The Ariel Helwani Show - Ariel x Ade, episode 31: Richardson Hitchins' huge win, 'Boots' moving up, Deontay Wilder's mentality, more

Episode Date: June 17, 2025

Ariel Helwani opens the show solo with a recap of Richardson Hitchins’ huge win over George Kambosos Jr. (03:34) and Eddie Hearn’s reaction to Hitchins' free agency comments (04:23).Dmitry Salita, head of Salita Promotions, calls to discuss Claressa Shields’ upcoming undisputed heavyweight title fight (10:29), MVP’s increased presence in women’s boxing (14:11), TKO’s emergence in the sport (16:37), and more.Co-host Ade Oladipo joins the show in progress (34:23), fresh off hosting duties for the Club World Cup (36:04), to spotlight Hitchins' win (40:40), before discussing Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis moving up in weight (50:01), and Deontay Wilder's mentality before his return fight (54:09).They close the show by reacting to breaking news about Jaime Munguia’s positive drug test (1:00:09), previewing this weekend’s fights (1:04:37) and delivering the Parting Shot (1:07:20).

Hello and welcome to a brand new edition of Ariel and Ade right here on the undisputed global home of boxing. D-A-Z-N that's the zone baby. Not just the undisputed global home of boxing but for the next month without a doubt the undisputed global home of football or soccer depending on where you reside on what you like. There's a lot going on right here on Dazon and usually right here and now I'll say hello to my good friend, my co-pilot, my co-host if you will, my partner in crime Adele O'Dipo

all the way in London but well I do have some bad news. Perhaps, dare I say some breaking news? Yeah, that was the shot. That's the shot right there. He's been seeing other people. He's been hobnobbing. He's been rubbing shoulders with the elite, the super elite. In case you missed it, he's been presenting

the Club World Cup right here on Dazone and there I am flipping through tuned in on Saturday Inter-Miami oh my gosh what a big deal and there's my friend Ade with Sir David Beckham Sir David Beckham and yes I stress sir because he may have sent he may have said that word sir like at least 48 times in the interview. In case you missed it, take a look. We have become five here. Two very important people. Look at Sir David Beckham. Sir David Beckham.

It is well now. We'll come to you in a second. How does it feel now? You've been knighted. Everyone back home excited about you, Sir David Beckham. Was that three times? No, definitely haven't. But it's been an emotional week, I an emotional week for me and for my family. It's obviously very special. It's a huge honour but one that has been shared with myself and my family.

It's been an emotional week. Jorge, when you took over this club, I guess this was the dream Alright well that's enough of that there he is. He probably calls him sir 48 or 40. I guess at that point It's 45 more times But it's great stuff. I'm delighted Friday. I know how much he loves football And I do want to let you know he is going to join us. In fact, we are trying. There's a match that's wrapping up right now involving River Platte, the pride of Argentina. I believe they're gonna win three to one last I checked. There's a match that's wrapping up right now and we're gonna try to do a thing

where this little outfit, this show, joins his show and now I'm being told it's not happening. It's not happening. We try. I'm gonna call him right and now I'm being told it's not happening it's not happening we try I'm gonna call him right now and I'm gonna give him crap for that it's not happening we tried to do it we tried our best but it's not happening and quite frankly it was a big headache to try to make it happen and so probably for the best he will join us midway through the show to talk about everything going on in the world of boxing in about five minutes time one of the top promoters in the game Dimitri Salida is gonna join us we to talk about everything going on in the world of boxing. In about five minutes time, one of the top promoters in the game,

Dimitri Salida is going to join us. We'll talk about Clarissa Shields return to Detroit in July, July 26th. To be exact, we'll talk about her impending free agency. We'll talk about a whole host of things with Salida. So stay tuned for that. Speaking of free agency, that's a big topic right now in the sport, especially coming off what we saw Saturday night at the theater right next door to Madison Square Garden because as you guys know, it was Richardson Hitchens against George Kambosas. And there was a

great build up to this fight. In the end, it was, I think, as expected, Hitchens' time to shine. You see him drop Cambosis here in the eighth. He had landed some big shots up to this point, and Cambosis, who has had a solid career, a great career, and no doubt sells fights just as good as everyone. I mean, to take shots like that from a guy like Richardson Hitchens, who is as young and talented

and really coming into his own now, claiming to be the future face of American boxing and Lord knows it is up for grabs right now. It's a, you know, it's a tough task. It's a tough task, especially coming all the way over from Australia to New York and fighting essentially in Hitchens' hometown. And so afterwards, Hitchens gets on the microphone and proclaims that, hey, I'm about to head into free agency and I want a guy named Devin Haney next. Here's what he had to say.

I'm going into free agency now, so there's a lot of options and I want the big fight. You know, after my last fight, I called Teo Fima out right away. You know, obviously he got other plans, so I don't know what's next. But I'm looking at the camera. Devin Haney, f**k you, let's fight! Devin Haney next! Devin Haney and Bill Haney! New York, stand up baby, we here baby! That's an incredible post fight interview. I loved everything about it. Here's Devin moments after saying we could get it at 147 pounds. Now, Tiofema Lopez was in the ring as well as you saw. He seems to be in the mix, but the impression that I got in the aftermath of all this is that Eddie

Hearn didn't really like the fact that Hitchens used that moment to proclaim that he's about to head into free agency. He was, I would say, pretty perturbed, if you will. Here's Eddie talking to IFL TV backstage after the fight about that post-fight interview. I did feel disrespected because it's not him. It's just dogs around him that put things like, I mean, there is no loyalty in boxing. You've got to look after yourself.

But when someone has come in, when you were on the floor and you know I remember when I first met Richardson Hitchens I mean that the door of his car was falling off and to be honest I've spent a lot of money and invested in a young man that I really respect and admire and I've boxed him at Madison Square Garden. I've headlined him in Orlando, where we really didn't sell any tickets and we lost a lot of money. I kept with it. I headlined him in Las Vegas,

where again, we didn't sell many tickets and we lost money. Then I paid for him to get the opportunity to fight Liam Paro for the world title. Then I paid up for a big opponent in George Cambosa's, paid up for the big homecoming in New York but Richardson is a very good kid, he's just got some snakes around him and Those snakes Will make you feel like

They're your guy But the reality is they're bloodsuckers who actually certain individuals take a bigger percentage or the same percentage as the promoter that's bankrolling you and paying for your entire path in the sport and making the investment. Managers have zero risk right they just let the promoter do all the work they negotiate the deal and by the way a good manager is good for your career but they just let the promoter do all the work make the investment risk their money and then after the fight

though thank you very much pay me for a couple of phone calls all right and I phone calls. Right? And I just understand the game. So it doesn't infuriate me. I just go, you're a dog. You'll get what's fucking coming to you. That's all. And you know, that's boxing. Fascinating stuff there from Eddie Hearn. And I'm very curious to see how this all plays out. He's been there done that. He has probably seen this before one or two times I would say, but I don't know if he was expecting it to happen in that moment. Perhaps he was referring to some guys who are surrounding Hitchens and there's a fascinating dynamic between as he said the managers and the promoters. Great point by him. The managers don't have to put up the money,

the promoters do. And so let's see how this all plays out. I have a feeling that our first guest today knows the thing or two about this dynamic. He is one of the top promoters in the game. He is the president of Salida Promotions. He has a big show coming up on the zone, July 26. Just had a big show at the Boxing Hall of Fame. He's the pride of, dare I say, Brooklyn, New York and Detroit, Michigan these days. He's the one and only Demetri Salida. He's the pride of, dare I say, Brooklyn, New York and Detroit, Michigan these days. He's the one and only Dmitri Salida. He's kind enough

to join us right here now on the program. Dmitri, how are you, my friend? It's good to have you on. Great to be back. I love your introductions. Always hives me up. Yes. It's not quite Michael Buffer, a few levels below, but I try my best. I'm sure you heard some of that from Eddie and I'm sure you can relate to some of that as well, right? Yes. Yes. No, what Eddie is saying is correct in many ways. And and I understand where he's coming from, for sure.

And so, you know, when I was... Go ahead, go ahead. No, I know Hitchens for many years, I actually used to box with him. Very talented fighter. And then just as a boxing fan of someone to see a cop. I used to start city boxing club. And to a crossing kids in flat bushes itself would be part of the sides great to see what he's doing. I was developed as a fighter and be a champion with incredible. By the way as an aside did you think that he would turn out to be as good as he is now.

I did you know I boxed with him when he was still an amateur and I was a professional and uh and I was a little bit heavier than him and obviously older and I remember making a mental note to myself this kid is really really good. Another guy that I boxed that was that good was Danny Jacobs also grew up. Yep. Uh Danny grew up in Stratford City Boxing Club all together so I used to box when he was a kid. Yes, Haititchens is very talented and looks like he's really coming close to his prime and really getting to his groove. And he really looked, I think the best he's ever looked at versus Ken Bosa. So a lot of exciting fights to be made between him and Walter Wade. He has said that he thinks he can become the future face of American boxing. That title,

I would say right now is very much up for grabs. Who do you think is the face of American boxing? And that title is up for grabs in many different ways and kind of really every facet of the industry. Who is the face of American boxing? Well, Terence Crawford, I believe, is the face of American boxing and Clarissa Shields. Those are two fighters that carry the badge

of representing the United States of America as professionals and as amateurs. And obviously Clarissa, you know, at a much higher level as an amateur. So speaking of Clarissa Shields, she was in my studio just a couple of weeks ago talking about her upcoming fight. And it sort of reminded me to a degree, a little bit different, but to a degree to this Hitchens situation, because she said to me that she is going to head into free agency as well after this fight. A, could I just ask how did you feel about her saying that beforehand? We have a very open and honest relationship and I'm very grateful for all the work that

we've done for Clarissa up to this point. And you know, what we'll be will be we have a great fight, we had a great press conference yesterday at the Cesarina with Lonnie Daniels. Clarissa Shields is making the first ever defense of the Undisputed Heavyweight World Title. She's a four division Undisputed World Champion and we started working together in 2017. I believe this is going to be one of the biggest events in terms of attention in terms of attendance, I believe is going to be sold out at Little Seas Arena, which is a 19,000 plus seed building. So I'm very happy with what we've done. I'm very happy with where we're at.

In a couple of minutes, I'm going to the Tigers game with Clarissa. She's going to throw out the first pitch and I'm very happy about our relationship. So I believe that all is good. I'm assuming perhaps a silly question, but I'm assuming you would like to remain in business with her post this fight. 100%. I mean, I believe that we've done a great job together

and she's accomplished many firsts, broken many glass ceilings. Women's boxing to a larger extent is where it is today because of Clarissa's success, because of her skills and because of her personality, because she's apologetic about where she feels that she belongs and she's really beaten and has done anything inside the ring

that could possibly be done. Things that no man or woman have ever done as a pro and as an amateur. And I'm very grateful for the path that we've kind of walked together and I look forward towards the future and I feel very confident that all will be good. Is there any chance that you secure a long-term deal with her before the fight? You know, there's... I don't negotiate on social media.

And I don't talk about my business that way on social media. So certainly Clarissa is an American superstar. And it's really incredible that a fighter can command such attention and has really gained so much traction. She's the first woman ever in the history of United States television to be the main event on premium cable network which was on Showtime in only her second professional fight. So one of her first world title in her fourth professional fight had the

biggest women's fight of all time against Christina Hammer up to that point winning the undisputed middleweight world title, then fought Savannah Marshall in England, one of the most watched women's sporting events ever on Sky. So I'm very happy with the work that we've done together and again very happy about the relationship. together and again very happy about the relationship and I believe that I'm okay with Clarissa being at the stage of her career not doing a long-term deal. I think that she's in a position where she can kind of figure out what makes sense and again we always had a very open and honest relationship and I really feel good about it so it's all good. Could I ask, you know, just a couple of weeks before your event here in New York, Madison Square Garden, it will be that MVP card, the all women's cards of Anna Marshall is on as

well. Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano three very clearly MVP, most valuable promotions going all in on women's boxing. How do you feel about what they're doing? And in addition to that, trying to sign up all the biggest names right now who are fighting all around the world. Great question. So I believe we have some of the best women fighters in the world. Astria Lozada was the opening TV fighter in the Hall of Fame weekend last week. She's absolutely

incredible. Puerto Rico's first ever female Olympian. She won my first round knockout in less than 30 seconds against a very credible and good fighter. So we have Francia Cruz, who's a SuperMilitary World Champion. Samantha Worthington, a fighter that I have together with Clarissa, is fighting for the first title, WBA interim title, which is the same title that's held by Taylor and Serrano. And we have many, many more fighters and I obviously will be open to doing, you know, five versus five, seven versus seven, whatever it is. I believe that I think competition is always good for boxing, options are good for boxing. I think that what Jake Paul is doing

for boxing, options are good for boxing. I think that what Jake Paul is doing and the megaphone that he's using through his celebrity to bring the light onto boxing is great. To bring light onto women's boxing is great as well. He's signing all the fighters that are already established and he's making some big fights with Sereno and Taylor being a great example. But big fights with Sereno and Taylor being a great example. But he's relatively new in the business as a fighter and as a boxing person. And has he developed champions? Has he developed contenders, male or female? Not yet. So that's a very important part of the sport is to remain to be seen. Not saying that he can or he can't, he just hasn't done it so far. So that's, you know, just something to take into consideration. He's starting at a very high level. And because you know, who he is, he's using it to grow his business, which is and he's doing a great job. So it's good. It's all good. It's all good. I don't have to. And we, sorry, and we need different personalities and players in the sport for boxing, for women's

boxing to gain the traction that Instagram. There needs to be tension. There needs to be competition. For women's boxing and men's boxing, but we have never, at least not in the last couple decades seen this much cooperation between the promoters, right? And I think a lot of that started because of Turkey Al-Sheikh in Saudi Arabia trying to bring everyone together. Did you ever think we'd see this?

And is it still, you know, I feel like a year ago it was very harmonious and everyone was loving it. Do you still feel that or, you know, as you know, in boxing, like everything, you know, all that glitters is not gold. Will we get back to a period in the not too distant future where everyone hates each other again? That's a great question. And only time will tell. I do believe what Tariq Yalashek is

doing is fantastic for boxing, making big fights, making promoters work together. And it came at a time that was so important for the growth of the sport. You know, when HBO and Showtime were out of the game, now The Zone is a leading platform for the sport of boxing. And he came on board to make these big fights and excite the fans. And you know, we have Subaru Matias fighting July 12th in New York City at a very unusual Arthur Ashe Center Stadium in Brooklyn. Yes. Center of the Times Square. It's really incredible. So, you know, as a boxing fan, which I always look at fights and events like a boxing fan because it comes from pure place. I love it. And I think it's great. And I believe that, you know, it's okay to have

competition, to have different personalities, as long as you can put those things aside to make the biggest and the best fights. And we need that for boxing, for boxing fans, and for the boxers we represent. Because boxers careers are finite, and we need to do our best to kind of go outside of our universe, to make the competitive matchups that the fans enjoy that they connect to. So I believe that that's very important and it's great to see. I want to go back to something that you said.

You know, boxing is a lot of people, you know, make the business of boxing seem very complicated and you know, but on some level it isn't. And it's difficult to build a fighter to become a star. It's difficult to match a fighter and to progress them. That takes knowledge and and, you know, science, really. Boxing science, the sweet science to make sure that they progress. And they have been, you know, some people in the business that have been absolutely exceptional at it. But then when you get to a certain level, like a championship level, to the promoters and

to the fighters, the money that's out there is what it is. So it's maybe someone has a sponsor that can make a couple of more bucks, but the gate is what it is. The TV network pays what it pays. serve that can make a couple of more bucks but the gate is what it is. TV never pays what it pays. So it's pretty transparent and pretty consistent and that's a good thing. So what I go back to say is that you know on Clarissa we've done a great job of Clarissa and some of the other fighters that we promote. So you you know, I believe that that I feel very confident about it because there's nothing out there that's like, you know, on the other side of the world that can be that can be made, so to say. Another question about the ever evolving landscape. As you know, TKO getting involved, and they talked very early on about, hey, we want our own belt, we want to get rid of the, you know, the three letters, the WBCs, the IBF, we want to do it as

we have done with the UFC. It's a UFC promotional title. We don't adhere to other people's rules. Perhaps we'll get rid of the Muhammad Ali Act this has been talked about. How do you feel about those sweeping changes, radical changes? That's very interesting. And, uh, and that, that's, that's, we're not going to take a, you know, the only time we'll tell, but, uh, you know, changing the structure of weight classes, changing the rounds, you know, could, could be, uh, could be, could bring major change to the sport. sport. We just have to wait and see. I do believe that when there's competition, when there's different players, as long as boxing is not a monopoly, it's a good thing. It's a good thing for the fighters and it's a good thing for the sport. But with that being said, it's very important. It has to be organized. and one of the things that we've seen in boxing over the years and why it's it has suffered in a way is because it's not organized and and folks stay in their own universe to make the fights within their universe and it's like you know and it's a fractured environment and the boxing fans don't get what they want

and uh and the fighters don't get the opportunities they deserve and and sometimes the And the fighters don't get the opportunities they deserve. And sometimes the ranking organizations, you know, get blamed for that. So, with that being said, there's a lot of opportunity, but I do believe that it's a very nuanced world and it's a changing world. And the Boxing Universe of today is really interesting and exciting in many ways because I believe there's a lot of opportunities but also, you know, there's

also a lot of unknowns. Well put, well said. I remember we had you in our studio about maybe a year and a half or so ago and you were sort of describing yourself as the little engine that could in the boxing game because you didn't have that long-term TV deal and maybe not the you know the the the budget as some of the other big promoters have but right now you have this long-term deal with the zone and it seems like you've gained some momentum you had the Hall of Fame show a couple of weeks ago you've got this big show coming up at a

big venue the home of the Detroit Pistons next month. Do you still feel like the little engine that could in the boxing game? Or are you starting to feel like one of the big dogs now? Well, you always got to feel like you like blue engine that could. But and that gives me the drive and the ambition to be the best that I could be. I love this sport of boxing and I love what I do and sometimes even when there's challenges and it's frustrating and as you know I'm sure that I'm going to show you frustrations of every kind of every kind. So yes I definitely feel that I'm fighting upstream and you know I believe that I have a great track record of signing fighters early on and developing them from the beginning to championship level.

That's a very unique skill that I'm very grateful for and to be able to promote them and give them the best opportunities. With consistency now, we'll be able to sign new talent as we have over the last six months. There's a lot of talks of an American heavyweight, one guy you should keep your eye on is Bryce Taylor, an undefeated heavyweight from Brooklyn, New York, who's 8-0 and scored four straight knockouts. He fought on the Polo fan weekend show on the other card before the televised bout. He's going to fight on the Closer show July 26th. So I'm very excited about boxing always and very grateful for the growth that we've had. I believe that we have one of the best business teams in the sport. We're very hungry. We're very driven. I love boxing. And I live in the sport. So really, what

are we supposed to do? What's our what's our mission? Our mission is to understand the fighters and to provide to them the biggest and the best opportunities to tell their stories and to make the fans connected to the sport. So as someone who grew up in Star City Boxing Club in Brooklyn getting inspired by watching fights on HBO and Showtime, really living in the sport and then transitioning you know to the business side of it really starting from the club level show and gradually climbing up the ranks,

so to say, I'm very grateful for those experiences and I believe that boxing fans have seen what we give back and will see even more. By the way, speaking of heavyweights and speaking of the Hall of Fame, we were actually having this debate yesterday, I'd love to get your thoughts. I spoke to Deontay Wilder yesterday, he's returning next week, and I said, oh, whenever

his career is done, he's a Hall of Famer. And then someone on the team was like, yeah, you know, tail end of his career, not a Hall of Famer. Is Deontay Wilder and Demetri Slita's opinion a Hall of Famer or not? Definitely. Deontay Wilder is definitely a Hall of Famer. Okay. All right. I was surprised. Who said he's not a Hall of Famer? I don't want to call him out. It's just someone on my team in the back there.

I don't want to call him out. Oh, so good. Yeah, yeah. But I was like, what? No. Oh, for sure. For what he did the... Oh, no. Deontay... Yeah.

Go ahead. Sorry. No, no. You go ahead. No, Deontay Wilder is a great fighter. He's kind of like Ray Mercer. A guy that didn't have a lot of amateur fights, but had a lot of power. And Deontay Wilder won the bronze at the Olympics. I believe Ray Mercer won a gold medal last year, right?

So, but there's a lot of similarities there in terms of boxing trajectory. A lot of times we judge fighters by the tail end of their careers. And I don't know if that's really fair. Agreed. So yeah, Deontay Wilder is definitely an All-Fame. Clarissa Shields also going to be a surefire Hall of Fame,

one of the greatest of all time. If you could book the rest of the year for her, let's just assume you guys are working together. Okay, she gets by Lanny Daniels on the 26th of July. Who's the next one? Because I feel like there's a couple of big ones just sort of floating in the wings. She doesn't want to go back to the UK to fight Savannah Marshall. She has made that very clear. Where's the big fight? Because that's the one that

everyone's asking for now with Clarissa. You're so good, but we want to see you in a big mega fight again. Tell me, you as a boxing guy, what do you think, what are the big fights for Clarissa? Take into consideration the way that she's at now. Yeah, well, that's the thing. There's no one even remotely close to her at heavyweight. Like not even close, right? In terms of star power, in terms of talent. I feel like the rematch against Savannah is the biggest fight. I agree with you.

And we've tried to make the rematch before, you know, before announcing this fight, we've spoken with Savannah, length, made her offers for career high pay days. But what's the issue? There's only one way to say yes. There's a million ways to say no. What's the issue? What's the issue?

So, I mean, I'm not sure what the issue is. I mean, she, you know, we've tried to take different approaches to the deal. Uh, when it was, if it was the next fight or give a fight in between or two fights in between, whatever, nothing got the deal done. So, and then she signed with MVP and Savannah is a very good fighter. Uh, those that haven't watched the check out the movie, the fire inside. She's obviously Clarissa's natural rival. And if that new which can happen

It'll be fantastic for the sport of boxing but Clarissa's Clarissa will draw fans and has has other significant matchups, you know In front of her one of them is French on Cruz someone who she made a pro debut against we're just defending her title on the whole fan weekend show. What about Shadeja Green? How close was she to fighting Shadeja Green on that MVP card? Shadeja Green, not so close. Not so close, okay.

She was a little upset. Who was it? Clarissa was upset. She let you off feet. She says it like it is yes, so, you know So you know what it is already? Yes, but but the suggestion means be Savannah Marshall Maybe that's a fight, you know to be made in the future for sure. Look look Clarissa's resume. It's really second to none like There's different fighters that call out Clarissa's name from 130 pounds

That's just like that's clickbait because it's unrealistic. Clarissa has never, ever, ever said no to a fight. In fact, when I went to visit Clarissa at Burson Fieldhouse before I signed her, said, Dimitri, I signed with you, promise we're going to make the biggest and the best fights. And literally every one of our fights has been historic. Again, she fought for first world title against us against Nikki Adler, who was 17 and all when she was only three and all going into her fourth fight. So Clarissa's resume is incredible. And she doesn't have to say yes, she says yes to the biggest and the baddest fights, and the best fights. So it's, you know, opponents on the other side of the ring. And in this particular case, you're talking about Savannah Marshall.

Two more questions. And again, thank you for the time. I know you have to get to the baseball game. Can I just ask you and Big Baby Miller, are you officially parting ways? That's been a saga that has played out for quite some time. Where are we at with him? It is, unfortunately, a saga that's played out for a long time. It's an ongoing situation. Okay. I'll leave it at that. Fair enough. I respect that. Give us the lineup for the next month or so. We know that you got the massive one July 26. You mentioned Matias on the ring card. What does Salida Promotions have coming up? So you know we focused on

places that have produced some of the greatest fighters in the sport of boxing. One of them last year was Detroit and the state of Michigan and we also did several events in Puerto Rico before doing an event with Subria Matias. We did an event there in October and we're looking to come back late summer, early fall to continue that plan of finding the next Puerto Rican superstar. Ashton Lozada, I believe, has the skills to pay the bills, man. She's incredible. And her fight was less than 30 seconds. So folks can go on the Zone's social media Instagram page, or I'm sure it's on the YouTube on our YouTube.

I'm sorry, our Instagram and just see how sensational she is. She's really a force to be reckoned with at 122 pounds. She's a Puerto Rican fighter that we discovered as a result of doing business there. And I believe that, you know, you go to Puerto Rico, have you been to a fight in San Juan? Yes, yes, yes, it was incredible. You know, so you get into a cab, and you just start talking boxing, or you go to a store and you start talking boxing,

and everybody knows about every fighter, about what's going on, and like, it's really incredible. So, similar to England, by the way, in England, people love boxing as well. Per capita, Puerto Rico has produced more world champions than ever before. And I believe the next Miguel Caldera and Fidel Trinidad. Amanda Serrano. And Amanda Serrano.

Amanda Serrano is a very good fighter for sure. Yes. And she's gonna have a great fight with Katie Taylor. I look forward to it. It's gonna be a great event. One more thing to say. Yes. Before you go, before you let me go. Rick Ross, the boss is walking out Clarissa Shields. Wow, July, July 26. And little Caesarina. So it's gonna be pretty incredible. I obviously

listen to him. I had my morning jobs with him. And as it's really incredible, it's going to be such an electric atmosphere. And this is what I say to people, what I said yesterday at the press conference, one of Clarissa's fights is historic. She's the Muhammad Ali, the generational athlete of this generation. So if you can make it to the fight, save the ticket because there's going to be a collector's items and if you can't, make sure you tune into the zone to watch the gold put it on. I look forward to that.

The undisputed heavyweight world title for the first time ever. So, you know, they say the man that beat the man that beat the man that beat the man. Now it's going to be with a woman. Well, first things first, I want to see her first pitch because we've had some dicey ones in the fight game recently. The first pitches are not easy. There was a WWE wrestler a couple of days ago at the Mets game that went all the way to the left. I don't know what was going on over there. So let's see what kind of arm she has. That's later on today at Tiger Stadium, Comerica Park.

Correct. And you know, and from what I understand, the Tigers is one of the best teams in baseball. Yes. So there's a lot of pressure, a lot of eyeballs on her. A lot of pressure. She's no stranger to all of that. Looking forward to it. Dimitri, always great to catch up with you. Congrats on all the success to deal with the zone. Looking forward to it. Demetri, always great to catch up with you. Congrats on all the success to deal with his own. Looking forward to the 26th of July. Clarissa headlining at Little Caesars. Thank you so much. I'll see you soon. There he is. The great Demetri

Salida, the president of Salida Promotions. They once told me that the Little Caesars arena is known as the big breadstick. Because of the breadsticks at the pizza you know Little Caesar. I've never actually had Little Caesars but I hear it's good. It's a phenomenal arena home of the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately their season ended a little earlier than a lot of them in Detroit wanted due to the New York Knicks. That's a different show we could talk about that later but great stuff from Dimitri and yes he is right Clarissa

No matter who she's fighting must see TV anytime she fights It's always a big deal and she is one of the greatest of all time I think we all just want to see her in big-time fights against big-time opponents and the biggest one out there is Savannah And if it ain't Savannah, maybe it is Shadesha Green if in fact she could get by Savannah on the 11th of July I am told as I like I don't know if you guys notice I'm like sort of bending over here because my back is hurting so much from carrying this show which has two names on it but I'm told superstar A-list football presenter Adele Adipo has carved out some time for us little people on his own show.

And there he is without further ado. One second, one second, one second. Did River Plot get it done? One second, one second. So you're back hurting for carrying the show? What about carrying the broadcast? What about carrying the broadcast? I do the football, then the boxing, then the football, then the boxing.

You're doing the intros and the outro. What about the glaze? What about the glaze? We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show.

We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show. We showed it at the top of the show. We showed then the football, then the boxing. Yeah, you're doing the intros and the outro. What about the glaze? What about the glaze? We showed it at the top of the show. We counted 48 sirs to David Beckham. We played that clip. We don't have to do it again. The glazing was unbelievable. What was going on there?

Were you just losing your mind standing next to Sir David? Hey, I was losing my mind because he's from East London, like my neck of the woods. I'm from East London. I was like, my God, he's there, Sir David Beckham. And what, it doesn't show. Eric, you've done these things, court side, pitch side, whatever side. It's crazy. It's manic. And all of a sudden we're doing our thing.

And oh, wait, Beckham's coming. I'm like, well, one second, you haven't prepped me for this. Even Beckham's coming. And he just walks in and then he, you know, all the problems of ears. I couldn't really hear what he was saying, he couldn't hear what I was saying. I was like, this is crazy, but we're gonna get through it, and nobody at home is gonna know.

And then when I watched it back, I was like, okay, I've called him so many times. But I was just far too excited. I got too excited. Like, hey, Beckham and I had it on a depot, in the same frame. Everyone wanted it, you got it, there you go, have it. First time chatting with him?

First time, no, first time him chatting with me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, no, you're right, you're right. That's what you meant. Messi, Beckham, you're doing it all over there, presenting the Club World Cup. I'm loving it, and I'm in particular loving how close all the matches are. I mean, that Bayern Munich versus Auckland City slobberknocker

was something to behold. 10-0. I kind of actually love that. Here's some of the highlights here. Take us through this, Adé. Walk us through these highlights. It's, you know, it's, you know, we'll say this, by a minute, you're one of the biggest clubs ever

in world football. Auckland City, everyone watching this at home that don't know, are part-time footballers. I.e. these guys have real jobs. I think the goalkeeper was saying that he had to take time off work to play in this tournament. Thereon, I kid you not, $90 a week in per DMs. That's what they were on. So this is, this is literally, it's almost like an FA Cup game. You get a non league football side against a giant. And by the minute didn't

want to hold back, did they? It's like, okay, this is now six and seven. Can we stop? We're like, no, no, no, we want more. So clearly they're on goal bonuses as well. No mercy rule. The biggest takeaway from this is that, there you go, Thomas Muller, the biggest takeaway from all of this is that by a minute scored 10 and Harry Kane didn't score any. That's the biggest takeaway. That's the biggest story. But yeah, I mean, you get those games, don't you? But it was quite, quite embarrassing. It was, it was amazing. And you know what? I saw a lot of people in the comments

actually giving the Auckland city guys a lot of love, saying like, hey, you know, you didn't give up. You're obviously playing against giants. Actually, when I saw who scored and I didn't see Kane among the scores, I was like, oh, I guess he didn't play. And there he was, he did play. So that's, that's unbelievable. What's it been like though?

I'm into it. I love a good summer football tournament. It's part of a tradition. This is a year that wouldn't have a big one on the men's side or women's side. They're revamping the whole thing. It's in America, which is great. Had a few friends go to the first match at MetLife a couple of days ago. What's it been like being a part of it for Dizone? it for Dizone? It's been fantastic. Honestly, I mean, you know how much I love football and obviously it's the same for you, right? I mean, you've really got into football in the last few years as well. But I think football is a massive thing. It's a global sport.

I think when football first came to America via what? Properly, anyway, the 1994 World Cup, it was still very alien. And I still have pictures of Diana Ross missing the penalty kick to open the tournament. It's a different kind of thing now in America. Now everyone knows football. Everyone knows not just who Messi is, but who the other stars of world football are. And we have, we have 32 teams that ordinarily

wouldn't really play each other. Like you would never get Auckland FC versus Bayern Munich. And yes, you are going to get some fresh ends, but I do think once we kind of get to the last 16, we're going to see the big boys, if you like, play each other. And I think these games are going to be fascinating. My question was, how serious are these clubs taking it? I think you can see by the squads they've sent out and starting 11 for the first games. Bayern Munich basically put out their best 11, even though they're playing a part-time side.

That shows how serious a lot of these guys are taking it. So, I mean, there are no tired legs. There's a lot of money involved in this tournament for all of these teams. So I think everyone's taken, taking it seriously. The first game I did into Miami versus LR Lee, there was 60,000 there. By the Munich's game against Auckland, 80,000. So I know there'll be a lot of activation, but no one's taking it seriously. It's nonsense. Well, I guess those two tendencies will tell you the completely different story. So I think it's fantastic.

I think the South American teams are gonna cause a few problems because they're so used to the heat, the weather, and traditionally they've always taken the club World Cup very seriously, whereas maybe the Europeans haven't. But with the money on offer now, I think everyone's taking it seriously. Are you allowed to make a pick?

I will make a pick if you want me to. Oh yeah, yeah, please, please. Who's winning? PSG. PSG, the current European champions. I just think they're on a roll. They played off Let's Go Madrid the other day, which is supposed to be kind of not a 50-50 game, but a close game and they destroyed them. They absolutely battered them.

So if PSG's players are on it, I think that is almost too good to stop right now. I think they're the best team in world football. They've got this perfect blend of youth and experience and a really good manager. And Luis Enrique is probably the best manager in the world. So if they really want it, and I believe they do, I think they're going to be very difficult to stop. You didn't ask me, but my pick is the Seattle Sounders. I think that they are formidable. Oh yeah, of course they are. Yes, yes, I think they're going to do great. No, I think that they are formidable. Yes, yes, I think they're gonna do great. No, I think Real Madrid. I think Real Madrid reminds everyone,

hey, we're still the Galacticos, I do believe it's called. Go on, look at you, Ari, you're football knowledge. I mean, why are you not working on the World Cup, Ari? I didn't get the call. I mean, what are they doing? I didn't get the call. And they dropped the ball, they dropped the ball. You know what, I would say Real Madrid as well,

but Trent left Liverpool, and I'm still hurt by this. So I just can't cheer them. That's it. My love for Romadrid is done now, forever. It's done. El Trent, El Trent, the Spanish speaking. Oh my God, it was unbelievable. I love that.

Let's talk about the fighting. Let's talk about the fighting. Let's go back to New York on Saturday. What about our guy, Richardson Hitchens? There was a lot of talk leading up to the fight and and Cambosis does this. He's not quite big baby Miller who I say like talks such a big game but doesn't I think back it up. Cambosis does a great job of promoting but perhaps he's on the back nine of the career

at this point. Hitchens is too young too good at this point and he proved his point. A beautiful body shot to end the affair in the eighth round. I was really impressed, especially with all the talk. You know, he comes off the big win over Paro. He's now back home. He's next door to the garden. This is your opportunity to tell the world, all right, I could be the future face of American boxing. As he is saying himself, I was impressed. Were you? Yeah, very. And it was perfect matchmaking because as as you say, Kambosos is on the back nine. He's not a 140-pounder, but he's got that story of Teofimo Lopez. So, Matt from

Adizome were very smart, right? They kept on playing that fight in the lead up to this, just to remind people that he could do this, he could do this, but that Kambosos is in the past. But what Kambosos does really well, and I like your point, I mean, he does talk the talk, but he fights as well. He walks the walk. He fights a lot of people and he'll give you good rounds at this stage of his career. But ultimately he's in there against someone that, as you say, is far too fresh and has now got tape on Kambosos as well. Kambosos isn't a surprise to anyone like he was against Teofimo. We've now seen him against Devin Haney. We've seen him against Loma. We've seen him against Maxi Hughes. So you know how to beat him now.

And I think Hitchens just showed that. I don't want to say he's the future of 140 pounds, but he's definitely now one of the top, top three or top four. He's fantastic. And there's now fights to be made. There is no excuse now for Hitchens not to fight one of the top dogs next,

be it Tiafimo Lopez, be it Devin Haney, maybe even a jump to 1-4-7 because he's very big at the weight. But I'm happy for him because there's a lot of talk about tickets not selling. I think Can Boasso said this, and then right towards the end there's always that kind of rush of tickets and it was nearly a sellout. So he's getting the fan base and what he needed wasn't just a good performance, he needed a stoppage and he got the stoppage. And he got the stoppage. And that's what fight fans unfortunately want nowadays. I think Turkey alluded to it, didn't he?

Said, no more running around. We want to see stoppages. And he got the stoppage. So it was almost like the perfect night out for him. I don't think that's unfortunate. I think people always want stoppages. They always want knockouts. It always helps propel your career.

And not only was the action great, but his post fight interview was great as well. We played it at the top of the show. I mean, the call out of Devin Haney was hilarious. Haney responds, but him dropping that he was going to head into free agency really seemed to irk Eddie Hearn. I mean, Eddie Hearn seemed like very disrespected by it. And I understand to a degree where he's coming from, where Hearn is coming from.

They have done a lot for Hitchens. They, they really have put him in some big spots, including that power fight and this fight as well. You know, it's part of the game. We had Clarissa in studio talking about how she's going to be a free agent after her fight on July 26th, and I'm sure Demetri Salida didn't like that as well. But it was interesting to see just how bothered Eddie Hearn was.

Were you surprised by that? Well, how bothered Eddie was or by Hitchens saying he was a free agent? No, I was, I was, Hitchens, everyone's a free agent, but Eddie seemed very disrespected by the fact that Hitchens went on the microphone in that moment to say I'm heading into free agent, free agency. That's what he said. It did surprise me. Yeah. Yeah. No, I think it surprised me and I'm not surprised by Eddie's reaction. I've obviously worked with Eddie now for four or five years. So I kind of know the person Eddie

is. And I, to a point, I think Eddie's got right to be aggrieved by it. You know, you ask a lot of people who Hitchens was prior to his last couple of fights and a few people would have scratched their heads. Those that know, know, right? Those hardcore boxing fans would have known who Hitchens was. But the idea was to take him from a hardcore boxing fan base to a casual boxing fan base. And I think we can say and agree that Eddie's done a good job with him. Great job. The Liam Parrow headline. Yeah, the Liam Parrow headline in Puerto Rico. I'm guessing Eddie made a big loss on that, right? I mean, it was pretty much empty, right? But he got him

his world title. Then he gets him a world title defense against a guy that can sell the fight in Ken Bosses in his hometown. So if I'm Eddie, I'm like, one second, I've delivered, but I've done my part. You know, we both done our parts, but I've done my part as a promoter because I've kind of taken you from a point of view where no one really knew you to the point where everyone knows you now because every time I speak, I tell people how good you are. So if I'm Eddie, it kind of won a little bit of loyalty. I know that doesn't really exist in boxing, but if you're Eddie, you've got a right to kind of say, well, what's going on here?

But I think Eddie's starting to realize that the American boxers are very different from the UK boxers. UK boxers have this kind of loyalty to Eddie where they'll sign eight, nine fight deals. The American boxers, Edgar Balanga, Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, it's either two fight deals or fight by fight deals. And I don't think Eddie's used to that yet. He's expecting a bit more loyalty to kind of grow in their brand and basically giving them what they asked for. And then by doing that, he's thinking, okay, that's it. Now you're mine for a couple more years, but these guys are like, no, free agents, which does surprise me. Shakur Stevenson as well, right? Two fight deal with him and now it seems like they're

splitting up after this fight on July 12th. If you had to choose between Haney or Lopez for Hitchens next, what do you like better? In the Haney fight as he tweeted he would want it at 47, which do you prefer? Lopez. Yeah me too. Yeah Lopez. Lopez is the? Lopez. Yeah, me too. Yeah, Lopez. Lopez is the 140 guy. Yeah.

Lopez is the 140 guy who's got a belt. Richardson-Hitchens has got a belt. Let's get a unification fight. Go on, let's do that. I think that's the more exciting fight as well. I think both of those guys will stand in trade. I think it's a really good fight. I mean, look, ultimately it's one A, one B.

I'm not mad at Haney either, but I think I like the Richardson-Hitchens fight as well. It's weird where this Heiny beef hatred has come from because I've always thought there was an issue between Hitchens and Tia Fomilopas. Now all of a sudden, Heiny's there. I don't know if Hitchens views Devin Heiny as a bigger money fight maybe,

I'm not quite sure, but I think I prefer Tia versus Hitchens. Yeah, see there's a Devin's reaction right after the callout so he was clearly watching or at least someone told him about it But yes, I'd like to see him continue at a hundred and and forty pounds Andy Cruz looked good once again And I was wondering because he was fighting in New York Which is where we recently saw a Keishon Davis fight Is it time to finally try to make that fight or are we further away from that fight now because of what happened to Keishon Davis a couple of weeks ago in Virginia?

No, I think boxing fans forgive and forget. He missed weight. He's not going to be the first person. I think he knows he done wrong. The whole boxing world, the whole boxing community has said he's done wrong. I think it's time just to kind of make amends. And the best thing for Keishon Davis, and I've always said this for fighters that maybe look like they've got outside noise, is get in the ring. That's ultimately the best place for them. Get in the fight cam, get in the ring and do what you do best. And as much as Kishon Davis irked me by what he did by not making weight, I still think he's one of the best fighters in the world. I still think he's the top pound for Pounder in the next 12 to 18 months.

And he has a big itch to scratch. And that itch is Andy Cruz, who's beaten him numerous times in the amateurs. I think it's a fight you make now. Because I do think Keyshawn's grown out of the weight class. And I'm not just saying that because he missed weight. I've always said that I think Keyshawn's got the frame to go to 140 or 147. Whereas I think Andy Cruz looks like a 135 guy. So if I'm Andy, I'm trying to make it now before Kishon gets a bit too big.

And then it's almost an impossible fight. Like the kind of fights we've missed with Tiofuma Lopez, for example, versus a Jabonte Davis, which is never going to happen. Make the fight now whilst they're still around the same weight class. And let's get a big fight on. That's a big, big fight. Very big fight. And let's be honest.

I mean, if you can do it in the next 12 months, it's a unification fight as well. Yeah. By the way, there were a lot of great performances on this card. Shout out to Zaqueen Moses, who's a cousin of Shakur Stevenson. Also, I do want to give a shout out to Taramana Taramana. I love this guy. This dude, he's unbelievable, right? I mean, he's just a, he's a sight to behold. He's interesting because I've met him a few times when we've spoken, I met him at the airport. When I say he's the nicest guy you could meet, very reminiscent of a Joseph Parker type nice. And we know how much you like Joseph Parker, but when he steps through the ropes, there's a switch. And then he does this after the fights. So literally he can only be mean in between the ref saying,

fighting the bell going, and then he just becomes nice again. But he's a big heavyweight. Eddie wanted to kind of plant that seed in America so they can know who he is early, which I think is smart because he's still on what I think that's his fifth or sixth fight or maybe even less than that. So I think it's smart what Eddie's doing. And he's got a few sort of heavyweights

from down under coming through. I think we saw that what Eddie's doing. And he's got a few sort of heavyweights from down under coming through. I think we saw that against Fabio Wardley. So Eddie's got them. Justice Hoonig is who I'm referring to. So Eddie's building that nice stable in Australia for something really big there, I think. I mean, we've had big fights there, but I almost feel like there's going to be this blockbuster stadium fight soon with all the talents he's got. But look out for that guy, because I think he's a very, very big threat

in the next sort of two years in the heavyweight division. Improved to 8-0, Terra Mana, Terra Mana. Ah, there you go, okay. Shout out to the big man. Let's talk about some other news and notes, and I think, speaking of Eddie Hearn, one of the big ones since we last spoke is the revelation that Jaren Boots Ennis

is in fact finally going to move up to 154, something that he's talked about for a minute or two, but itnis is in fact finally going to move up to 154. Something that he's talked about for a minute or two, but it sounds like he's finally going to do it. If you were the matchmaker, who does Boots Ennis fight at 154 pounds in his next fight? You know, you know who I'm gonna say, it's gotta be Virgil or Tiz.

I mean, it has to be Virgil or Tiz. I followed, yeah, I followed their journey for nearly two years. They were supposed to fight at 147. The rumors about them fighting at 147 were never going away. And now all of a sudden, they're both at 154. And I like it, because Boots Ennis is a big 147, but ultimately once you jump and have a weight class,

you realize you're just the same size. Well, you get the chance to test the waters against a guy that's your size. Virgil is the same size as Boots. In fact, I'll tell you Boots is bigger than Virgil. I think it's a fantastic fight for both. It's a massive fight as well. Honestly, it's an enormous fight in the 154 pound division. I think that's the easiest fight to make. Virgil, and I know for a fact we'll take that fight in a heartbeat. I've spoken to Virgil about it so many times. To me, all the weight and pressure is on boots. Do you want to test the waters first and fight a top 15 guy? Or,

as I think you should, as an unbeaten world champion coming from weight class below, you take on the big dogs immediately. No easy goes here. Take on one of the big dogs immediately. And Virgil O'Teese, to me, is a top 354 pounder. And let's see what you made of, boots. I think it's, I'm not trying to say I think Virgil beats him, but I think it's a 50-50 scrap between two very good fighters. And that's what we want in boxing. I don't want to see him have a walkover. I don't want to see him take on someone that's been beaten a few times just to kind of see

how he feels. No, no, no. You're a big dog. Call out the big dogs and let's see two big dogs go at it. Well, what I like about this is that his team said essentially that he's underperforming because of the weight cut. And I thought he looked very good against Dain Jonas.

I thought it was his best performance of maybe his last two or three fights. Certainly the best since he linked up with Matroom. But if he's gonna be healthier now, if he's gonna be bigger, stronger at 154 pounds, and we know how good he is, we know how talented he is. By the way, we're talking about the face of American boxing. It could still be him. I asked Salida that question.

He said Terrence Crawford, fair play. That's probably the guy he is fighting in front of a lot of people in September, but he isn't going to be around for a very long time. And who knows? If Crawford doesn't win that fight and goes back to a more natural 154 pounds, Boots versus Crawford would be a gigantic one down the line. Maybe this time next year or something like that. Who knows? I'm not counting, you know, my chickens before they hatch here, but Boots could be that guy. He has what it

takes. It just seems like at 147, he sucked everything out of him. So I love this. I love everything about it, regardless of who he fights next. Yeah. And the only issue with it being Virgil, and so I kind of take back all that screaming it has to be Virgil, is that Virgil, I think Boots needs an antagonizer. Like the way Hitchens have Kambosos. So Hitchens almost didn't have to say anything. Although he did speak, he's got Kambosos to do all the speaking for him. Boots doesn't talk. I mean, for as good as Boots is in the ring, outside the ring, you're not getting much from Boots. You've had him on your show before, Arrow. You know he's like, what I'm talking about. Tough.

You almost need someone. It's tough. It's a tough ask. He needs someone that will talk and do all the setting, and then Boots goes in and looks electric. And by default, he almost takes their fan base. There isn't really that guy at 154. That's why he's almost going to have to go in there and become that guy. Sometimes you've got to drag these guys and say like it boots. If you want to be the superstar that we think you can be, doing it in the ring maybe isn't enough. Maybe you've got to start to show your personality outside the ring a little bit. But there are great fights from 154. So even if it's not Virgil,

I mean, there's Madrimov, there's Boychuk, there's Xander Zayas, even before we get to the champions. So there are so many good fights out there before we even get to the belt holders. So no excuse for Boots and Eddie to say, oh, it's this guy who we don't know. No, no, no, we don't want that. We don't want that anymore. We want big names. He's not 21, 22. You're a grown man, an unbeaten champion,

a pound for pounder, big names only. Couple of weeks ago, actually more like a couple of months ago, I should say. Remember when we had Deontay Wilder on the program? And well, it was a little bit chaotic because he was in his car and there was a lot going on, but it was great to get some sort of insight, some sort of window into his soul right now.

Well, I actually spoke to him yesterday, Ade, and his fight is, return fight is coming up. It's in less than two weeks time. It's on the 27th of June. And man, this was, this was a journey. I mean, some of the answers were like eight, nine minutes long. And you know, Deontay, very passionate, very thoughtful, and can take you to some deep and dark places. Just want to play you a very quick clip from this and get your reaction. And while you're watching this, maybe ponder what you want out of Deontay Wilder

because he told me that he already has something lined up, he didn't want to say what it was, but it was something overseas. And the only thing I can think about is an Anthony Joshua fight, I don't know if that's the one. Obviously he has to win on the 27th of June to get to that fight, but here's the quick clip and then we'll react.

When you said a few years back that, I remember when you said this, and I actually on my show, I'd never met you before, but I was sort of defending you because I remember when you said that you wanted to catch a body, when you wanted a body on your resume. And I was like, everyone's kind of,

everyone came after you for saying that. You shouldn't say that if you're a boxer, this is not the right thing to say. I understood where you were coming from. You know, this is the same thing we say, I want to go out there and knock out my opponent, I want to kill my opponent. I didn't take it literally, but a lot of people did.

And I'm only asking that because I'm wondering, does that same guy exist? Do you want that guy to exist anymore? Or are you a different fighter than the one who said that? Look, look, look, nothing that I say that I don't regret saying. I don't take it back. People gotta understand the structure of the business that I'm in.

This is not, we don't play, this is not no sport that we play. You can't put play on boxing because it's not a sport. Now, to say boxing is a sport, it's a masking agent to cover up what the real thing, this is a fucking gladiator sport. You got to have a heart of a line. It's one of, it's a one percent. That's why you don't see many people in this business because they won't do it. They're scared

to do it. That's why you had to put, take your hat off for every fighter that stepped inside that ring over those ropes or under those ropes because they're the 1% that'll get in there. They'll do it. Many people on the outside can talk. They can say many things or whatever they want. But if I say something and you don't agree with it,

if I say I wanted to kill them and all that, then you just as good as me because your ass pams to see it happen. Yeah. I wanted to kill him and all that then you just as get this me because your ass Pam to see it happen Yeah Because you don't understand What we have to do what we have to provide? mentally physically and mostly and you as you see all my beautiful children that come out, but I Certain points of the time I had to get in the ring. I had to fight

I don't know if I'm gonna get out of this motherfucker when I step in it That's facts. Over 13 fighter dies a year and it's probably up more than that that's just only been reported. How many other fighters, how many other athlete dies in their sport? Because in boxing, we don't play shit. We ain't practicing for nothing.

We're training. We're training to kill. And you gotta understand the concept. We ain't practicing for nothing. We're training. We're training to kill. And you gotta understand the concept. So that's just like one fifth of the answer, Adé. But it was intense stuff. And what was so, I thought he was gonna say, that guy's not here, I'm a different guy.

He doesn't walk it back. You remember that whole controversy, right? I want a body on my resume. He's in Gareth A. Davis' face. The question is though, can that guy return? Is it possible at 39 for him to be here? Or is that just all talk and we're about to find out that he's the same guy who got knocked out by Zhile Zhang last year?

I believe he thinks it can come back. I mean, I've covered these last couple of fights. I've sat down with him and that version of Giontowada that you just showed me there, had vanished. And it was more of a mellow and relaxed and I'm happy to be here. And I was like, okay, one second, you're going to need to kind of bring the bronze bomber back. So I almost feel like there's two characters. There is the Deontay Wilder, the family man, looks after his kids, his family, et cetera. But then there's this version of Jonse that knows

in order to get the job done, he needs to switch that guy back up again. I don't know if at 39 and suffering the defeats he's had that he can come back, but I think he's got enough to get the job done in a couple of weeks time, but it's not that level we're talking about. We're talking about the next level up

or next several levels up. And I just don't know if that guy can do it anymore. He's taken quite a bit of punishment. Those Tyson Fury fights were punishing. You know, I watched one back the other day, the second one, when he got stopped and the towel came in. And I remember thinking, that's a lot of punishment for a guy that's nearly three stone heavier than him. So, but I hope he can because he's a character. I mean, he speaks to Deontuwa. It's almost like he's speaking to one of those American pastors and he offers a lot.

But if I'm honest, I'd rather see him not fight again. But I'll tune in, you know, I'll tune in to watch him fight. But I think the best Deontay Wilder, this is nothing radical to say, but the best Deontay Wilder is sort of maybe, maybe nearly a decade in the past, let alone a few years in the past. So I'm not quite sure. One of the themes of this year has been, oh, there's a big fight coming up if this guy just

gets by this upcoming not so big fight. And for some reason, I could just feel something happening, right? Friday night, Wichita, Kansas, Tyrell Herndon. Oh yeah, maybe there's a finally an AJ fight at the other side of the rainbow or I don't know a Bacolet or God knows who he's talking about an overseas fight is what he said and then you know, he slips I don't know It just it just feels like that's been the theme this year in boxing and so let's see what it all Translates into but it was it was it was interesting to see that old version of him come back Hey speaking of coming back at a we talked a couple of weeks ago about Hami Mongia's B sample. We know after the Bruno Saras fight that the A sample revealed PDs in a system.

Well, the Ring Magazine and Mike Coppager in particular is reporting that the B sample has come back and confirmed the A sample result and it is for the, it's a tough word here, exogenous, origin of testosterone, synthetic testosterone. Is that the way to pronounce it? Exogenous? Am I saying that correctly? Yeah. Wow. I said exogenous. We know it's a performance enhancing drug regardless of the pronunciation. And now look, we, we like, we always do with boxing and wait to see what, what the punishment is going to be for the crime. Right. And there'll be some boxing fans that

expect nothing, six months, 12 months. And there'll be some like myself that's hoping for something a bit more severe, four year, a lifetime ban. I know that might sound strong, but I've said this for a long time, boxing needs to make an example of someone. It's almost becoming quite comical now where these high profile boxers, high profile, so the biggest names in the sport that are tested positive for whatever PD in their system

are getting 12 months and it's just not enough. There's no deterrent. Like 12 months is not enough because these boxers only fight once or twice a year. So what's 12 months? You're missing out on a year. He still gets paid for his fight. He could have damaged Bruno Suarez. What's Bruno Suarez's want here? What does he get? And that's why when everyone was laughing at Devin Haney for trying to sue Ryan Garcino, they're like, why are you laughing? These boxers have almost got to take it upon themselves to do something because they can't

trust the athletic commission to do it for them. So I wait to see. I don't even know who was looking after that fight. When I've gone to Saudi, sometimes the British boxing board of control. Yeah, this is the... This is the... This is? Let's see what the British boxing board of control do here then.

Obviously they could overturn it to a no contest, but that could be the least of his problems, right? I mean there's suspensions and fines. He has just literally a minute ago, I just got this in my inbox, he has released a statement, Jaime Monquilla has quote, I have spent my entire career in life doing things the right way and this is no exception. I love boxing and I'm the first one who wants to clear everything up because boxing is my life. I can't wait to get back in the ring. We're going to prove that we never disrespected the sport, my opponents or misled the fans.

This is from team Mongia. Now, Jaime remains unwavering in his commitment to clean competition and we will continue to work closely with experts and relevant authorities to reach full clarity. We will provide updates as new information becomes available. In the meantime, we thank you for your continued support. They've been very helpful. and we will continue to work closely with experts and relevant authorities to reach full clarity. We will provide updates as new information becomes available. In the meantime, we thank you for your continued support. They've also said, at this stage, we are still awaiting clarification from specialists

regarding the specific levels detected in the samples. As the next step, our team is submitting a list of all supplements and products Jaime used to a WADA-accredited laboratory for testing. This is critical in helping determine So there you have it. Tough times for Jaime Muiguiya, especially coming off the shocking loss. And as we talked about a couple of weeks ago, the notion that he came off this shocking loss to a relatively unknown fighter named Bruno Sarasin and thought, okay, I need to do something to make sure this doesn't happen. And so he's going to be in the hospital for a few weeks.

And then he's going to be in the hospital for a few weeks. And then he's going to be in the hospital for a few weeks. And then he's going to be in the hospital for a few weeks. about a couple of weeks ago, the notion that he came off this shocking loss to a relatively unknown fighter named Bruno Sarasin and thought, okay, I need to do something to make sure this doesn't happen again, isn't the craziest thought. It is certainly not the craziest thought. No, no, no. And by the way, you can understand how, and first and foremost, before, you know, as a, yes, I'm a broadcaster now and yes, I covered a small box, but first and foremost,

I'm a fan and I have a fan, I've seen too many boxers as positive for performance enhancing drugs. And then see a lawyer written statement as if to say, I don't know what happened. And we've been through it too many times. And all those times a lawyer wrote a statement, nothing's come out of it. It's not like, oh, they've proven somehow that this got into their system. Nothing. And it's not just boxing. I mean, my second love is athletics. Same thing. So I don't believe anyone anymore. If you've tested, there are too many athletes that do it clean for me to believe you when you've been caught.

So no, I'm just not accepting it anymore from any of these boxes. Something needs to happen because I said and maybe I'm wrong because, you know, you cover MMA as well, which is a dangerous sport, but I've always said I think boxing is the most dangerous sport in the world, the most dangerous. So when someone comes into the ring fully loaded with performance enhancing substances in their system, I'm out. Check me out. So no, no, no, I don't believe it at all. In addition to all the great action as far

as the Club World Cup going on right now on the zone, every single match on the zone, it's another busy schedule coming up this weekend. We've got BKFC in Fort Worth, Texas. Hey, this. Look at this. Oh, Andre. Yes, dude. Yes. This is going to be so violent. Oh! Andre Aralofsky against Josh Copeland. My dude! Oh god this is going to be so violent. This is going to be one of the ones where you watch with your hand like that over your face. Yeah, Andre Aralofsky, huggy bear. BKFC 76 in Fort Worth, Texas. Jessica I, former UFC fighter, also making her BKFC debut. And yeah, I mean, it's usually good for five or six vicious and brutal knockouts. That's Saturday evening, Saturday afternoon here in the United States. We have the return of one of the brightest young stars coming up in the UK scene, Galalia

Fye, who's coming off that great win over Sonny Edwards just a few months back. This is a big one. Now, are you working this card as well? I'm not, unfortunately. I begged to do it. I begged. They're like, I don't know what you've got to do the club walk. I was like, I don't need sleep. I can do this. Let me go, please. I want to watch your fight. Because if I think that a special Olympic gold medalist on the cusp of becoming, I think, a genuine superstar. He really should have after meeting Sonny Edwards. But I feel like they didn't really capitalize on that beating of Sonny. Why not? Because it almost, because I felt like it was a case of Sonny was past his best, as

opposed to Galau being just that good. When you beat someone and they retire, it's like, ah, it was at the end anyway. Okay. And I don't think it was that. I just think Galau was just so special. So I think they're just trying to maybe get allowed to something really good over in America in the next 12 months. But obviously this coming up on the weekend is going to be a tough test. But yeah, very upset that they didn't think I, Adiola Dupont, was capable of doing football and then boxing. I mean, what's going on? I did back to back football then I do this show. Like why do they feel like I can't do it?

Yeah. Are you doing more games later on today or are you done? I'm going home to sleep. Because there are more games, right? There's games going on in like an hour. Like games going on in an hour's time. Who does those? Olivia Badaigle, they've got Christian Vieri, he's played for Inter Mlandy. Of course. He was with them in Miami, he was chilling.

Love Olivia. Leanne Sanderson, he plays for Arsenal, England. NBD. NBD. Must be nice, must be nice. I mean, I'm here in the United States. No one called me. I'm still waiting for the phone call. We'll see.

Maybe as they get... They're saving it for the semi-final and final in New York. That's what I've been told. Makes sense. Well, shout out to Galalia Fai and shout out to you. You're doing tremendous work, but shout out to everyone's favorite segment of the week. It is time for our parting shot and Ade, a this way stop stop no no stop stop well what if this if this isn't a BKFC or bare-knuckle knockout well they don't

have one and I'm gonna close my laptop sorry sorry I saw one on the most violent knockout and I think you even put it on your unproud Instagram page I'm sorry if it's not bad and we obviously this is getting silly. I have some tremendous news for you because you are getting good at all this. Of course it is not that. It is my good friend, the pride of Albania, Adam Maka, making his pro debut on Saturday. What do you think of Adam Maka in studio last week? Telling me, Ade, that he could beat Naoya Inoue right now. 18 years young. I love the energy. He said, right now beat Naoya Inoue right now. 18 years young.

He said right now give me Inoue. Well, he's 1-0 as a pro. He's another member of the Sam Jones stable, a very prestigious stable, and he wins in his pro debut at the theater right next door to Madison Square Garden. Look, he was very excited. I think some people were like, eh, wasn't all that impressed.

You know, he was a little sloppy, this, that. 18 years old, give the guy a break. He gets the stoppage. He's well on his way. What do you say? Yeah, I mean, 18 years old, by the way, this is the wrong part in shot, but it's okay. 18 years old, making his debut,

the small arena, MSG. I mean, you got to love it. And he came into your show, he was talking the talk. And what made me laugh is you were trying to help him. You're like, would you fight Inoue? Yeah, yeah. I see what you were trying to do. Like, no, no, I'll beat Inoue.

And you were like, what? You know, no, no, no, no, I'm trying to help you. The same Inoue? Would you fight him? The same guy? You know about his brother or his cousin? No, no, no, they're Inoue. But look, good luck to him, man.

I mean, it's the start of a journey. And the problem is Sam Jones now has got a problem because when you're used to fighting and big shows like that and coming onto the Ariel Hovani show and what's Sam gonna do next? I mean, you can't put him in a small arena at your home. You can't go to York Hall, that's right.

You can't go to the OVO. No. No, no chance. You gotta be like the O2 arena or whatever. It's gotta be Vegas, T-Mobile, whatever. A copper box. You can't go to the copper box. Yeah. No, no, what? He'll turn it down.

Yeah. No, he has a shot. So, Sam's got a problem, but good luck to him. Well done. I like seeing guys on their sort of first steps on the ladder. Yeah. And I like the confidence, but with that confidence comes a massive bullseye, right? You talk that talk and you slip in your fifth fight or something like that. Everyone's like, no good. But I like it. And I thought it was an apropos parting shot. I'm loving the Club World Cup, my friend. My kids and I are watching it. We are genuinely enjoying it. It's fun to see who's taking it seriously, who's not, and I think it's going to get better. And I love that it's happening here in America because A,

the time, the slots are great. The schedule is fantastic for us, not so much for you guys. And it's great to see D'Zone front and center. And it's great to see you, most importantly, front and center throughout it all. So keep up the great work. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on your own show. We appreciate you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Frank. Thank you. I was like going slowly. Come on, Frank. Get there, Frank. Come on. Frank, you know, we don't get paid by the area show number what 25 31 31 but who's counting what yeah 31 how about

that crazy right I've not been paid the invoice for the last six I have to just double check that I need to double check that time fly time fly you're working tomorrow you're doing the games tomorrow so I'm saying. Who do we have on the spot right now? Who's playing? I'm not doing tomorrow. I'm doing Thursday. Close enough. Close enough. Day off. You deserve it. You deserve it. Thank you very much, Ade. Appreciate you. Good luck the rest of the way. Of course, we'll talk to you next week.

And of course, thank you very much to the great Dimitri Salida. Appreciate his time as well. Thanks to all of you. Thanks to all of them. Back Salida. Appreciate his time as well. Thanks to all of you. Thanks to all of them. Back next week. Appreciate you all. Enjoy the fights.