The Boxing Esq. Podcast

Boxing Esq. Podcast #78 - Adam Abramowitz

It was a pleasure to have back on the pod - writer from The Ring and the Saturday Night Boxing blog - Adam Abramowitz. Adam and I recapped Saturday Night’s Ring IV - Night of Champions card - going in depth on Abdullah Mason’s hard fought win over Sam Noakes, Bam Rodriguez’s masterclass KO over Puma Martinez, Devin Haney’s underwhelming win over Brian Norman and David Benavidez domination of Anthony Yarde. We also got into what’s next for the victors. We also talked about the state of PPV in the sport and how just in the last few years there have been many fluctuations in pricing and differing approaches by promoters and networks. We discussed DAZN’s plan for at least 12 PPVs in 2026 and we went through our lists of 12 potential PPVs (or fewer) that we thought were worthy of the PPV designation in 2026. It was a fun and interesting one - hope you enjoy.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #77 - Larry Goldberg

My guest this episode is local promoter Larry Goldberg, of Boxing Insider Promotions. Larry has a show coming up on Friday at the Tropicana in Atlantic City featuring unbeaten junior middleweight Justin Figueroa in the main event with Heavyweight contender Otto Wallin returning in the co-feature. We talked about how Larry started out as an online journalist, forming one of the first boxing websites covering the sport - boxinginsider.com, and how he’s made the transition from journalism to promoter. We also discussed the trials and tribulations of being a club promoter in the NYC area. How the costs of doing shows (including the most expensive insurance in the nation) makes things very difficult. Larry also spoke about his acceptance of being capped at the club level and maybe becoming a feeder promoter for what he believes will be the Zuffa Boxing/TKO takeover of boxing. It was an interesting one - hope you enjoy.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #76 - Erik Magraken

My guest on the podcast is Erik Magraken, a managing law partner at McIsaac & Company in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, who has done work with the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and maintains the excellent Combat Sports Law Blog that is a great resource for combat sports issues. We discuss the bill proposed by Georgia Congressman Brian Jack to amend the Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and curtail the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000. They’ve named the bill The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. Erik and I discuss whether this bill is actually about reviving American boxing, or is it just cover for the UFC to bring their practices of being the promoter and sanctioning body over to boxing, We also get into the support that the ABC lent the bill and whether they consulted with the Athlete’s Voice Committee or even their full membership before endorsing the proposed bill. We also recap what’s good and bad about the status quo under the Ali Act and how things may look if this proposed bill is passed and become law. It was an informative conversation - hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #75 - Jose Corpas

My guest on the podcast is one of my favorite storytellers in the sport and one of my favorite writers in general, Mr. Jose Corpas. Jose has a new book out called the 4-Belt Error, where he retroactively goes back in time and issues belts to the deserving fighters of yesteryear to put them on an even footing with fighters of today who have more opportunities to win belts and be called a champion. We got into all aspects of the book and talked about some the fighters of the past who deserve to held in higher esteem, including Peter Jackson, Willie Meehan, Luis Firpo, Dave Shade, Kid Azteca and Rodolfo "Chango" Casanova. We also talked about Jose’s family and roots in Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Brooklyn. His fandom for the Pittsburgh Pirates and neighborhood hero John Candelaria. We spoke about his previous books Black Ink and New York’s Greatest Fighters and finally, we got into what he thinks the future of American boxing looks like. It was a fun, wide-ranging and informative conversation - hope you enjoy.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #74 - John Nash

I’m finally back with my friend John Nash from the excellent Hey Not The Face Podcast. We got into all aspects of the newly announced Saudi-TKO team up to do a so-called boxing league. We discussed both Dana White and Turki Alalsheikh’s statements about the league during their press tour this week. We also talked about what this league would actually look lime and its likelihood of success. We then talked about how this league fit in with the rest of the Turkiverse and how it differs from the Riyadh Season, Ring Magazine and WBC Grand Prix events that Turki or Saudi are funding. We also queried how some of these entities might not withstand Ali Act scrutiny. It was an informative conversation - hope you enjoy.