Episodes

  • WHO WINS OLEKSANDR USYK VS TYSON FURY 2 AND WHO COMES NEXT?
    Dec 18 2024

    Once again, the two best big men in the world will fight to decide the king of the heavyweight division. Can Oleksandr Usyk do it again and retain the heavyweight championship or will Tyson Fury remain perfect in rematches and regain the throne?

    Our hosts, British boxing broadcaster and analyst Darren Rees and American boxing writer David Greisman, give their predictions and also dig deep into what awaits the heavyweight division in 2025 and beyond.

    Among those potential names: Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel, Moses Itauma, Fabio Wardley, Lenier and Dainier Pero, Lawrence Okolie, Bakhodir Jalolov, Mourad Aliev and Richard Torrez Jr. And could some older fighters also factor in, including faded former titleholders Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder?

    We also discuss last weekend’s results, including Bruno Surace’s huge upset of Jaime Munguia, plus more boxing headlines.

    Follow Darren @DarrenRees_ David @FightingWords2 and the show @UnitedBoxingPod

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • TANK TALKS: We interview Gervonta Davis about therapy and retirement; plus more big boxing news
    Dec 10 2024

    Gervonta "Tank" Davis made headlines last week for announcing that he plans to step away from the sport after 2025 in order to focus on therapy and his mental health. Our co-host David Greisman spoke with Davis after the announcement to understand more about what prompted the fighter to realize that he needed help, and why he feels he can't do boxing and therapy at the same time.

    In this week's episode, David and co-host Darren Rees also cover tons of other major boxing news, including the highly controversial induction of Vinny Pazienza into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the long-standing problems with how IBHOF voting is done.

    David and Darren also discuss whether Joe Joyce is punch-drink and should still be fighting; Israil Madrimov pulling out of the Serhii Bohachuk fight; Denzel Bentley beating Brad Pauls and earning another shot at middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly; Lawrence Okolie's heavyweight debut; wins by Sam and Sean Noakes; Richardson Hitchins dethroning Liam Paro for the junior welterweight title; and the rematch wins for Emanuel Navarrete (over Oscar Valdez) and Rafael Espinoza (in a bizarre win over Robeisy Ramirez).

    All that, plus we preview this weekend's big fights, and we spotlight our Fighters of the Week.

    United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • BETERBIEV-BIVOL REMATCH LEADS HUGE SEVEN-FIGHT SHOW, RIP ISRAEL VAZQUEZ, AND MORE BIG BOXING NEWS
    Dec 4 2024

    We had a wholly different episode planned for you. But when big news breaks that interests boxing fans on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, there are few better to break it all down than American fight writer David Greisman and British broadcaster and analyst Darren Rees.

    Right before we sat down to record, the seven-fight February 22 extravaganza was announced with the rematch between undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in the main event, supported by six more matches that could themselves be headliners on their own shows: Daniel Dubois defending his heavyweight title against Joseph Parker, Vergil Ortiz vs. Israil Madrimov in a battle of 154-pound contenders, Carlos Adames defending his middleweight title against rising contender Hamzah Sheeraz, a clash between heavyweights Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayal, Shakur Stevenson defending his lightweight world title against prospect Floyd Schofield, and a crossroads fight at light heavyweight between Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith.

    We also pay tribute to Israel Vazquez, the great warrior who sadly passed away this week at the age of 46. Plus we cover Galal Yafai's win over Sunny Edwards and what's next for both, the controversial scores for Gavin Gwynne vs. Cameron Vuong, Jaron "Boots" Ennis, Conor Benn, Josh Taylor potentially going to Matchroom, and Adam Azim vs. Sergey Lipinets.

    Oh, and we preview this weekend's upcoming action, including two title fight rematches — Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez and Rafael Espinoza vs. Robeisy Ramirez — and a match between Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley that will land the winner in a middleweight title fight.

    United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

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    55 mins
  • PREVIEW: SUNNY EDWARDS AND GALAL YAFAI TO SETTLE LENGTHY RIVALRY IN THE RING
    Nov 26 2024

    There is a long history between Sunny Edwards, Galal Yafai and their families. Their brothers, Charlie Edwards and Khalid Yafai, were rivals who sparred tons of rounds but never collided in a professional fight. Edwards and Yafai fought years ago in the amateurs and now are meeting again in the paid ranks with a future flyweight title shot — and their futures in general — on the line.

    In this week's episode of the United Boxing Podcast, we preview Edwards vs. Yafai through the eyes and insights of British broadcaster and analyst Darren Rees and American boxing writer David Greisman.

    We're also joined by Andy Clarke, the boxing commentator and scribe who gives his thoughts about Edwards vs. Yafai, talks about his excellent new book called "The Knockout: Sport's Most Decisive Moment," and much more.

    Darren and David also cover the latest headlines from the U.K. and U.S., including a fight being ordered between junior welterweight contenders Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza; former lightweight champ George Kambosos Jr. signing with Matchroom Boxing and Lou DiBella and moving up to 140; Eddie Hearn promising former super middleweight titleholder Callum Smith a big fight; a heavyweight fight between Derek Chisora and Jarrell Miller and whether Chisora should even be fighting anymore; and Skye Nicolson's continued desire to face Amanda Serrano and whether Nicolson stands a chance.

    All of that, plus our fighters of the week: Andreas Katzourakis and Gavin Gwynne.

    United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

    Andy Clarke: The Knockout
    https://amzn.eu/d/0jDxXP5

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • MIKE TYSON VS. JAKE PAUL STANK WHILE KATIE TAYLOR-AMANDA SERRANO 2 AMAZED
    Nov 19 2024

    More people worldwide watched Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul than had watched any boxing match in a long, long time. Unfortunately, those who tuned in to Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul hoping to see the Tyson of old instead got what they should've expected — an old Tyson.

    Thankfully, those who watched also saw an amazing fight on the undercard, with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano once again going to war.

    In this week's episode of the United Boxing podcast, British boxing broadcaster and analyst Darren Rees joins up with American boxing writer David Greisman to break down why Tyson vs. Paul was so bad, why Taylor vs. Serrano was so good, and what happens next for the four fighters. They are also joined by highly respected boxing writer Kieran Mulvaney of BoxingScene, who was there ringside for the event.

    Darren and David also discuss Gilberto Ramirez's cruiserweight title unification win over Chris Billam-Smith, William Zepeda struggling in a win over Tevin Farmer, Oscar Collazo impressing in a minimumweight unification bout with Knockout CP Freshmart, and upcoming fights such as David Benavidez vs. David Morrell, Harlem Eubank vs. Nurali Erdogan, Sunny Edwards vs. Gal Yafai, and the returns of Natasha Jonas and Dillian Whyte.

    United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • MIKE TYSON VS. JAKE PAUL, CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH VS. GILBERTO RAMIREZ, KATIE TAYLOR-AMANDA SERRANO REMATCH
    Nov 12 2024

    Boxing can be a three-ring circus. This week in particular is proof. Thank goodness we've got a pair of ringmasters — American boxing writer David Greisman and British boxing broadcaster and analyst Darren Rees — to help make sense of it.

    In this week's episode, David and Darren talk about how Mike Tyson is returning to boxing after decades away. At 58 years old, the former heavyweight champion will face social media influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul at a stadium in Texas. We also cover the big rematch on their undercard featuring Katie Taylor defending the undisputed junior welterweight championship against Amanda Serrano.

    We'll also preview the big show in Riyadh headlined by Chris Billam-Smith in a cruiserweight unification bout with Gilberto Ramirez. Billam-Smith also joined us for an interview to discuss this fight and what challenges he wants next if he comes out victorious. On the undercard of Billam-Smith vs. Ramirez is another unification bout between 105-pound titleholders Oscar Collazo and Knockout CP Freshmart, a lightweight fight between William Zepeda and Tevin Farmer, and a clash between Jose Ramirez and Arnold Barboza that could land the winner a shot at a junior welterweight title.

    Plus we recap the big results from last week, with Keyshawn Davis knocking out Gustavo Lemos, Abdullah Mason and Yohan Vasquez trading four knockdowns in five minutes, Jaron "Boots" Ennis struggling a bit in his rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian, and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez leaving us in awe once again with his obliteration of Pedro Guevara.

    All that, and we talk Josh Taylor leaving Top Rank, Turki Alalshikh purchasing The Ring magazine, and our Fighters of the Week.

    United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Boots, Bam and Benn: Breaking Down This Week's Fights and Headlines
    Nov 8 2024

    One of the best welterweights in the world (Jaron "Boots" Ennis) shares a show this week with one of the best fighters in the world, 115-pound champion Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez. Ennis has a rematch with Karen Chukhazhian while Rodriguez defends against contender Pedro Guevara.

    Co-host David Greisman discusses those fights, as well as the fight between lightweight contenders Keyshawn Davis and Gustavo Lemos, with this week's guest, with his fellow American boxing writer Adam Abramowitz of Saturday Night Boxing.

    And co-host Darren Rees has returned home to the United Kingdom from a trip to the United States, where he worked as a broadcaster for the under-19 boxing world championships. Darren delves into the experience and then discusses some of the big boxing news in the U.K., including a ruling that will allow Conor Benn to fight again after his suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, as well as Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions bringing his impressive stable of fighters to DAZN.

    Plus we talk our fighters of the week: Leo Atang and Gabriela Fundora.

    When we're not flying across the globe, United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

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    39 mins
  • Special Guest Mike Costello Joins Us to Talk Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis and All Things Boxing
    Oct 22 2024

    Our special guest this week is Mike Costello, the legendary British boxing broadcaster who worked for BBC for 45 years and now calls the fights for DAZN.

    The conversation was both engaging and wide-ranging, which is no surprise when you bring the likes of Costello and British boxing commentator Darren Rees together. Among the topics they discussed were two big junior welterweight fights in the U.K. Jack Catterall, once robbed of the championship at 140 pounds, still wants to rule the division and will face Regis Prograis this Saturday at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. And Adam Azim, a junior welterweight prospect himself, just scored his biggest win with a victory in a crossroads bout over his longtime friend, Ohara Davies, at the Copper Box Arena in London.

    Costello and Rees also talked about boxing being in a special period, the heavyweight division, and Mike's special nights behind a microphone.

    Also in this episode, Darren brings us up to date on other U.K. boxing news, including Sam Gilley winning at York Hall against Jack McGann and Dan Azeez losing a close decision against
    Lewis Edmondson.

    And on the U.S. side, American boxing writer David Greisman examines Bakhram Murtazaliev's sensational three-round TKO of Tim Tszyu to defend his junior middleweight world title, and all the opportunities now available for Murtazaliev at 154. That, plus other boxing news in the States such as Chris Colbert's loss to Omar Salcido, Miyo Yoshida's bantamweight title fight against Shurretta Metcalf, and what's going on with undisputed champions Artur Beterbiev and Naoye Inoue and their mandatory challengers.

    United Boxing Podcast comes out every Tuesday. Follow Darren @DarrenRees_, David @FightingWords2, and the show itself on X at @UnitedBoxingPod

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    1 hr and 3 mins