
    The Vergil Ortiz-Jaron Ennis disastrous negotiations are more sorted than a week of "Days of Our Lives." Dan goes over the obstacles with $$ for Oscar De La Hoya and his fighter Ortiz at the crux of it.

    Next, Dana White in an interview with Stephen A. Smith announced the Zuffa Boxing main event for its first Paramount+ card on January 23. It's an underwhelming junior middleweight Callum Walsh vs. former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo

    Per Dan;s reporting, unified cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will forgo a tune-up fight and go straight to the massive financial bout May 2nd with David Benavidez

    And, the IBF denies Lewis Crocker's request for an optional welterweight title fight, and they will order a Liam Paro mandatory fight instead. Dan explains.

    It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    59 mins
  • Heavyweight Agit Kabayel In Action + Subriel Matias Defends vs Dalton Smith And More | BFW Preview Podcast

    Heavyweight Agit Kabayel In Action + Subriel Matias Defends vs Dalton Smith And More | BFW Preview Podcast
    Jan 9 2026
    We're back with our first preview show of 2026 with a heavyweight main event in Germany and a world junior welterweight title fight in Brooklyn, NY to discuss on the "BFW Preview Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter

    They begin with a Preview of the Saturday Queensberry/DAZN card from Oberhausen, Germany
    Agit Kabayel vs. Damian Knyba, 12 rounds, for Kabayel’s WBC interim heavyweight title. Kabayel is little known in the U.S. but can position himself for a serious payday and possible world title fight with a win. Plus, Jadier Herrera vs. Ricardo Nunez, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC interim lightweight title. Dan hss more on Herrera's potential.


    Then, they talk Saturday's Fresh Productions PPV card from Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY (yes we've not heard of them either)

    Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith, 12 rounds, for Matias’ WBC junior welterweight title. Will the hard hitting Matias get the best of the unbeaten Brit?

    And, some news
    Dan is reporting on lineal/unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s and his plans to return in April following back surgery in August. Plus, whom is he looking at fighting?

    Next WBA junior lightweight titlist James "Jazza" Dickens, whose defense on the Night of the Samurai card last month was canceled last minute due to opponent injury, will make his first defense against former IBF titlist Anthony Cacace on March 14 (DAZN). This fight is on St. Patrick’s Day weekend — at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, Queensberry Promotions announced the show.

    Also, Canelo Alvarez and now, Jaime Munguia have both turned positions to fight Osleys Iglesias for the vacant IBF super middleweight title. Who will Iglesias end up fightiing?

    And, Tuesday’s IBF final heavyweight eliminator purse bid for the fight between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. postponed because they are close to a deal for the fight to likely land on a February or March on a PBC PPV card. Dan has more.

    It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    37 mins
  • Amanda Serrano Defends Featherweight Titles, Anthony Joshua Survives Fatal Car Crash And More | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Amanda Serrano Defends Featherweight Titles, Anthony Joshua Survives Fatal Car Crash And More | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Jan 5 2026
    It's a brand new year in 2026 and for the first time, our guys are back to recap the weekend action in Puerto Rico and have some fight nrews too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to give their takes.

    First a recap of the Saturday MVP DAZN bouts in San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Featherweight Amanda Serrano W10 Reina Tellez, retains WBO/WBA women’s title. What's next for one of the women's all time greats?

    Plus, lightweight Stephanie Han scores tech dec after 7 rounds over Holly Holm and retains WBA women’s title. Could she be a Serrano opponent?

    And, flyweight Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez surprises with a 12 round win over Yankiel Rivera and wins vacant WBA interim title.

    Also, a recap of the December 31st Shisei Promotions main event in Tokyo

    Kazuto Ioka, who was making his bantamweight debut, put himself in position to win a world title in a fifth weight division when he knocked out Maikel Ordosgoitti in the fourth round of a WBA title eliminator. Dan loves him some Japanese boxing and has more!

    News

    Anthony Joshua injured in a car accident in Nigeria on Monday that killed two of his close friends and members of his training team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua released from the hospital on Wednesday. Boxing is a distant priority, but does this mean Joshua might not be in the ring for a longer amount of time?

    Related- To zero surprise, Tyson Fury posted on Instagram that he is coming out of the retirement. ABSOLUTE SHOCKER! Dand and TJ discuss.

    Next, Matchroom announced it has signed WBO bantamweight titlist Christian Medina and that he will make his first defense at home in Guadalajara on Feb. 6 (DAZN) vs. countryman Adrian Curiel, 26, a former IBF junior flyweight titlist.

    Due to illness, welterweight contender Paddy Donovan has withdrawn from an IBF final eliminator against former junior welterweight titlist Liam Paro scheduled for Jan. 16. No Limit said Paro would remain on the card if a suitable replacement can be found. The winner would have become the mandatory challenger for IBF titlist Lewis Crocker.

    Jake Paul is dropped from new WBA cruiserweight rankings.... that he should have never been ranked in. We have more. Also, Terence Crawford officially vacated the WBA super middleweight title, the last one, and WBA has elevated interim titlist Armando Resendiz.

    In the IBF it invited No. 1 contender Osleys Iglesias and former champion Canelo Alvarez to fight for the vacant title. Canelo not taking it as he is still sidelined after elbow surgery. Next up to accept the position will be Jamie Mungia. Stay tuned.

    It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    50 mins
  • Fight of Year For 2025 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Fight of Year For 2025 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Dec 31 2025
    It's a great debate on what the "Fight of the Year" for 2025 should be and why? And, we're ready to have that debate on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcsat!"

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafel of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack are back to go over what they think were the best battles in the boxing ring for this year.

    They discuss:

    Honorable Mentions first-

    Pitbull Cruz vs. Angel Fierro in an all action battle

    Brits Callum Smith-Joshua Buatsi tangle for a light heavyweight great fight

    Christian Mbilli-Lester Martinez slugged it out on the Canelo-Crawford undercard

    Abdullah Mason of the USA against Sam Noakes of England in a toe-to-toe slugfest

    Plus, WBC junior flyweight titlist Carlos Canizales-Panya Pradabsri rematch

    Then, it's a great conversation on what is the fight of 2025??

    Chris Eubank Jr.- Conor Benn 1 in London or

    Kenshiro Teragi - Seigo Akui battle for the unified flyweight belts

    Hear the guys and their takes on these matchups and why they were so good on the "Fight Freaks Unite" podcast feed and find more great content here on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    16 mins
  • Fighter of the Year For 2025 Debate | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Fighter of the Year For 2025 Debate | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Dec 30 2025
    We have come to the end of the calendar year of 2025 and it's time to crank up a debate about which boxer deserves "Figther of the Year" status for work done this year? We're ready to debate on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter are back to go over it?

    In a debate of future hall of famers Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, which resume was better in 2025? And, how much consideration should someone like Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez or Dmitry Bivol be given in the conversation, too?

    Hear the guys go over it and make their selections for Fighter of the Year on this pod! And, make sure that you follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    20 mins
  • Naoya Inoue Wins In Saudi Debut, Nakatani Survives Tough Battle + Fight News | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Naoya Inoue Wins In Saudi Debut, Nakatani Survives Tough Battle + Fight News | Fight Freaks Unite Recap
    Dec 29 2025
    It's the final weekend of 2025 and we're back to recap the prominent world title card of the weekend in Saudi Arabia and give you some other worldwide fight recaps and news too on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!"

    Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of the Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter have their takes.

    First a recap of Saturday’s Ring V: "Night of the Samurai" DAZN PPV card from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Junior featherweight Naoya Inoue scores a one sided unanimous decision over Alan David Picasso, retains undisputed title. Should Inoue have gone harder for the KO? And now....

    He'll fight new junior featherweight Junto Nakatani, who had a tough battle and won close with Sebastian Hernandez in the co-feature. The guys have more on Nakatani struggling at the higher weight and what does it mean for the Inoue battle in the first part of 2026?

    Also, on the card- lightweight Eridson Garcia won a 10 round split decision over Taiga Imanaga, plus,
    junior featherweight Reito Tsutsumi TKO4 Leobardo Quintana.

    The IBF junior bantamweight title fight with champ Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji was canceled after the ceremonial weigh-in, Garcia was ill and hospitalized. Dan has the latest.

    Also, they recap Saturday’s Kameda Promotions main event in Tokoname, Japan
    Flyweight Masamichi Yabuki TKO12 Felix Alvarado, retains IBF title. Impressive win for Yabuki.

    And, a brief recap from Wednesday
    Heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi, 52, the former top contender, who was in the second fight of his return after 26 years (most spent in prison) suffered his first defeat, a 12-round decision to Nigerian countryman Kabiru Towolawi in Lagos, Nigeria.

    And, some news
    Turki Alashikh announces undercard for Ring VI Teofimo-Shakur event on Jan. 31 at MSG
    Keyshawn Davis vs. Jamaine Ortiz, 12 rounds, junior welterweights
    Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Carlos Castro, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC featherweight title
    Carlos Adames vs. Austin “Ammo” Williams, 12 rounds, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title
    Jarrell Miller vs. Kingsley Ibeh, 10 rounds, heavyweights
    Ziyad Almayouf vs. Kevin Castillo, 8 rounds, welterweights

    Next, Dan is reporting on some fighters signed by Zuffa Boxing for its new league that begins in January:
    Former WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose Valenzuela
    Former WBA “regular” welterweight titlist Radzhab Butaev, junior lightweight Justin Viloria and lightweight Eridson Garcia
    And, finally Matchroom Boxing's announcement of some more undercard bouts on the Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2 show Feb. 21 in Nottingham, England
    Sandy Ryan vs. Karla Zamora, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women’s junior welterweight title
    David Allen vs. TBA, 10 rounds, heavyweights
    Tiah Mai Ayton vs. TBA, 8 rounds, female bantamweights
    Junaid Bostan vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweights

    We have it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure for all the great content on this feed to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    49 mins
  • Naoya Inoue Returns in "Night of Samurai" Card in Saudi Arabia + Fight News! | BFW Preview Podcast

    Naoya Inoue Returns in "Night of Samurai" Card in Saudi Arabia + Fight News! | BFW Preview Podcast
    Dec 26 2025
    We are back off the Christmas holiday with a new show as the Riyadh Season card "Ring V- Night of the Samurai" takes place Saturday in Saudi Arabia. We've got the preview and fight news on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast!

    Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael for the full breakdown.

    The begin with the Preview of the Night of the Samurai” card on Saturday (DAZN PPV, 4 a.m. ET) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Naoya "the Monster" Inoue vs. Alan David Picasso, 12 rounds, for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight titles. It's the fourth time in the ring this year for Inoue and will he deliver the big KO to puncuate his 2025?

    In the co-feature, Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, 12 rounds, junior featherweight battle. Is Nakatani next for the Monster?

    And, also, Willibaldo Garcia vs. Kenshiro Teraji, 12 rounds, for Garcia’s IBF junior bantamweight title


    Then, some fight news
    Netflix announced the numbers for Jake-Joshua event, including “an estimated average minute audience of 33 million” globally from opening to closing bell. That's another huge number, but what about it relative to Canelo-Crawford, much less, Paul-Tyson in 2024 both on Netflix also?

    Then, In wake of Terence Crawford’s retirement and vacating the WBO super middleweight title, the WBO has ordered Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz, the leading available contenders, to meet for the vacant title

    Also, Crawford has now formally vacated the IBF title, per IBF announcement. WBA vacating at 168 lb. is imminent

    Matchroom Boxing has announced the undercard for its January 24 DAZN card in Las Vegas topped by IBF lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla’s mandatory defense against Andy Cruz. Co-feature will be the return of former WBA junior middleweight titlist Israil Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar in a 10-round middleweight bout. Dan has more.

    Per Dan's reporting, IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo’s second defense against South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in the ProBox TV headliner is postponed. Is it injury or scheduling?

    Also, per Dan's reporting, the overdue fight between WBA junior welterweight titlist Gary Antuanne Russell and mandatory challenger and fellow southpaw Andy Hiraoka is being lined up for the pay-per-view undercard of WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios’ defense against Ryan Garcia on Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.

    We have it all for you headed into the final weekend of the year on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.
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    41 mins
  • Junto Nakatani Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Junto Nakatani Conversation With Dan Rafael | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast
    Dec 23 2025
    Coming up Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, it's the "Night of the Samurai" card from Riyadh season feturing a series of fights with Japanese stars and the card is headlined by undisputed junior featherweight champ Naoya "The Monster" Inoue back defending his titles in the main event.

    However, the second biggest name is former three division world champ himself, Junto Nakatani, Inoue's new potential rival, fighting a non-title, tune up at 122 lb. And, the beileft is that Nakatani will be meeting Inoue in the Tokyo Dome coming in a massive all Japan showdown in 2026.

    So, with all that in mind, our insider Dan Rafael went to work and scored a one on one conversation with Nakatani prior to him leaving for Saudi Arabia, to talk moving up in weight and possibly fighting Inoue, etc.?

    Hear the conversation now, as Dan talks to Nakatani through the interpreter on a special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
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    10 mins