The Ariel Helwani Show - Ariel x Ade, episode 20: Deontay Wilder breaks silence; Ngannou fight still possible? 'Future Face of British Boxing' Pat Brown joins as well

Episode Date: April 1, 2025

Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo kick off a stacked show by reacting to the official launch of Queensberry Promotions on DAZN (02:06) and previewing the upcoming heavyweight scrap between Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic (10:14).Pat Brown joins the show on the heels of his spectacular pro debut (13:35) and discusses whether he's ready to carry the mantle as the face of British boxing.Then, Deontay Wilder breaks his silence (32:58), discussing his comeback, whether a Francis Ngannou fight is still in the cards, and who remains on his hit list.After the duo reacts to Wilder's words (1:03:30), they recap wins by Mikaela Mayer (1:04:46) and William Zepeda (1:08:50) over the weekend, before delivering the Parting Shot (1:12:49). 

Hello and welcome to a brand new edition of Ariel Nade right here on the Global Home of Boxing, dare I say the undisputed Global Home of Boxing, The Zone. It is great to be here on a lovely Tuesday afternoon in New York City and this time around my friends we ain't flying solo. No, no, my co-pilot is back. My co-host is back from his séjourn to parts unknown. It was a week-long birthday bash. It's 44-year-olds and six-year-olds

who have week-long birthday bashes. There he is, the one and only. Doesn't look a day over, I don't know, 34. 34, you look fantastic. We were singing your praises. Thank you. How was your time off? You know what? It was good.

It was really good. I was gutted not to be doing the show. I felt bad for you, but I mean, you do this. You can do this in your sleep. Oh, yeah. I mean, this is the Ariel show plus Addy. You don't even need me sometimes. You don't need me sometimes, but you know, it's good to be back. can do this in your sleep. Oh yeah. I mean, this is the aerial show plus Adi. You don't even need me sometimes. They don't need me sometimes, but you know,

it's good to be back. Uh, the show's nothing without me. Right. And I'm back now, but no, it was nice. I don't normally take a break for my birthday. I normally just continue like the world continues moving, but I thought, you know what, we're going to press pause. Yeah. We're going to go to Dubai. We're going to chill out. We're going to stay in an expensive hotel. We're going to drink expensive champagne. We're going to eat expensive food. And we're going to come back and count the pennies.

I love it. Well, you deserve it. And we were very lonely without you. I was feeling a little bit worried, uncomfortable, trepidatious. But Darren Barker filled in very, very well. And then we had a lovely chat with Jim Lampley. I mean, Jim Lampley was tremendous.

The tears were flowing. So it was great to have him on, but it is even better to have you back here and now at a, and we have a lot to discuss. A lot has happened since we last spoke, very busy weekend that has come and gone in the world of boxing and a lot more to come this weekend.

And it's a very exciting time. You know, a lot of people not sure what to believe today are, you know, April 1st, who's lying, who's telling the truth, who's, you know, I don't like that type of thing. You know, I'm done with it. I'm done with it. I feel like people come to us, they come to us

for the truth, for the facts, you know, you can't, you can't abuse that. You can't take that for granted. And so this is a very big deal. This is a very big deal today. April 1st marks the dawn of a new era right here at the zone. It's the start of the Queensbury era and

everyone's very excited about that. We shall be talking about that today on the program in a bit, in about 15 minutes time. We'll be talking to Pat Brown, the Olympian Turn Pro who had a fantastic, dare I say, sensational debut this past Friday in Manchester at the Matchroom Next Gen card. And then a little after that,

a guy who likes to go by the name, the bronze bomber, Deontre Wilder, the big man himself stopping by. Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon. That's crazy. Honestly, that's crazy. Like I'll let people at home give a bit of insight to this. Ariel kind of put this in the group chat, like, okay, D'Ante Wilder's coming. I was like, stop. I was like, Ariel, stop it. We ain't getting the bronze bomber, but we are. We are getting the bronze bomber. I can't believe it. Obviously, they announced

these returns to the ring in June. I've got a few questions for the big man. I've got a few serious questions for the big man. As do I. And we'll react to his return and everything after we get a chance to speak to him. Let's hear from him because yes, the news did come out that he is returning to the ring in June,

but he hasn't spoke about it yet. So let's hear him out and then react to it all. Back to Queensbury. In case you missed it, new era, Queensbury joining Dazon. And there's a lot of big things coming, a lot of big plans. Of course, this weekend, we've got Joe Joyce

against Filip Herkovich, a big time card. But first take a quick look at this. This is what's to come right here on Dazon. This is the moment the world has been waiting for. what's to come right here on Dizone. In the biggest night. Home. Champion. Home of knockouts. There's no way back from this! The home of the future. And this is it! The global home of boxing.

Queensborough. Exclusively on The Zone. There it is. Adé, if you're a long time fan of the sport, you remember Mr. Frank Warren saying, what is it? Dead Zone app, this and that. So to hear him say it like that is amazing. And there's the first card right there. This Saturday at the Co-op Live, the brand spanking new Co-op Live headline by Joe Joyce

versus Filip Herkovich. We'll get into that one in a moment. But I do believe you had an interesting lunch date earlier today. I did, I did. You know, I was invited by Frank Warren and his team to come down and, you know, break bread, as they say, right?

Yeah, in a swanky restaurant in central London, a restaurant I would never go to because I can't afford to go to. And he asked me to come down and sit next to him. I would never go to because I can't afford to go to. And he asked me to come down and sit next to him. I sat right next to the big man. I made a nice little chat about what he wants from me and you know, how excited he is to kind of go ahead with this deal on the zone.

I hear it's a five year contract, plenty of fights, plenty of fighters. I felt like he kind of quizzed me. He was like, Andy, come on, name your favorite fighters on Queensbury. And I was like, is this a trick question? Do you know who I am? I'm Addy Oladipo. I can name a hundred. And I gave him my top three. But look, it's exciting times. It is exciting times. Frank seems to be rejuvenated if you like. Obviously look, him and Eddie are friends-ish, I say, but he wants to be the top dog on the zone. And that's not just going ahead trying to take on Eddie that's taken on Golden Boy, that's not just going ahead trying to take on Eddie

that's taken on Golden Boy that's taken on everyone that's got Dazon contract. So it's a good time for boxing fans. If you are a Dazon subscriber, you know that means you're getting big fights every single week now. So in terms of value for money, I mean, you can't complain. I mean, let's be honest, I know boxing fans like to complain, but you can't really complain with what's coming your way on the zone in the next sort of few years. It's going to be good. It's exciting. Even exciting for me. I get to present this show on the weekend. I've never presented a Queensbury show before.

That's fun. They are. They are the longest shows on planet earth, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. I'm not asking for more money. I'm just excited to work. I'm excited to work. Well, you know what I like about this and we're not trying to, to, to shill here for our employers. We're not like, no one asked us to even start the show about this, and we're not trying to shill here for our employers, no one asked us to even start the show with this to be honest, but I do feel like it's significant because I feel like competition always lights a fire under the rest, right? Rising tide lifts all boats, all that stuff and more.

And so I do believe while we see Eddie and Frank being friends and holding hands and all that stuff and more, I do believe now it's like, all right, we wanna be the top dogs. And I believe we've seen some of that between Matchroom and Golden Boy. Obviously there's Misfits and there's MVP, but they kind of, they occupy different lanes.

And so now I feel like, okay, there's a new player. I wanna see if the others raise their game. And also by the way, and we haven't talked about your lunch, so I'm putting you on the spot here, but I do wonder well, Queensbury start You know, there was a time like six or so years ago where I think Frank said like let's focus on the UK, right? Let's just do everything here and unlike matchroom who we've seen in in the likes of Mexico America Australia all over the world. He's really stuck to the UK

Does he have plans to go back outside to expand once again? I can't tell you exactly where he's going, but I will confirm he's got an international, baby. All right. He's going international. He really wants to compete with Matrim. It isn't a case of, okay, let's dominate the UK market. They're doing a good job with the UK market, but they want to go and see what they can do in different territories around the world. And they've got fighters that are from these territories. So I feel like they're thinking, okay, we can expand now. And I think they needed a broadcast like the zone

that obviously can go worldwide to do it. So yeah, they are definitely going international and I think sooner rather than later. Don't be surprised if you hear something about them going international in the summer. Oh, wow. That's all I can say. Okay, I like that.

Nice little tease. For those that may be a little unfamiliar with Queensberry, perhaps they're just zone watchers and I know some Queensberry guys have fought over the last year and a half in large part because of the reed season cards, but who would you say, like who's the number one draft pick? I think I know who you're going to say, but I just want to confirm.

You know, I was just about to say it, and I've changed my mind. Oh wow. Cause you knew who I was gonna say. I think. I know you knew who you're going to say, but I just want to confirm. You know, I was just about to say it, and I've changed my mind. Oh, wow! Because you knew who I was going to say. I think- I know you knew who I was going to say. You knew I was going to say Moses de Tama. Yeah, yeah.

You've changed your mind. Yeah, and I feel like, you know, everyone says Moses, so I'm going to be a bit different. I still think Hamza Shira has a lot to offer. Coming off a loss. I honestly believe that. Coming off a loss, yeah, but a loss in a world title fight, there's no shame in that. Yeah. I mean, Moses has got to get to that world title stage first, right?

I mean, Daniel Dubois, world champion, Nick Ball, world champion, Lawrence Okoli, former world champion at both Cruiserweight and Bridgeweight. And there's a man I think will lace up the gloves again that wasn't in your little piece there called Tyson Fury. Do I believe he's really retired? No, I don't. I believe he's waiting for a big fight against Anthony Joshua. So they've got so many fantastic fighters.

Honestly, it's an incredible stable. Josh Taylor, Lee Wood, Anthony Kakatchee. I mean, the list goes on. It's actually really thick. When he was reading off the names to me today, I was like, wow, I forgot you had him. So no, they've got a lot of fighters. I mean, they pretty much run the heavyweight division.

I mean, if we're being brutally honest, they've got Joseph Parker, they've got Daniel Dubois, they've got Cabell, Lawrence Okoli, got Dillian White, Joe Joyce. So heavyweights is theirs. I think they just want a bit of everything now. But I think the best thing to come out of this is Eddie and Frank now work together.

They're both under the same umbrella. There should be no excuses now and no hurdles about making their fighters fight each other. Yep, amen. And by the way, just before everyone comes for us, I know the sheriff's fight ended in a draw against Saddam Hussein, but like I think we all kind of view it. Oh yeah, of course. We all kind of view it as a loss, so that's why I said that. You know, one name that I

don't think you mentioned there, you rifled off a ton, is Joe Joyce. And there was a time not that long ago where people thought he would be the next great heavyweight coming out of the UK. And he was climbing through the ranks and he had big wins over the likes of Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois and then here he is, you know, loser of three of his last four and it feels like not that long ago after the two lost to Gilles Jan, people were saying this is it, he's done. This feels like, okay, new opportunity, new network, fresh coat of paint, here's Herkovich, okay, you could get a win over a guy

who maybe is in a bit of a rough spot as well. As of late coming off the loss to Dubois, do you feel like Joe could turn it back? I know he's 39, but let's not forget there was once a point not that long ago where we thought that Joseph Parker was done and look at what he's doing. Look at how hot he is in the year 2025.

Does Joe have that in him to be a player once again in the heavyweight division? I don't want to say never because I think we have seen some Fantastic U-turns in the sport of boxing in the last 12 months, right? You mentioned Joseph Parker massive U-turn Daniel Dubois massive U-turn as well My my fear for Joe is that he's a lot older than both of those guys. He's 39 years of age That that fights all those fights against GD Zhang took a lot out of him, as did the Chisora one. This for me is do or die.

And there's the risk reward here. The risk against fighting Hergivic is a big one. The reward if you beat Hergivic is enormous. You're back, you're basically back. I don't know, I think that's a tough ask. Filip Hergivic, I almost feel like his stock has gone down in the Dubois fight, but it's also gone up because of what Dubois has done after that fight. So I think Philip Hergivic has almost been in the lab since then, just

getting ready for an opportunity. Here comes a big opportunity. And I make Philip Hergivic a big favourite in this fight because I just wonder about the punch resistance with Joe Joyce. I hope I'm wrong because Joe's a great guy. I've spoken to many a time, but I do wonder when the egg has been cracked, can the egg be fixed again? I know that's a crap analogy, but you know what I mean? Yeah. And he always had this punch resistance where he could walk through walls. All of a sudden, that punch resistance doesn't look like it's quite there. So it'd be interesting to see what happens when he gets hit by Hergivic because he will. Um, And let's see if Joe can still be the juggernaut. I'm not sure. I hope I'm wrong,

but I'm not sure. Yeah, I wasn't ready to write him off. But then after the loss to Chisora, I thought, oh, this, you know, we might be at that point. I didn't think he was going to walk away. So I'm not surprised to see him back. But this isn't a gimme fight. This isn't a, you know, let me work myself back in there. This is a guy who you know Hergovich who not that long ago was fighting in a final eliminator for the IBF title like he was right there I think this is a harder fight than Dillian White I agree I agree this is harder and like credit to Joe for saying no look I'll take it I'll stay on the card I'll make sure the show goes ahead many fighters would have said okay one

second no no we're not doing this I didn't sign up for sign up for this because Dylan whites on his own comeback trail as well. And I know you mentioned that Hergivic has sort of hit a bit of a bump. It's still only one bump. Yeah. Uh, he didn't get stopped per se by Daniel Dubois. It kind of got stopped on cuts as opposed to him getting knocked out or anything. So Hergivic is still very, very live. Whereas Dylan White was trying to climb back to being a top boxer. So credit to Joe for taking it, but I don't know, man. I don't know. I'd be shocked if Joe wins this one.

Okay. So that's this coming weekend in Manchester. Let's go back to this past Friday in Manchester. Next Gen card, matchroom, the much anticipated debut of Pat Brown, the Olympian Turn Pro, headlining in his debut. And let's be honest, I'll be the first to say, we kind of, you know, we kind of stuck it to our friends at matchroom and said like, you guys, you made a whole big stink about a guy who didn't even medal at the Olympics.

Can I take it back? Because I don't want Pat Brown is going to become a cruiserweight champion and they're going to play that clip of us being like, hey guys, I think you, like, can you chill out just a little bit? No, the worst thing about that clip is it's me well your planet cuz it's me I I kind of just I want to take it all back calm down. We just I mean, let's take it all back because I got to be honest I was blown away. I was blown away by his ferocity by his punching power by his presence

That guy is a star. I didn't I didn star. I didn't quite get it initially. I got it now after one fight. You were there live. Do you agree with me? Dude, it was like a dog on the leash waiting to be let go. There's been so much talk, as you say, not just from Eddie Hearn, but Sam Jones, as you know, right? The mouthpiece. Sam Jones has been saying things like, this is going to be the next superstar. I'm like, all right, Sam, calm down. The noise in that venue. When he came out, he was like, okay, I'm not here to play.

I'm here to put on a show. And not everyone can do that on their debut. So I don't recommend everyone have a go and do that. But Pat Brown is exciting. I am on the Pat Brown bandwagon. I am the official cheerleader of this man because he's exciting. And we need exciting fighters in this country, right?

All the so-called top dogs are coming to the end. Who are the next breed of exciting fighters? Pat Brown Could lead this charge. Honestly, i'm serious. I mean he's in a division which is red hot in the uk He's 25 so they don't have to rush him like they've done with other olympians. You can almost take your time And as you mentioned he made his debut as the headline act. That doesn't normally happen. You normally get sandwiched in somewhere in a card in a four rounder. He's gone, no bang, straight away headline act. Again, he sold a few thousand tickets. I'm excited about this guy. I really am. All right. So without further ado, let us say hello to Pat Brown, who had a scintillating debut just this past Friday in Manchester.

He was the star of the show and perhaps he was listening to some of that. Pat congratulations, it's Ariel, it's Ade and we have to say blown away by what you did. I'm sure just a few days later you're still on Cloud 9. What a tremendous debut, you probably couldn't have scripted it any better. Yeah, lovely to see you both and thanks for having me on. It was some nights I remember they were marching through the streets of Old Tringham beforehand and it's been a big build up and I'm just happy that it's over and done with now and people can have a little bit of what I bring to the ring. yeah for me following fight now that the pressure

won't be as big because people know what they're expecting and yeah I'm just glad that it's kind of just I've rise to the occasion I've put on a good night for everyone. I'm wondering about that pressure of course you competed at the Olympics you've been in the game for quite some time but here you are making your pro debut as the headliner and you're in Manchester and the whole thing is built around you as Adé said you weren't sandwiched, they weren't just trying to protect you. That spotlight was gigantic and it was right on you. Were you feeling that? Were you feeling the nerves, perhaps different than you felt in the past?

A little bit, yeah and no. So in terms of when I was in the hotel, we had everything there, which was good. So all the press conference, obviously the waiting and the media. So all of that stuff, that was great. But I always get nervous in my room, in the hotel, waiting around. And then it gets to a point where I am a dog in a cage and I can't wait to get in there. And that my mind frame kind of switches and then when I got to the venue, the nerves then turned into excitement and adrenaline

and when I was there then it kind of just zoned in and taking it all in as well which I was grateful for and you know what, most people most fighters they crumble under pressure and they wish they could go back and relive it but I don't wish it can go back because I relived it enough and I soaked it all up. Yep look Pat, to echo what Ariel said I thought it was fantastic honestly I mean as debuts go especially considering the amount of pressure you were under I thought it was almost 10 out of 10. What's it been like from when Matron announced, and it was this big announcement, right? Okay, we're going to announce this superstar. What's it been like

from then until now? All the extra media you've had to do, which I guess you hadn't have done before. You didn't even have a Twitter account, Pat. I remember when Sam Jones set up the Twitter account for you. What's it been like from that point to now? Yeah, it's definitely changed massively. Even in the Olympics, I was obviously quite big of a face. People knew I could fight and stuff, but I wasn't sort of leading the pack in terms of media. I was kind of just in the shadows a little bit.

Whereas now, obviously I've had loads of media and yes, Sam's sort of my Twitter account. I still, you know, I look at it here and there, but I'm not big on social media to be fair, but I know it's part and parcel of the game. And yeah, it's just one of them things. I know if you want to make it to the top of the game, you're going to have a lot of eyes on you.

And this is it. People are going to be talking about you, whether it's good or bad, and you've just got to take it with a pinch of salt and just keep going forward. I speak to a lot of fighters and they always say they never ever forget their debut, right? Not a lot of them had your kind of debut. What was it like when you're coming out and you're doing that ring walk and the crowd is going nuts? I mean, Eddie, Eddie always said that you're going to sell a lot of tickets and your fans are going to be like football fans. But there's one thing Eddie telling us and us actually seeing it. What was it like for you when you're on that stage walking down and the crowds going crazy? Yeah, it was brilliant. I've had it on obviously a smaller scale.

It was brilliant. I've had it on obviously a smaller scale. So I have tasted it a little bit, but yeah, that Friday night was it was unbelievable. My adrenaline just went to that next level and Jamie and Nige were just saying to me, just compose yourself, enjoy the ring walk. But when you get in the ring, that's when you switch it on and you keep your head on the job. And that's what I definitely did. I just, I wanted to just give him a chore performance. I didn't want to, you know, come out the gates like a racing dog. Like most, you know, pro debuts, that's the way they go. And I wanted to kind of come out slow and steady. And to be fair, he kind of stated his presence in the middle of the ring and it actually went faster than I thought. By the way, speaking of that ring walk and speaking of dogs as you mentioned before,

my favorite moment and the moment where I was like, ah, this guy's got it. He's not just some, you know, vanilla Olympian turn pro. He's got that presence. You looked at the camera at one point and you barked at it. I'm like, this guy's a showman right here. I love that sort of thing. Keep that up. That's perfect. Do more of that. I love that sort of thing. Keep that up. That's perfect. Do more of that. I love that sort of thing.

What compelled you in the moment to do that? So, I remember in the Olympics, it was the first time where a camera was following me out. And I had all these big bright lights at me. And I had quite a lot who turned up at Paris as well, so they were chanting. And I just thought, you know, everyone does a little heart.

They look around, they embrace the crowd and I thought I'm going to embrace the camera. People who are watching at home, I'm just going to stare it down and let them feel what my opponent is going to see. And I thought I'd do the same thing. It kind of just came natural. But this time I've actually with all, with all the, you know, the channeling in me adrenaline, I just thought I'll just do a little Flynn and yeah, it kind of just got over me.

But yeah, that'll never leave me that. Do that every time if I can ask for one request. But by the way, can you clear something up for us? You mentioned afterwards, first time putting on 10 ounce gloves. Was it that night? Like you didn't train in there as well No, so I've never put a pair of 10 ounce gloves on I've never punched in a 10 ounce glove

And I always said to myself and the day I do put a 10 ounce glove on will be my pro debut And when I'm in the changing rooms it and then pads I'll feel my fist leaving me body the fastest they've ever left So yeah, I did that and Jamie on the pads, he could tell as well. And because I was training big gloves in the gym because it's kind of like running with weights around your ankle and all of a sudden you take them off on bang, you're faster than ever. So I kind of see that with my, with my hands.

You know, with most Olympians, especially amateurs that have been successful like yourself, there's always this want to fast track them, right? I mean, Eddie's been speaking about the fact that you could go already. English titles potentially, obviously, Sheff Clarke fights with Adele Riley, which I think is a fantastic fight. Do you look at that already? Or is it a case of your team decides where you go? Do you already look at some of those guys above you, Isaac Chamberlain's, if you like, and think, you know what, a couple more fights and I'm ready to go for that? Yeah, I think I don't, in terms of the number of fights, I don't think about that. But in terms of the opponents and looking ahead, yeah, definitely. You've always got to look

at your opponents in the future and keep an eye on them. And you got to study and you got to, you got to see what the big fights are ahead. Cause at the end of the day, it's a business and it's also a stepping stone in the right direction to get a title. So yeah, I look at all these guys, I know I'm gonna fight, I'm gonna fight them in the future.

In terms of the pace that happens, I leave that to Jamie and Eddie to sort out. I'm very much, I'm a fighter, that's my job. Jamie's job is a coach and he'll do his job. And as long as everyone's in the, in the sorted position, I'll get to where I need to get to one step at a time. You mentioned the pressure and it sounds like you can handle that pressure as well. There is a big expectation to kind of build up this Manchester boxing scene. If you like Jamie Oliver always did fantastic numbers in Manchester. They haven't really been a big tickets that are in

Manchester, maybe since Anthony Crawler. They're now expecting you to kind of be that guy to give it that big push again. Do you kind of like that pressure? I know there's a big dream, I guess, to play old Trafford or maybe even the new Trafford future down the line. Who knows? Do you like that pressure as being the guy to kind of put Manchester back on the map? Definitely, yeah. I've always had a big fan base ever since I was a kid. I remember having my first fight as an amateur and my dad, he got loads of people there and put a lot of pressure on me and everyone was expecting me to be this knockout artist and I actually lost my first amateur fight and you know, I've had pressure all the time as a kid, especially with people

expecting me to do massive things. And, um, yeah, if I can fill that void and I can be, you know, marching forward first, and then I can bring the Manchester fighters through behind me, it'll be a great honor and privilege, but I don't want to take, I don't want to take I don't want to I don't want that to come across patronizing you know to the Manchester fighters because you know there's loads of them and they're all very very talented and if any of them can do it before me I take me off to I'm just some you know no nothing yank but I heard you guys say old Trafford I think a soccer or football club. Oh stop your nonsense Ariel. Stop your nonsense.

You happened to catch the game that just ended. I won't bring it up. I won't bring it up Pat. This is about you. I think it was 1-0, but I'm not sure. I wasn't sure about the standing. We won't bring it up. It's okay. City ground has been the tough place for everyone. We won't bring it up. Eddie likes to say that you're the future face of boxing, British boxing, you're the guy, you're gonna be the next AJ, you're gonna be that guy. Do you agree with him? Do you think that you are the next face, the future face of British boxing? I believe I'll be the next face of British boxing. If I didn't believe that, I think something would be wrong. You know, every fighter wants to be the next

face, don't they? Obviously, in terms of being the next AJ, uh, that, that'll be obviously unbelievable, but I want to bring a different sort of character or bring, you know, the old school boxing back, like the Hatting Dades and U-Bank Ben, you know, ferocious and just proper fighting men. I'm not saying you don't get proper fighting men now cause you certainly do, but I feel like boxing has become a little bit of a circus now. You know, loads of swearing, loads of this, loads of that.

Boxing needs to go back to the drawing board, you know. Kids are looking up to you. You need to show showing respect and manners because that's what you learn in the grassroot level gyms and that's gone missing in boxing and I'm here to bring it back. I'm sure you had every promoter in the country wanted level gyms and that's gone missing in boxing and I'm here to bring it back. I'm sure you had every promoter in the country wanted to sign you.

Just curious, why did you pick Matrimon Eddie Hearn? My gut, I just, I kind of just felt like it's a family-run business. And when I was sat there in front of Frank and Eddie, when I laid down on the table what I wanted and they said they could deliver, I was like, okay, well, I'm going to have to just take your word for it. I've seen what they've been like with Tony Bellew. Tony Bellew is massive on loyalty like I am, and they've done a good job with him. Same with AJ, they did a good job with him, Johnny Fisher.

And I just thought, they know, they're really getting behind me here. They've not done that for many fighters since obviously the names I've listed there. And yeah, I just went with my gut. Obviously spoke to a lot of people around me as well and they thought the same thing. And yeah, so far they've delivered with everything they've said and the choices has been right. Some big fight cards coming up for Matrim in the next four or five months. Any chance you jump on one of those? No injuries from your last fight, right? No niggles?

Are you okay to go as soon as possible? Yeah, I'm okay to go as soon as possible. I get back straight in the gym. It's looking like, Eddie mentioned, you know, June time in Birmingham. So we'll see what happens there. And it'll be nice to kind of be on the undercard for it and just experience, you know, and not being the face of the show.

I think you'll still be the face of the show, Pat. I think that's the problem. You'll probably still be the face. It's only headliners from here on out. It's only main event from here on, Pat. Ariel asked about Frank and Frank Smith and Eddie Hearn and why you joined Matrim. Why Sam Jones? We had Sam on a few weeks ago and I think Sam's fantastic. I think he's a great character. I almost feel like he is a promoter in waiting,

but why Sam? Why not other managers? So I had obviously a good few managers message me as well and I feel like with Sam it was more of he's already in the gym, he's with Jack, he's with Cameron, he was part of the furniture a little bit so it was hard to keep away from him anyway and to be fair I just kind of I looked at him and he is like a promoter and I look at all the fighters he's got underneath his belt and they're all active. He manages them correctly. None of them are sort of in the dark out the way and they're not doing good.

Everyone knows his fighters and I just thought don't go off, like people, he's like Marmite isn't he? People like Sam Jones and some people don't, but I go off his results and at the moment, his roster of fighters, like his managers, they're all flying and they're all doing well. He's gonna love that question, he's gonna clip it off.

He's gonna clip it. He's gonna tag us. He told me to ask it, he just sent me a message and asked this question. I knew it, I knew it, because he asked me earlier and I ignored him. I mean, he's gonna tag us, he's gonna clip it off, oh, you just did him a great favor. Don't it, I knew it. Cause he asked me earlier and I ignored him. I mean, he's going to tag us. He's going to clip it off.

Oh, you just did him a great favor. Don't get me wrong though. Don't get me wrong. You have surprised me cause you know, in the world of boxing, you have got to be careful for snakes and people backstabbing you. And at first I was very wary of Sam Jones,

but he is starting to warm up to me. But not too much. I'll always keep him at arm's length and he knows that. Smart, smart. Use that distance, use that reach, that length of yours. I mean I watched the stoppage a bunch of times. Again, the ferocity, the power, the strength. I mean you're a killer out there my man and so we can't wait to watch you grow, see how far this goes. It's gonna be a great story to follow and I think they should have done more to promote your signing I think they

should have been even louder about it so I just well what more could they have done yeah yeah they did a fantastic job the whole team over there at matrim so well deserved well earned congratulations and looking forward to the next one thanks for joining us what I'm Pat thank you very much thanks for having me and I'll see you again soon. Yes, there he is. Pat Brown. I'm excited about him, Adé. I'm excited about him. He's perfect. He speaks well. He could be that guy, isn't he? I feel like Matt Shumai might have got something here. What a signing for them, really. What a signing. Because now, as some of these older guys, you know, the Furies and the AJs of the world, we talked about Joe Joyce, who everyone thought

might be next, are getting up there. Du Bois is still out there, and there's still big names. You need that next generation. And there's Moses as well. But God, I was so impressed by his power. And I'm very interested in seeing how quickly they push him, because I feel like there's a shift that's happening in boxing where guys aren't waiting for their 30th pro fight

to be tested, right? We've seen it with some of the Cubans. We've talked about this, the Andy Cruzes of the world, the David Morales of the world. I wonder how quickly they put, like, does he start to take those fights in his in his 10th? Is he starting to? You know what I mean? I mean, there's so many good Cruiserweights over here. Very good, like, well-known, named Cruiserweights. So they can match him difficult straight away before you even get to World Devil. So they'll find out how good he is just by fighting the guys over here

before they kind of Chris Bill and Smith type. Not maybe not that so quick, but there is Isaac Chamberlain's like the English champion. Again, I mentioned chef Clark and the Del Riley fighting for the British title. It'd be interesting to see how far they think he is away from that. And I guess we'll know by the end of 2025, early 2026. Sam, Sam pushes these fighters. So Sam, it might be Sam that has to calm down a bit with him. I feel like Eddie and Frank might have to take this one and say, okay, Sam, calm down. Let's kind of build him slowly. Because again, he is young and you do need to build him slowly. You don't want to sort of kill off a star before they become a star.

Yeah, I kind of wish that he was fighting on the Tottenham Hotspur card, just because it's going to be such a big audience there and so many eyeballs on boxing in your country, in the UK. But I mean, headlining in your debut. And I think he sold like 2000 tickets or something like that, just on his own. Pretty remarkable stuff.

I don't know how you go back to an undercard slot. Especially, unless the person in front of you is like a superstar, like a real big name. Again, like you bank Ben, then fair enough. Okay. Undercard slot. But if it isn't that, I mean, it's going to be very difficult to push him away from the main event slot and why push him away? Let's just, let's just all get on the hype train until the wheels come off. I, I can't wait to see where this goes. He speaks really well. Good looking kid as off. I can't wait to see where this goes. He speaks really well. Good looking kid as well. I think he kind of ticks all the boxes, but this is

boxing. We'll see. I've seen a lot of good fighters that kind of tick all the boxes and it doesn't quite go there. I hope it's not the case for Pat Brown. Well, one man who has ticked all the boxes throughout his entire career is the legendary bronze bomber himself. The one and only Deontay Wilder who we found out late last week is in fact returning to action on June 27th in a 10 round fight against Tyrell Herndon and he is kind enough to be joining us at it right now what a great honor this is. Bob Squad! The great Deontay Wilder in the house! Wow this is amazing hello Deontay how are you the house. Wow, this is amazing.

Hello Deontay, how are you? Hey, how you guys doing? Can you hear me clearly? Yeah, we can hear you just fine. What are we driving over there, Deontay? You're looking like a king. You're looking like a boss out there. I'm trying to set it up so it's no surprise.

It's a beautiful day out here, man. It's a day that we should rejoice and be glad in it. I mean, we've been going through so many different types of weathers the old Rolls Royce. Yes. It's not like it, you know what I mean? It's like a spaceship, like a spaceship on the road. Yes, no, I've heard. We're doing great. And we're very excited to be talking to you. And we were obviously very excited about this news and intrigued by it as well. Can you can you tell us the why? Why are you coming back? Why are you coming back on this date against this opponent with these promoters? Tell us the whole story, because I do believe this is the first time that we're having a chance to hear from you. Yeah, most definitely. Well, you know, the opportunity came about. Well, we've had many opportunities,

but we've had to get a lot of things out of the way, you know, like recovery. Yeah, yeah. Can you guys still hear me? Yeah, we hear you. The video's choppy, but we can still hear you. Okay, sounds good. I'm gonna pull over to the side where I can have

a more steady connection. Okay, but you can keep talking, because we can hear you. Okay, yeah. Yeah, we've been doing many different things. You know, it's just, yeah, girl been we've been doing many different things. You know, just yeah, go. We're just just doing many different things, but just standing shape, most of all. And because we knew we was going to return, we just didn't have a certain type of date to return in because of of all the

injuries that I had and the outside, all the different things outside as well that was going on. So, you know, we wanted to make sure I was just fully healthy, you know, physically, mentally, and emotionally, you know, I had to take a wellness check. So I had to, you know, sit back and get a lot of things together in my life. But that was going on around me.

And you can still get my hands at them. So especially with the shoulder injuries, anyone know about shoulder injury, know that's just turn around. No, that's one of the, babe, just turn around. That's one of the, the, the longest injuries that you can go through. And I ended up injuring my shoulder at one point in time and they healed. And then I ended up having an accident and then falling on the same shoulder. And then I had to start the process over again. So 24 hours, all I had was pain 24 hours. Every time I threw my right hand, it would be night.

But pain, pain, pain. So I had to really deal with it. I have a high tolerance in pain. Yeah, just You know, I gotta have a high tolerance in pain. Yeah, just work over here. I have a high tolerance in pain, so I had to deal with a lot of the different things, but, you know, make a long story short, hey, what are you doing?

What are you doing? You ain't gotta be. Just go. We hear you, Deontay, we're all good. Just dealing with a lot of different things, but make a long story short, man. I'm fully healed with everything. I don't have no more pain at this time, at this point in time, and all my burdens have been cut loose from me.

So you know, I'm free, as I can say. And the mission is still, I still got to unify the division. That's one of the main things that I came in and a goal that I set for. I never had a true opportunity to get that accomplished, you know, due to other circumstances of a different obligations of other people, but I never had that opportunity.

And we still here, you know, I'm still young, I'm healthy. And I'm saying throwing them V's up because I'm a veteran now and it feels good to be in this position to be so successful at what I've done and been able to build how I've built outside of the ring and still wanting to continue, you know, and to be here. So, you know, I still, you know, it's still a lot of excitement to go and, you know, who better to bring the excitement, especially when Deontay Wilder is fully healthy, physically, mentally, and emotionally. So, you know, here I am, man, yet again, pursuing myself at becoming, you know, a unified champion.

becoming a unified champion. Wilder, so much to take away from that. Firstly, it's great to hear that mentally, physically, you're in a great space. I think that's the most important thing from what you just said. Was there any questions or any thoughts about retirement after the last fight against Zhang? Was there any sort of point in time where you sat down

and you was like, okay, do I still have what I know I used to have? Was there any questions in your mind whatsoever? Yeah. Now, I would never know retirement questions in my mind whatsoever, because I couldn't understand what was going on with me at the moment in time. I couldn't pinpoint why certain things were happening, certain events was occurring. And after the same fight, I finally, I caught it. I finally realized what was going on with me. And I immediately took actions at that. And I had called Shelly, which is my manager. I said, Shelly, I know what it is now. Like it's, and we, you know,

we shared some different, some deep thoughts and some different things that night. And I immediately, I immediately went and got help for it. And a lot of different things, you know, I, you know, I dare not to share to discuss, but, you know, in my mind, retirement was never there because I know I was unfinished. You know, I'm so much better than my past outings.

I'm way better than what I've been doing. You know, everybody knows that, you know what I mean? And certain things that happened to me, certain events, certain things that altered my way of thinking, you events, certain things that altered my way of thinking, you know, in a bad way. I had to go out and get help, man, you know, but I'm back. And I mean, I've sat down and spoke with you a few times and it's good to see this energy.

I always want and hope to see this kind of Yontoward energy and it's nice to see you smiling, nice to see you in a good space. Ariel asked you why are you back and you mentioned you want to unify so you want to become a world champion again. The landscapes changed in boxing, right? The guys that you were chasing or wanting to fight are kind of on the back nine if you like to use a golf reference. AJ, we don't know what's going on over here, Tyson Furious retired. Is the aim Dubois then? Is the aim Alexander Usyk? Who is the aim? Is there a fighter or is it a belt regardless of a fighter? I mean, I'm like any other boxing fan. I just want the best fights that's possible. You know, we understand that in this business that nothing lasts forever.

I mean, even in the world, I mean, we all have an expiration date. You know, all things have an expiration date and a time where that may present itself. And, you know, so the same rules apply in boxing, you know? And for that reason, I'm same rules apply in boxing, you know. And for that reason, I'm not looking for any particular, but I want the best of the best,

whoever the best in the division, that's who I want. And you know, all fighters feed off of each other, even, you know, when the assignment, when I brought the assignment back years ago, you know, and the, when everything was roaring and the excitement was back at the heavyweight division. You know, you had even retired fighters wanted to come back because the energy was so crazy and I'm looking to do it again. And then, you know, we'll see that the, you know, we know, we know certain fighters are on

their way out and certain fighters are, you know, just staying maybe steady for now to see what's going on or whatever, but, you know, they're not out. No one said they're retired, you know, and for that reason, you know, we can only hope for the best of things, but I'm not looking for any particular. I'm just looking to make the heavyweight division aside and fight the best that the best has to offer. Well, the first test in this new chapter comes on June 27th

in Wichita, Kansas. Did you know back in January of 2019, your opponent on that night in June, Tyrell Herddon, like I said, posted this on Instagram. Have you seen this? As of late, manifesting idols become rivals eventually. This is January of 2019. Shit, that is crazy.

How about that? I've never seen this. That is definitely, but it is a true thing. It is, I mean, the universe is big and I always say speak it, believe it, receive it. And what you think and what you say in the world will manifest, it will. That's why a lot of things we go through in life,

sometimes we wanna point fingers instead of pointing at the person that's in the mirror. Cause sometimes we may have said things or thought the same way and brought it up into existence and not even realized it, but have to go through the trials and the tribulations of it. And hopefully there ain't too much turbulence that you can't overcome it.

But when you do, you be like, thank you, Jesus. Thank you. Amen. You'll be able to tell another story. But without a great test, you can't have a greater testimony. Why him as your return fight? Why Tyrell?

Well Tyrell, you know, I let my coaches and stuff look up and analyze a lot of the guys and we was looking to try to come back. We had options of coming back and fighting, you know, in big opportunities, I would say, and already coming back out. But we didn't want to take that route. We wanted to make sure that I say I'm good and everything is good, like no doubts. Because many times I have said that I was good, but maybe had a little doubt.

I never had a point in time in my life where I lost my confidence in myself. Things got so crazy in my life, ultimately my mindset and I lost confidence in myself. And I never thought I would be a man to be able to do that. But certain things in your life and you have certain people around that you will never think that would break your heart. Be a man to be able to do that, but you know, certain things in your life and you have certain people around

that you will never think that would break your heart. And when they do, you know, it changes you. You know, I never has hated my heart, but now I do. And before anyone would tell me, oh, you don't need to have hating, you know, all this and that, I tell people I live my life, you live yours. Made a, you know, and I need a little,

I need a little sprinkle of hate in my heart for the complete the recipe. Because I did get a little too soft. And when you don't, when life is so good and you have, and you take care of everybody and everybody in your face and shit's going good and when you don't wanna do nothing for nobody and you start finding out certain things and things start happening, man.

And you feel like you done done so much for people and you benefited nothing from them when they've benefited everything from you. Every fucking thing. And you see the backstab and the manipulation and the lies. Can I ask who you're specifically referring to? Not at the moment in time. I'm just telling my story and the people are ghosts at the moment in time. But all the truth will be revealed in the near future.

And I'll just tell you about my journey and what I've been through. Without stating names or anything like that is just my journey of what I've been through. I've always been the realest fighter. Now I'm just a heavy, the realest fighter in the business to tell it how it is. There's nothing that I've said in my career that I've lied about. Everything I said, I got valid proof. I got everything. I tell people I risk my life for others entertainment.

So with that being said, I dare not to sit here and tell the listeners that are listening and the viewers that are viewing my face and my lips moving. I would dare not speak a lie upon anything that I say. And many people want to use what your words and say all those are excuses and stuff. If whatever, what they may consider that to be. But if the thing is the truth that set you free, then I've been free a long time ago. You understand me? When I speak, I speak because I am free. I speak my truth. I speak my peace and how anybody receiving and dissected from that point on, then that's up to them. I can't control that. I can only be who I am and speak like I know I'm just speaking.

That's from the heart. And sometimes my passion gets in. And I may get a little routed because I'm passionate about what I say. But my journey has been what it is. And I'm here. I'm alive. I'm well alive.

And I'm ready to go again. It's not over. I said I'll die for well alive, and I'm ready to go again. You know, it's not over. I said I'll die for what I believe in, and here I am again. They always wanna... Ooh. He was cooking right there. Oh no, and I didn't even wanna interrupt,

I just let him cook. Yeah. When he gets into that flow, he just... Oh, he's back, he's back. Are you back, Deontay? You know, when... Hello, can you hear me? We hear you now. Yeah, we lost you for a second there, but now we hear you. Can you hear us? Yeah, I can hear you. Okay, keep going. And they say, and if that's so, then they say, and if that sets you free, then I've been free. I've been free, bro.

I've been free, and here I am now. I'm just, I'm ready to continue. I'm ready to continue on. Many people wonder how you fall, and you get back up, and you keep going. Because many people, it was something, majority of most people would fail in life, especially in the first place. And I'm not saying that you're not going to fail. I'm saying that you're going to fail.

I'm saying that you're going to fail. I'm saying that you're going to fail. I'm saying that you're going to fail. I'm saying that you're going to fail. I'm saying that you on. Many people wonder how you fall and you get back up and you keep going. Cause many people, it was something, majority of most people would fail in life, especially on a major platform where millions of people that knows you or may see you, they may not even have to know you. But that just that point of a human being

surfacing this world, walking through life, knowing there's something that they failed or may seem like they failed because you ain't failing, you're still alive, you're still breathing, you can still keep going. And I am the example. I am the light of the way, you know? Y'all may not see me many times. Well, the group that is bringing this fight together, that is making it happen, that's putting it on is Global Combat Collective. They are headed up by Nelson Lopez Jr. and Joshua Chase.

They're the ones putting on this event on June 27th in Wichita, Kansas. You can watch it on BLK Prime. And they're doing big things over there as well because I understand that Nelson Lopez Jr. is now, let me get this right, they are putting on a promotion called Trigon Combat. It's an innovative promotion featuring the BKB, the Bare Knuckle Boxing Signature Tri triangle ring. We've seen this before with some other promotions, most notably BKB and Nelson Lopez has left his role at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to take the reins

as the CEO and co-owner of Trigon Combat. And perhaps that will mean that we'll get a little Deontay Wilder action in that world as well. Who knows? Wow. Wow. Let's bring in Nelson here for some insight into all of this. Nelson, thank you very much for the time.

Great to have you on. We appreciate you very much. So first, tell us, being a part of GCC and making this event for the return of Deontay Wilder in Wichita, Kansas. How did it all get done? Oh wait, we don't hear you. Are you muted? There we go. First of all, thank you. Thank you first for having me on, watching the show, being a fan and is unreal. You know, the company just started basically, I managed, trained and promoted, did every role I could with Alicia Baumgartner

since today she was an amateur 10 years ago. And from amateur fights all the way to the unification of her fight, we decided, me and my team decided to create global combat collective because I wanted to bid against the the fight that was happening for her for the WBC belt during the time of this whole uh steroids scandal right. It took eight months to get there, but during that eight months, I was thinking, you know, it's time for me to step, step up. You know, like Deontay, I've done so much for so many other companies, um, for their benefit. And, you know, but I have been a key component in the, in even the

Dante, even, you know, Adrian Broner worked for Al Heyman for, for eight years and top rank and all the top promotion, which are just three or four, but I was a key figure in bringing a lot of value in that. And then I dedicated so much time to a BKFC and helped bring that to, to fruition too, all of my time. And everything just aligned perfectly where Alicia needed me to step up and bid on that WBC belt, which you know how the belts are, it's weird, but I know that I outbid the big dogs of match room. And I did an all female card in Georgia in a fully immersed studio.

And that gave us Global Combat Collective. That Alicia's journey, my journey learning throughout the years. We put it together with all the teams that I've gathered, eliminating the bad guys and putting on the good guys. And now it was something as a gap that needed to be filled in combat sports. No one was really paying attention to the ladies. And me, my whole career, I was focused on figuring how to get to Lisa to under under speed or championship, whether she was the B side, A side or whatever it was, it was about strategic and facilitating and just putting her in the right

places. And now here we are being being able to grab the bull by a swan being in the driver's seat. And it is is absolutely unreal. Like that is where he's coming about. And here we are doing a Deontay Wilder fight. You know, I'm, I pinch myself because I'm like Deontay Wilder is not only just a heavyweight that reigned the heavyweight division for five years, 2000, what 2015 to 20, right? But he is the last American world champion heavyweight. You know, the last one before that was Shannon Riggs,

or I believe, I've seen Rockman had a belt within between 2006 and 07. You know, and today we'll be represent a fighter by Deontay Wilder and provide and see his passion of not just a comeback. This is not just a comeback. It's named legacy reloaded for a reason. It's not that, oh, let me see if I still got it. Deontay has it. He knows he has it. I've been watching him work. He's hungry. He's healthy. His mind is right. You see how he talks. He's a different human being

and he's all positive. He's healthy. He's ready to go. And it's not about a comeback. It's really legacy-reloaded. He's ready to make that legacy. And that's what we're trying to help him do. Al-Saleem Al-Rasheed Nelson, congratulations with your success. Congratulations, especially with Alicia Baumgartner. Me and Ariel talk about her on this show probably once every couple of weeks. Ariel, we always mention Alicia Baumgartner and what she's been able to do and what I think she will do in the next few years.

How did this Wilder thing come about? Wilder, as you say, one of the hottest names in boxing. Wherever he goes, he creates chaos just because of his character, his persona. And I know Matron would have been looking at him, Queensby would have been looking at him, Riyadh season again potentially. How did you and Wilder get this connection to kind of do this fight? Well, you know, to be honest, when you own a franchise, you're supposed to learn every single franchise, you're supposed to learn every single job in that business. Not that you have more money, not that you have the wrong location. It's about having knowledge of every single component in that business.

The reason why these kind of opportunities come about is like, Nelson, do you have an investor? Nelson, do you have a venue? Nelson, do you have an opponent? Nelson, do you have a state hotel of production? Nelson, do you have a venue? Nelson, do you have an opponent? Nelson, do you have a state hotel, a production? Nelson, do you have a network? And I got asked about five or six of those questions and I said, I have them all.

You know? And I said, thank you for calling me. And I know Deontay, Jay and Shelly, and I've worked well with them and they've been a professional and they've been responsive and it's hard in this business because this business is like, yeah, yeah, yeah, I can do it, I can do it. And next thing you know, it's like, no, we can't do it. And I said I could do it from the beginning and once the ink was dry, they were like,

wow, this guy Nelson really did it. And you know, and here we are, here we are. It's just an opportunity for me, like I said, it was handed to me from all those little aspects of like facilitating someone to do the event. And I say, guys, you know, why don't I do the event? If you need a license, if you need this, if you need that, why don't I do the event? If you need a license, if you need this, if you need that, why don't I do the event?

And here we are. Deontay, can I ask you any chance of seeing you do a little bare knuckle? There was some talk of you doing some MMA for a second, crossing over, any chance of you on a Trigon combat card? I don't know about bare knuckle. Hold on, Ariel. The Trigon uses an MMA glove. Okay. The pros use a four ounce MMA glove, I don't know about bad enough to do this. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Okay. Yeah Yeah, if it's a if it's a glove if it's a four ounce glove or something like that. I'm all in

You know me I go that's scary You put that you put the four hours or something that's You got how to you gonna have to do you gonna have to sign some some a lot of other different contracts all the different contracts. Don't have to come along. Don't worry, hey, don't worry, Deontay. We're gonna go where, we'll talk, let's focus on this, okay? One at a time.

Let's focus on this. Can I ask you, we had Turkey Al-Sheik on recently, Deontay, and he said that he was trying to do you versus Francis Ngannou, and Francis is still without an opponent, and I think this is the matchup that everyone's been talking about. Was that ever seriously brought to your attention? And if not, are you still interested

in a potential fight against Francis Ngannou in either boxing or MMA or or Trigon? I mean um I don't know how much I can say but I'm gonna go I'm gonna say on this part I mean uh me and Francis that fight always been it still comes up it came up two more times you You know what I mean? Not too long ago, to be exact. You know what I mean? Not too far away, maybe a couple of months ago. Ain't too far for me, but we're just trying to figure out how they want the segment to go with me and Gano. You know, I'm definitely interested, he is as well.

You know what I mean? It's just, I guess it's just a matter of, just a time. Time is always the matter of all things. And then when you execute that, you get a place and a date and you get things and then you start the promoting and then things get popular. So I think that's something that's gonna be created,

something that's looking to be done You know, I mean just like getting everything together and all the detail living and stuff like that So yeah people gonna look forward to that, you know, I'm looking forward to that, you know, so stay tuned Yeah, stay tuned indeed fans will be happy to hear that Nelson with regards to yourself Obviously look so many BKB events you've got planned coming up and good luck. Is there going to be more boxing events post Wilder? Are you looking to do some more before the end of the year? Yeah, I'm looking to do something. I'm also, I'm very focused on the Trigon. We're working slow on that. You know, boxing is my passion.

Boxing is where I come from. And yes, I did the bare knuckle for a long time. You know, learned a great deal with marketing and just everything, all the aspects. But I really want to focus on getting a couple more shows this year and another all female event as well. One last one for Deontay. Deontay, give us the hit list.

Who are the names? You got Tyrell, June 27th, Wichita, It Goes Great, who's next? Is it AJ finally? Who is it? Give us the names right now. The next three. Don't do this to me.

Don't do this to me, Ariel. Let's go, let's go. This Deontay Wilder AJ thing has hurt my heart for a decade. Do it to him. For a decade it's killed me. Stick that knife this to me, Ariel. Let's go. Let's go. This Deontay Wilder AJ thing. Do it to him. It hurt my heart for decades. Do it to him. For a decade it's killed me.

Stick that knife in his heart right here. Come on, man. American to American. Let's go. Tell us the hit list. Let's go. Yeah, well, right now we got two schedules right now for sure. We're looking to do another one in December.

I think this year's going to be filled with just making sure I'm back tuned up. I'm tuning myself up, making sure I'm where I say I am and not have no doubts. Not just saying it, but still have the doubts as well. Hopefully I pick it up along the way in camp or some shit like that. Sometimes you got to mean? Because sometimes you got to psych yourself out, you know what I'm saying? It's almost like bringing yourself back to life. You got to put them, them shocks on you and see yourself. Sometimes you got to speak things and then, you know, even if you ain't confident, I hope you find it.

But I wasn't, no sparks was in it. By the time it happened, the sparks was gone. So we want to make sure that when I'm saying this shit, I'm saying it with my whole fucking chest and my heart is inside of it so you know I mean so I know I'm good so we're gonna do we're trying to get three but we got two lined up for sure right now one is here in Kansas and the other ones is out of the country so and then we don't know what the next one's gonna be. I'll leave that up to my managers there, my team. So, and we're gonna be, you know,

just trying to get ourselves back together and then come next year. Yeah, hey mom, baby. Who's the second one against? I can't say, yeah. Okay. Ariel always asks questions. He knows you can't answer them. He always does this. I can't say, yeah. I'm not going to, I mean, because, you know, we ain't going to move ahead.

Okay, fair enough. I mean, we're not going to move ahead, you know. And I keep it for that element, you know. We're going to be in somewhere, we're going to be out of country, somewhere in Korea, so we're in South Korea. Oh, wow. And that's it. That's all I'm going to say.

All right. Well, much's all I would say. All right. Well, much love, Deontay. Thank you so much for joining us. Welcome back. This was a great privilege and honor for us. Great to see you in great spirits and revved and ready to go.

It's a beautiful sight to see. Everyone's very excited about that. And Nelson, good luck and congratulations to you and the whole team at GCC, everything that you guys are doing with GCC and try gone We will be watching and we are looking forward to a june 27th, Wichita, Kansas blk prime It's going to be a great scene seeing the bronze bomber back. Thank you so much guys. Appreciate it. I appreciate it there

There it is. Believe it or not. You still got it. Love it. Love it. All right, well there you have it. The absolute legend himself, Deontay Wilder. All right, so what do you feel? What do you feel now?

I'm excited. I mean, he's got that thing, right? He's got that thing. He's just got that thing. And you know, I like what he said as well. Like he could have said AJ, he could have said, okay, I want this guy, I want that guy. It's just got that thing. And you know, I like what he said as well. Like he could have said, AJ, he could have said, okay, I want this guy, I want that guy. It's like, okay, let me get past Tyrell.

Let me have one more and then we'll see where I am. And I like the honesty there because a lot of people, including myself, are like, okay, look, if Wilder wants to come back, go straight in with a top 10 guy. But he's like, no, no, I need to see where I am. And maybe that's a fight, can't, maybe that's a fight. And we're gonna find out in June. And then I guess we're going to find out in Korea,

which is interesting in December. So, um, I don't know, man. I know what I'd prefer wilder to be. And that's probably not in the ring anymore. But we have seen, as we said at the top of the show, so many fighters do these massive view turns where you think they're done and all of a sudden they get a couple of wins and they're right back. He looks healthy. He certainly doesn't look like a guy that's gonna be 40 in October.

He looks really young, so I wish him the best of luck. Here's the thing, Ade. There's a lot of boxing shows out there. A lot of them talk about the news. We talk to the newsmakers, all right? Pat Brown, Deontay Wilder. That's the difference, okay? That is the difference.

Let's talk about some news from this past weekend, all right? Let's talk about Sandy Ryan and Michaela Mayer. The first fight was an all-time classic. The second was just as good. This time around, though, not as close, no controversy whatsoever. Very happy for that before the fight, during the fight, after the fight.

Michaela Mayer is all the way back, and she is very comfortable at welterweight. What a performance out of her in Las Vegas, and afterwards, calling out Lauren Price for another big clash with another Brit. Your thoughts on what she did on Saturday. Yeah, she just made the adjustments, right? It was always boxer versus puncher.

Michaela Maia was always the boxer of the two, right? A great amateur record. And Sandy Ryan was the kind of brawler of the two. But Michaela just made the adjustments. And even when it got tight, I think round nine was a good round for Sandy. Michaela was just so smart she was holding on, clinching all the dark arts of the sport of boxing and she just found her way to, wasn't comfortable, it was a lot more comfortable than the first fight, the first fight was really close. So Michaela Maia just looks really really good, she's

now a fully fledged welterweight as well, let's not forget she jumped up from super feather, that's a big jump. It's going to take a while for the body to get used to holding that extra weight in the ring. And now we wait to see who is the number one in the division. Some will make a case for Michaela Meyers, some will make a case for Lauren Price. We need to find out. So hopefully it's a fight that can happen in the summer. Hopefully Ben Shalom and top rank and boxer can come together and work something out because she called her out. Lauren Price responded and said, yeah, let's do it. So there should be no hurdles. I feel like the only hurdle be Michaela Meyer coming to the UK. Her record of coming to the UK has not been great. She feels like

she doesn't get a fair shake. So will Lauren Price go to America? That could be the only stumbling block. Well, I feel like a lot of people have been, um, trying to get their licks in on, on top rank. They know that the deal with ESPN is coming to an end and they're trying to say like they aren't what they once were. But you look at this card, you know, Michaela, the top rank fighter wins. Uh, I'm very high on Shushu Carrington, the pride of Brownsville.

He had another big win. Brian Norman Jr. Had another big win. They had that show here in New York not that long ago with the likes of Keyshawn Davis looking so good. Like they've got some young stars. They've got some studs. They've got some absolute studs. So this is a big year for them as they look for their new home. Who knows where it will be. Honestly, we have no idea, but they've got some people that, especially if you're an American boxing fan,

you need to start paying attention to and you need to be excited about. Yeah. I mean, that card that we spoke about in small MSG, what a couple of months ago with Keeshawn Davis was, was stacked with young talents and as I saw in the card, again, someone I'm always excited about Jared Anderson, who I still think there's something there with Jared, don't write him off. Yeah. And then you mentioned Shu Shu, who I think is really good. Um, calling that Nick Ball.

I like it. Right. Got the mic and called out everyone. Brian Norman, right? Is he the dark horse in the water weight division? Is he the best champion? We wait to see, but there's a lot of talent in there. There's a lot of good girls there as well.

So you're right. If I'm Bob, I'm not worried. I know I'm going to get a very good contract with someone because look at the talent I've got. Look at the stable I've got. And look at the history of getting champions to the very top level and making those champions into stars. No one's better at this than Bob. No one's been doing it longer than Bob. So I think, I think Top Rank are in a very good

space right now. I feel like they're going to have an output deal with several broadcasters. I feel like they're not going to commit just to one and we can see Top Rank on a few different platforms. That's my hunch. Well, I love Bob. I mean, who knows how old he is? What is he? 92, 93. He's still at the event.

No one knows. No one's seen the certificate. And he's still got the fastball. He's still out there throwing zingers. The guy is unbelievable. I mean, we need to celebrate this man. And I know promoters at times, we don't like to celebrate. And he's been around, I think it was, I think I saw something 59 years

since he last you know Since his first fight that he ever promoted and Ali fight against George Shavalo in Toronto It's just speaking of which I have I have that poster right over there The first card that Bob Arum ever promoted you think you know ball and then I come around anyway That's I'm not gonna that's that's a pretty good get yeah that's a pretty good get I give you respect for that one mr. Howani over in Cancun Mexico we had a nice card over there Williams a Peta Tevin Farmer to you at the first fight I do believe in Riyadh I was Tino night very close somewhat controversial this

time around perhaps not as close, but Tevin Farmer saying afterwards, he thought he was robbed again, thought he should have gotten the nod. What'd you think? Yeah, I thought Zapata won it just. Farmer's got some reasons to be upset, like that 12th round knockdown,

which the referee called a slip, wasn't a slip. Maybe it was a punch behind the back of the head, but it certainly wasn't a slip. And I mean, if that's a knockdown you just never know right but I thought Zapata did enough my thing with Zapata is when this fight was first made as I'm talking Latino night one everyone made it like a shoe in that Zapata was gonna run through Tevin Farmer and I thought we had something very special with Zapata I'm kind of raining my thoughts in a bit now

with Zapata I mean I don't know my thoughts in a bit now with Zapada. I mean, I don't know. I mean, they're talking about a Shakur Stevenson fight and if you can't get past Tevin Farmer clear, then you haven't got a chance. You haven't got a hope in hell against Shakur Stevenson because Shakur Stevenson is like Tevin Farmer on steroids. I mean, he's a lot younger, he's faster, he hits harder. Maybe he doesn't have the boxing IQ of a farmer because farmer's IQ is underrated, but Shakur Stevenson is just better. And I may feel that's a bad matchup for Zapata. I'm not quite sure Golden Boy do as Zapata. I mean, you look at the record and you're like, okay, why is Zapata not fought for a world title? And then you see the farm performance and like, ah, maybe they

know something that we don't know about him. Maybe they're not quite sure about him yet either. So it'd be interesting to see which way they go. The initial route was Shakur Stevenson. I don't know about him. Maybe they're not quite sure about him yet either. So it'd be interesting to see which way they go. The initial route was Shakur Stevenson. I don't think they're going to go that way anymore. You're not into it anymore. Well, I'm into it, but I don't think they're into it. When you say they, do you mean just Golden Boy or do you mean Zepeda and Golden Boy?

Just Golden Boy. I think Zepeda, fighters will fight fighters. Fighters will fight anyone. Zepeda will fight him tomorrow. I think Oscar and the team, the matchmaking team might say, okay, maybe we kind of pump the brakes a little bit. Because Farmer was the ideal opponent to kind of test yourself as Shakur, right? And that hasn't quite worked out well.

Well, you know, sometimes like matchups are just tricky. Sometimes one guy just has the other guy's number. And technically it is two wins over Farmer. But, you know, maybe it's just a style thing who knows would like to see him take that step obviously Shakur coming off the win needs that next challenge this would be a step up from from Padley obviously who took that fight on just like three four or five days notice so let's see let's see where he goes from here no no it's a big name it's a big name for Shakur Shakur want

the fight it's a big name I mean Zepeda is unbeaten it It brings a different audience. I'm African-American Mexican fights are always done good numbers as well So I think Shakur will want the fight I just feel like it wasn't what I thought it would be and again, it could be a style matchup thing But I do think Shakur's style was quite similar to farmers just better So I just don't know how that will play out for Zepeda Well, once again, a reminder that Queensbury makes its official global The Zone debut on Saturday in Manchester. You shall be there for the Joe Joyce- I am.

Philip Hergovich fight, yes? I am. I'm presenting it. It's mine. It's my show. I'm the face of The Zone. That's what they say. That's what they say. I don't say that. That's what they say. But I'm very interested. I mean, there, that one there there David Adelaide versus Jimmy TKV I mean those guys needed came to blows a couple of days ago. I saw it. I was right there. So that's Where did it happen? At Talksport. They were both doing their thing on Talksport and David Adelaide, you know, he's got a little bit of a mouth to talk to Jimmy TKV bit and Security had to kind of break's got a little bit of a mouth to talk to Jimmy TKV bit and then security had to kind of break them up

A little bit they were gonna go and that's for the British every weight title that Fabio Wardley Vacated so that's a really good co-main event scrap We've had a couple of pullouts, but I think Frank Warren's done a good job of putting the top part of the card still together All right. Well that is this Saturday on the zone available Worldwide the global home of boxing does it once again? All right time now for everyone's favorite segment of the way presented by Yeah, it's over what yeah, I mean I'm sorry you missed last week You probably want a few more hot takes, but we gots to go we ain't gots to go home

But we gots to get the hell out of here my friend I got I got court side tickets to the Knicks tonight. All right, no time to dilly-dally The Knicks have already got these cheap tickets cuz already in the playoffs. These are the cheap tickets. They're already in the playoffs No one cares. Let's just get there and see what you can do See get there and see what you can do Get this what you can do Josh Hart. That's what you boys can do. Call out any towns. Get there so you can do Josh Hart. That's what you boys can do. Keep going, keep going. Another name?

That's all I know. Not bad, one of them was injured, but not bad. Let's go back to this past weekend. Let's go to 2022 Commonwealth winner. Do you know who I'm talking about here? Come on, roll the tape. There it is. Silver medalist. Excuse me, I said winner. Silver medalist.

Look at this knockout. Taylor Bevin knocks out Alice Makovic with a brutal left uppercut in the very first round to move to 3-0. A stunning. The technique on that was stunning. Can we see that again? Yeah. Look at us. Look at that. I want to say it one more time because the power was shocking. It was ferocious. You put anything into that. Look at this. Look at that. I want to say one more time because the power was shocking. It was Anything into that look at this

Oh my lord left uppercut, you know, you know that reminds me of yeah And this isn't to dig out is a good friend of mine now, but for Beckin who's not a good friend of mine Oh, what? No, no Beckin ain't my. But that's similar to that. It's just technique. Look at him though. He looks like an Adonis, doesn't he? Yeah. Physically looks fantastic.

So there you go. It's a good one. It's a good one. That's a good one. I thought you might pick Pat Brown, but. No, but we just showed it. I like to get the obscure ones. Okay.

Of course, that's a good one. And I like to surprise you with these. I want to see if you know a ball as well. Like Mohammed Ali versus George Shavallo. Shushu Carrington was a good one. That was a good one. I could have chosen that one as well. How do we not have a sponsor for this segment yet? Like what's going on? Unfortunately with Shushu, we can't show his stop ring. Can't you? What are we not? We can't show top ranks off? I don't know. Okay. I just try to keep it down. You know, we're not trying to ruffle any feathers here. We're

trying to be good soldiers. We're not trying.. I thought we were just all encompassing, man. I thought we were just a bit of everything. Broadcast rights, deals, things. Ah, I get it. I get it. We'll talk offline about it. What if you ask them? Maybe tell me. I can tell them. I can make a phone call. Can you call Bob for us? Bob? What?

Whitelist us. I can't call Bob, but I can call someone. I can call Todd the Booth. I can call... Oh, TD? Melissa. I can call a lot of people. Awesome. All right, we're out of time. Good to have you back. We missed you. We love you.

Thank you very much. We look forward to your work. I'm still sending an invoice in for last week though. That's not for free. Of course. By the way, are we getting Carl Frampton this weekend? I loved him. Is he...

We are. Frampton's back. It's me and Carl. Wow. First time as well? Yeah, first time working for Carl. This is like a world's colliding here. This is bad. It's me and Carl. It's me and Carl. Wow, first time as well? It's me and Carl. Yeah, first time working for Carl, or with Carl. Yeah, I'm excited. This is like a world's colliding here.

This is amazing. It's very strange. This is very much DC and Marvel. I don't know what's going on. I like Carl Frampton. I'm a big fan. He's great. No, he is very, very good.

One of the best. One of the best. All right. Well, we look forward to that. Great job. As always, thank you very much to Pat Brown. Thank you very much to Deontay Walder. Thank you very much to Nelson Lopez Jr.

And most importantly, thanks to all of you for watching. Much love. We appreciate you all so very much. We'll talk to you next week. Enjoy the fights. Thanks for watching! you