Emiliano Vargas pulls up on RING CHAMPS just days after his statement win at a sold-out Barclays Center, and the fastest-rising name in the Vargas dynasty holds nothing back. The undefeated 22-year-old gets real about answering Ryan Garcia’s verbal jab, why he believes Vargas vs. Garcia sells out a stadium. Plus, sparring Shakur Stevenson as a 17-year-old, and the only fighter who ever hurt him in the ring.

He also takes us inside the most surreal stretch of his young career: the locker room during Xander Zayas’ loss to Boots Ennis, the phone call telling him Bad Bunny personally picked him for the Super Bowl halftime show, and the casino run that cost him $16,000 in an hour. Plus his brothers’ bare-knuckle debut in London, the lessons pulled from his father, Fernando’s, career, and the untold story of the pro fight he took with no team and his barber working the mitts.

0:00 Intro
0:47 Vargas Brothers in boxing & family competition
3:18 Staying focused despite money & fame
7:22 Learning from his brothers’ mistakes
11:08 AD BREAK
13:28 Falling in love with boxing as a kid
15:13 Amateur career & traveling the world
17:52 Sparring wars with his brothers growing up
21:33 Ryan Garcia
23:24 His father’s legacy: Tito Trinidad and beyond
27:28 Breaking down the Xander Zayas vs. Boots Ennis fight
32:58 Super Bowl halftime show & meeting Bad Bunny
36:41 Sparring Shakur Stevenson & Jorge Linares
43:17 Dream fight: Ryan Garcia & next opponents
47:42 Untold Stories
58:19 Rapid-fire Qs, dad’s best advice & money stories

Emiliano Vargas pulls up on RING CHAMPS just days after his statement win at a sold-out Barclays Center, and the fastest-rising name in the Vargas dynasty holds nothing back. The undefeated 22-year-old gets real about answering Ryan Garcia&rsquo;s verbal jab, why he believes Vargas vs. Garcia sells out a stadium. Plus, sparring Shakur Stevenson as a 17-year-old, and the only fighter who ever hurt him in the ring. He also takes us inside the most surreal stretch of his young career: the locker room during Xander Zayas&rsquo; loss to Boots Ennis, the phone call telling him Bad Bunny personally picked him for the Super Bowl halftime show, and the casino run that cost him $16,000 in an hour. Plus his brothers&rsquo; bare-knuckle debut in London, the lessons pulled from his father, Fernando&rsquo;s, career, and the untold story of the pro fight he took with no team and his barber working the mitts.
0:00 Intro 0:47 Vargas Brothers in boxing &amp; family competition 3:18 Staying focused despite money &amp; fame 7:22 Learning from his brothers&rsquo; mistakes 11:08 AD BREAK 13:28 Falling in love with boxing as a kid 15:13 Amateur career &amp; traveling the world 17:52 Sparring wars with his brothers growing up 21:33 Ryan Garcia 23:24 His father&rsquo;s legacy: Tito Trinidad and beyond 27:28 Breaking down the Xander Zayas vs. Boots Ennis fight 32:58 Super Bowl halftime show &amp; meeting Bad Bunny 36:41 Sparring Shakur Stevenson &amp; Jorge Linares 43:17 Dream fight: Ryan Garcia &amp; next opponents 47:42 Untold Stories 58:19 Rapid-fire Qs, dad&rsquo;s best advice &amp; money stories

Bringing you the newest series from ATS Fight, RING CHAMPS with Ak & Barak. Weekly episodes of RING CHAMPS will feature exclusive interviews with top fighters, trainers, and luminaries in the sport of boxing, along with in-depth analysis of the most culturally relevant news in the ever-changing game.

Bringing you the newest series from ATS Fight, RING CHAMPS with Ak & Barak.

Ring Champs with Ak & Barak

Emiliano Vargas: Ryan Garcia’s Callout, Sparring Shakur at 17 & The Bad Bunny Super Bowl Call

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ce68eb0a-88a7-4faf-9e50-b482012629d6/transcript

One of the most influential promoters in combat sports history sits down with Ak and Barak. Scott Coker built Strikeforce from scratch, developed Ronda Rousey, Daniel Cormier, Fedor and a heavyweight division he says was better than the UFC’s — and then sold it in a deal he calls one of the worst days of his life. He opens up about the pressure campaign that came before the sale (“they couldn’t destroy us, so they had to negotiate”), the seven-year non-compete the lawyers demanded, and why his fighters never wanted to leave.

Then it turns to the money: the $500 million in purses he’s paid, the 58% of revenue Strikeforce shared with fighters, and the question about pay he says belongs to Dana White. Plus Cyborg calling out Claressa Shields and why he’d pay to see it, the truth about Conor McGregor’s injury and why he believes Conor can’t go out like that, the Crawford–McGregor $200M two-fight idea, remembering Kimbo Slice, and what’s next: $60 million raised for a new MMA venture that includes a one-year invite-only tournament at 126 pounds launching in 2027, built on the Super Six blueprint that made Andre Ward a star.

00:00 Intro: Welcoming Scott Coker
00:28 The Bellator–Showtime Years & COVID Fallout
02:12 Selling Strikeforce to the UFC
09:38 Building Bellator From the Ground Up
14:16 What Makes a Fighter a Star?
18:36 MMA Money vs. Boxing Money
22:06 Fighter Pay & the Strikeforce Model
33:05 Launching a New Tournament Promotion
34:01 Inspired by Pride & K1's Tournament Format
38:19 The $60M Funding Round
40:54 Weight Class Strategy & Q1 2027 Launch
58:49 Naming the New Company

One of the most influential promoters in combat sports history sits down with Ak and Barak. Scott Coker built Strikeforce from scratch, developed Ronda Rousey, Daniel Cormier, Fedor and a heavyweight division he says was better than the UFC&rsquo;s &mdash; and then sold it in a deal he calls one of the worst days of his life. He opens up about the pressure campaign that came before the sale (&ldquo;they couldn&rsquo;t destroy us, so they had to negotiate&rdquo;), the seven-year non-compete the lawyers demanded, and why his fighters never wanted to leave. Then it turns to the money: the $500 million in purses he&rsquo;s paid, the 58% of revenue Strikeforce shared with fighters, and the question about pay he says belongs to Dana White. Plus Cyborg calling out Claressa Shields and why he&rsquo;d pay to see it, the truth about Conor McGregor&rsquo;s injury and why he believes Conor can&rsquo;t go out like that, the Crawford&ndash;McGregor $200M two-fight idea, remembering Kimbo Slice, and what&rsquo;s next: $60 million raised for a new MMA venture that includes a one-year invite-only tournament at 126 pounds launching in 2027, built on the Super Six blueprint that made Andre Ward a star.
00:00 Intro: Welcoming Scott Coker 00:28 The Bellator&ndash;Showtime Years &amp; COVID Fallout 02:12 Selling Strikeforce to the UFC 09:38 Building Bellator From the Ground Up 14:16 What Makes a Fighter a Star? 18:36 MMA Money vs. Boxing Money 22:06 Fighter Pay &amp; the Strikeforce Model 33:05 Launching a New Tournament Promotion 34:01 Inspired by Pride &amp; K1's Tournament Format 38:19 The $60M Funding Round 40:54 Weight Class Strategy &amp; Q1 2027 Launch 58:49 Naming the New Company

Scott Coker: “They Couldn’t Destroy Us”, His New $60M MMA Venture & Why McGregor Isn’t Done

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8e97f98b-9bec-49ac-9350-b4c10117ecde/transcript

RING CHAMPS hits the road. Ak and Barak are live from the Stadium Club at Caribe Royale Orlando for the launch of the Project Series — Matchroom and Boxlab Promotions’ new proving ground on DAZN, where undefeated fighters actually fight each other. They break down what Teofimo Lopez just did to Rolly Romero in Vegas and why the casuals scoring it close need a lesson in how rounds actually work, then get into Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn and the keys for both men on September 12.

Then it gets loud: AJ vs. Fury is signed for Netflix, but the venue war is real — Wembley or Madison Square Garden? Ak makes his call on both the venue and the fight, and the argument that follows gets personal. Plus the prospect graveyard (the Felix Verdejo story Top Rank saw coming), the debut of a new segment, Who the Heck Is That?, and a sit-down with undefeated Christian “El Capitán” Barreto before he faces Corey Marksman in Friday’s main event of the inaugural Project Series broadcast.

Don’t miss Project Series, live from the Caribe Royale Orlando, Friday August 28th and streaming on DAZN.

00:00:00 – Cold Open: On the Road at the Stadium Club
00:02:38 – Teofimo Handles Rolly: The Recap
00:04:18 – Scoring 101: Body Shots Count & the 10-8 Debate
00:07:19 – What’s Next for Teofimo & Rolly
00:09:37 – What the Project Series Is: Projects vs. Prospects
00:14:23 – The Prospect Graveyard: Brandon Lee, Joey Spencer & Felix Verdejo
00:19:30 – The Ones They Got Right: Shakur at 17
00:22:59 – Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn: The Breakdown
00:27:02 – Ryan’s Jab, Conor’s Pressure & the Dogfight Question
00:32:24 – AJ vs. Fury: The Netflix Venue War
00:36:18 – The 4 A.M. Problem & the Falling-Asleep Argument
00:42:14 – Ak’s Call: “AJ Knocks Fury Out”
00:46:21 – New Segment Debut: Who the Heck Is That?
00:52:02 – Christian Barreto Joins the Show
00:56:22 – Cotto, Money & the Question He Wouldn’t Answer
01:03:19 – See You Friday/Wrap

RING CHAMPS hits the road. Ak and Barak are live from the Stadium Club at Caribe Royale Orlando for the launch of the Project Series &mdash; Matchroom and Boxlab Promotions&rsquo; new proving ground on DAZN, where undefeated fighters actually fight each other. They break down what Teofimo Lopez just did to Rolly Romero in Vegas and why the casuals scoring it close need a lesson in how rounds actually work, then get into Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn and the keys for both men on September 12. Then it gets loud: AJ vs. Fury is signed for Netflix, but the venue war is real &mdash; Wembley or Madison Square Garden? Ak makes his call on both the venue and the fight, and the argument that follows gets personal. Plus the prospect graveyard (the Felix Verdejo story Top Rank saw coming), the debut of a new segment, Who the Heck Is That?, and a sit-down with undefeated Christian &ldquo;El Capit&aacute;n&rdquo; Barreto before he faces Corey Marksman in Friday&rsquo;s main event of the inaugural Project Series broadcast. Don&rsquo;t miss Project Series, live from the Caribe Royale Orlando, Friday August 28th and streaming on DAZN.
00:00:00 &ndash; Cold Open: On the Road at the Stadium Club 00:02:38 &ndash; Teofimo Handles Rolly: The Recap 00:04:18 &ndash; Scoring 101: Body Shots Count &amp; the 10-8 Debate 00:07:19 &ndash; What&rsquo;s Next for Teofimo &amp; Rolly 00:09:37 &ndash; What the Project Series Is: Projects vs. Prospects 00:14:23 &ndash; The Prospect Graveyard: Brandon Lee, Joey Spencer &amp; Felix Verdejo 00:19:30 &ndash; The Ones They Got Right: Shakur at 17 00:22:59 &ndash; Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn: The Breakdown 00:27:02 &ndash; Ryan&rsquo;s Jab, Conor&rsquo;s Pressure &amp; the Dogfight Question 00:32:24 &ndash; AJ vs. Fury: The Netflix Venue War 00:36:18 &ndash; The 4 A.M. Problem &amp; the Falling-Asleep Argument 00:42:14 &ndash; Ak&rsquo;s Call: &ldquo;AJ Knocks Fury Out&rdquo; 00:46:21 &ndash; New Segment Debut: Who the Heck Is That? 00:52:02 &ndash; Christian Barreto Joins the Show 00:56:22 &ndash; Cotto, Money &amp; the Question He Wouldn&rsquo;t Answer 01:03:19 &ndash; See You Friday/Wrap

“AJ Knocks Fury Out at MSG”: Ak’s Big Call & Teofimo Handles Rolly | Live at the Project Series

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/146dc7df-d3be-4fce-ae42-b4b30152cfc3/transcript

Ak and Barak break down Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez before Saturday’s title fight in Vegas: the smarter Rolly that showed up against Ryan Garcia, why Teofimo comes back different after a loss, and the style question that decides it. Then they get into Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn on September 12, why Conor has the most to gain, and the business story behind it all — the DAZN and PBC deal they never thought they’d see, and what it felt like betting their careers on “the app” back in 2018 when everyone called it suicide.

Plus: the report that AJ vs. Fury is headed to Madison Square Garden on Netflix — and why Barak thought it was fake news before making the case that New York wins. Canelo’s dangerous fight with Christian Mbilli that casuals are sleeping on. A heated argument about Micky Ward, belts, and what actually makes a legacy. And finally a farewell to Errol Spence: the career, the what-ifs, and the Hall of Fame verdict.

0:00 – Intro
0:43 – DAZN’s rise and the PBC/DAZN partnership
3:59 – Can boxing’s rival networks coexist?
5:09 – Promoters, networks & fighter loyalty debate
7:17 – Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez preview
10:39 – Styles breakdown: Romero vs. Lopez
14:18 – Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn intro
15:17 – DAZN vs. Zuffa: the promotional landscape
16:51 – Garcia’s recent form & Benn’s résumé
18:20 – Conor Benn interview callback & legacy debate
22:11 – Garcia vs. Benn matchup & odds
24:32 – Who benefits more from a win?
27:24 – AD BREAK
30:12 – Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury reportedly heading to MSG
36:10 – Canelo’s next fight and the danger of overlooking Mbili
38:33 – Errol Spence Jr.’s career tribute & Hall of Fame case

Ak and Barak break down Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez before Saturday&rsquo;s title fight in Vegas: the smarter Rolly that showed up against Ryan Garcia, why Teofimo comes back different after a loss, and the style question that decides it. Then they get into Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn on September 12, why Conor has the most to gain, and the business story behind it all &mdash; the DAZN and PBC deal they never thought they&rsquo;d see, and what it felt like betting their careers on &ldquo;the app&rdquo; back in 2018 when everyone called it suicide. Plus: the report that AJ vs. Fury is headed to Madison Square Garden on Netflix &mdash; and why Barak thought it was fake news before making the case that New York wins. Canelo&rsquo;s dangerous fight with Christian Mbilli that casuals are sleeping on. A heated argument about Micky Ward, belts, and what actually makes a legacy. And finally a farewell to Errol Spence: the career, the what-ifs, and the Hall of Fame verdict.
0:00 &ndash; Intro 0:43 &ndash; DAZN&rsquo;s rise and the PBC/DAZN partnership 3:59 &ndash; Can boxing&rsquo;s rival networks coexist? 5:09 &ndash; Promoters, networks &amp; fighter loyalty debate 7:17 &ndash; Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez preview 10:39 &ndash; Styles breakdown: Romero vs. Lopez 14:18 &ndash; Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn intro 15:17 &ndash; DAZN vs. Zuffa: the promotional landscape 16:51 &ndash; Garcia&rsquo;s recent form &amp; Benn&rsquo;s r&eacute;sum&eacute; 18:20 &ndash; Conor Benn interview callback &amp; legacy debate 22:11 &ndash; Garcia vs. Benn matchup &amp; odds 24:32 &ndash; Who benefits more from a win? 27:24 &ndash; AD BREAK 30:12 &ndash; Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury reportedly heading to MSG 36:10 &ndash; Canelo&rsquo;s next fight and the danger of overlooking Mbili 38:33 &ndash; Errol Spence Jr.&rsquo;s career tribute &amp; Hall of Fame case

Rolly vs. Teofimo: Which Rolly Shows Up Saturday & Is AJ-Fury at MSG Really Happening?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/90b7b26d-c23b-4bf6-9db6-b4ad00312153/transcript

Emiliano Vargas: Ryan Garcia’s Callout, Sparring Shakur at 17 & The Bad Bunny Super Bowl Call

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