Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: THE W.A.D.E. Concept - WEEK IN REVIEW - Wade interviews Edgar Berlanga & Hamzah Sheeraz and BREAKS DOWN their fights...

Release Date: July 13, 2025

I. Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by Wade Plemond, listeners are treated to an in-depth exploration of the latest developments in the boxing world. The episode features exclusive interviews with prominent fighters Edgar Berlanga and Shakur Stevenson, followed by a comprehensive breakdown of the recent Ring Three event held in New York City. Wade provides insightful analysis, highlights key moments from the fights, and shares his perspectives on controversial decisions and standout performances.

II. Interview with Edgar Berlanga

[02:08 - 09:56]

Wade Plemond: Kicks off the segment by welcoming Edgar Berlanga back to the W.A.D.E. Concept. Wade dives straight into the emotional landscape of fight week.

Emotions Leading Up to the Fight:

• Edgar Berlanga expresses excitement and anticipation for the upcoming main event. He shares his eagerness to promote the fight, “I love Fight Week man, because it's like you get closer to the fight now... I’m more happy. Like I'm gonna fuck this dude up” ([02:26]).

Dealing with Hamza Sheeraz’s Promotion Tactics:

• Wade brings up Hamza Sheeraz’s efforts to promote the fight by engaging with the public. Edgar acknowledges Hamza as a fan but criticizes the promotional tactics, saying, “After my fight I'm having with pom poms. Yeah. Okay. I'm gonna dress him like a fucking cheerleader. He’s a fan, bro” ([03:04]).

Plans Post-Fight:

• Discusses his aspirations beyond the current fight. Edgar states, “My plan is... just to take over the 168 Division” and hints at future high-profile matches, “I would love to run it back, you know, with Canelo” ([05:40], [06:19]).

Final Messages to Hamza Sheeraz:

• Edgar delivers a strong message to his opponent, emphasizing his readiness and determination to win, “I'm fucking him up. I'm fucking you up” ([09:34]-[09:41]).

III. Interview with Shakur Stevenson

[09:56 - 15:31]

Wade Plemond: Transitions to interviewing Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, focusing on his preparation and mindset for the upcoming fight.

Readiness and Strategy:

• Shakur emphasizes his preparedness and the hard work put into training, “We put in a lot of work this training camp, so come fight night, we coming in at make sure we come out victorious and beat his ass” ([10:17], [15:00]).

Facing Promotion and Trolling:

• Addresses the psychological aspects of fighting an opponent who employs trash talk, “I fight my own fight. So if I do go out there and move and whatever and stop it, make sure you come out there and win” ([11:07]-[11:32]).

Training and Preparation:

• Shakur discusses his physical condition and training regimen, “I think y’all just ain't see me in a tank top... I’m like, geez, I’m running the tank top today” ([11:35]-[11:50]).

Final Messages to William Zepeda and Fans:

• Shakur delivers a confident message about his skills and dominance in the ring, “I'm the best fighter in the world... it’s going to be another night where I dominate and I show the world how great I am” ([16:15]-[16:32]).

IV. Breakdown of Ring Three Event

[10:30 - 35:56]

Overview of Fight Card:

• Wade provides an overview of the night's events at Ring Three, highlighting the stacked fight card and the return to New York City’s Louis Armstrong Stadium after previous controversies.

Key Fights and Outcomes:

1. Rito Sumi vs. Lavelle Whittington:

   • Rito Sumi secures a second professional win with decisive body shots in the second round. Wade remarks, “Good second win in his pro career” ([Marking specific timestamp as per transcript progression]).

2. David Morell vs. Imam Katayev:

   • Controversial decision where David Morell is declared the winner despite Imam Katayev demonstrating superior performance. Wade states, “I thought clearly Katayev won” and expresses dissatisfaction with the judge’s decision ([03:16 - 04:07]).

3. Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matthias:

   • A highly anticipated bout labeled as the fight of the night. Alberto Puello wins a close decision, though Wade believes Puello had the edge: “I thought that Alberto Puello won more rounds” ([04:24 - 07:56]).

Analysis of Shakur Stevenson’s Performance:

• Wade praises Shakur's exceptional display in the ring, noting his adaptability and technical prowess. He highlights moments where Shakur deviated from his usual style to counter Zepeda’s aggression, “[...] Shakur wasn't just using his feet. [...] he was tagging William Zepeda up this” ([11:35 - 13:02]).

Analysis of Hamza Shiraz vs. Edgar Berlanga:

• A dominant performance by Hamza Shiraz against Edgar Berlanga, resulting in a fifth-round knockout. Wade details the fight, emphasizing Shiraz’s technical skills and power:
  • First Round: Hamza begins strong with inside combinations, landing a solid hook ([07:56]).
  • Fourth Round: Hamza intensifies his offense, breaking through Berlanga’s defense, “[...] Hamza digs in. Big left hook, right hand, left hook hurts Edgar” ([07:56 - 08:04]).
  • Fifth Round: The knockout sequence where Shiraz delivers decisive blows, “[...] Hamza just cracks him again with another combination” ([07:56 - 08:46]).

Wade concludes that Hamza Shiraz has proven himself a formidable competitor at 168 lbs, while acknowledging improvements in Edgar Berlanga post his bout with Canelo.

V. Conclusion

Wade wraps up the episode by reflecting on the Ring Three event, praising the fighters' performances and the overall quality of the fight card. He expresses excitement for future matchups, particularly the potential Shakur Stevenson vs. Gervonta "Tank" Davis fight, despite uncertainties surrounding Davis’s career trajectory. Wade invites listeners to share their thoughts on the event and anticipates covering more developments in the influencer boxing and MMA scenes in upcoming episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Edgar Berlanga: “I love Fight Week man, because it's like you get closer to the fight now... I’m more happy. Like I'm gonna fuck this dude up.” ([02:26])

• Wade Plemond: “This was an insane way to finish it, man. Did you see that right hand?” ([07:10])

• Shakur Stevenson: “I'm the best fighter in the world. And fans could sit there and go against it, but the reason why my fights look the way they look is because they are so easy.” ([16:15])

• Edgar Berlanga: “I'm fucking him up. I'm fucking you up.” ([09:34])

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the boxing world, blending fighter insights with expert analysis of recent events. Wade Plemond effectively captures the intensity and anticipation surrounding key matchups, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of each fighter’s mindset and the technical aspects of their performances. Whether you’re a die-hard boxing fan or a casual observer, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and engaging commentary that encapsulate the dynamic nature of the sport.