Third Man in the Ring: Recent Episodes
Popeye Ray
My name is Ray Corona. My friends call me Popeye Ray. I am a professional boxing referee with a few MMA bouts under my belt. Listening to this podcast you will hear from a pro ref's perspective on fighting and life. We will be having professional boxing referees, actors, fighters, and others on as guests. If you have questions for refs on certain fights and certain calls, this is the place to ask. Reach out to us at thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
In this episode of Third Man in the Ring, referee Popeye Ray sits down with stand-up comedian George P. Perez, a one-of-a-kind voice in comedy.
George opens up about his upbringing, the struggles that shaped him, and how he went from the streets to performing on Netflix, HBO, Showtime, and MTV. With sharp humor and honest reflections, George shows how comedy became not just a career, but a way to transform his life.
This conversation is about more than just laughs, it’s about resilience, culture, and finding your lane when the odds are against you.
Sal Rodriquez, drummer of the legendary funk band WAR, sits down with me on the Third Man in the Ring Podcast to share his incredible journey through music, fame, and faith. From touring the world with WAR, playing festivals across Europe and the U.S., to finding deeper purpose in life, Sal opens up about his experiences on stage, the power of music, and how faith changed everything.
In this episode of Third Man in the Ring, we sit down with Eric Tate, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 848. Eric shares his journey, the challenges of union leadership, and what it really takes to fight for workers’ voices. From breaking barriers to building stronger communities, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the realities of union power and personal sacrifice.
Today's episode features a man known as Guerrero Fitness, a man who overcame a tough upbringing and the challenges of street life to build a life centered on motivation and fitness. But his focus goes beyond the physical, he's passionate about spiritual and mental strength as well. This is a powerful and timely message for young men and women who may be standing at a crossroads, searching for direction and purpose.
John Molina Jr. was such an exciting fighter. Excited to have him on, everyone please give a warm welcome to John Molina!
Pat Russell refereed some AMAZING fights. He has retired from refereeing and is not judging. Today we review some of his favorite fights and go over the thought process a ref goes through.
https://putasosfightapparel.com/
In Honor of the Fallen – 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines
1. Lance Cpl. Jeremiah A. Baro – KIA: Nov 4, 2004 – Age 21
2. Sgt. Douglas E. Bascom – KIA: Oct 20, 2004 – Age 25
3. Lance Cpl. Richard C. Clifton – KIA: Feb 3, 2005 – Age 19
4. Sgt. Timothy Folmar – KIA: Sep 24, 2004 – Age 21
5. Lance Cpl. Victor A. Gonzalez – KIA: Oct 13, 2004 – Age 19
6. Lance Cpl. Andrew Halverson – KIA: Oct 9, 2004 – Age 19
7. Lance Cpl. Gregory C. Howman – KIA: Sep 15, 2004 – Age 28
8. Cpl. Jared P. Hubbard – KIA: Nov 4, 2004 – Age 22
9. Lance Cpl. Sean M. Langley – KIA: Nov 7, 2004 – Age 20
10. Cpl. Matthew D. Lynch – KIA: Oct 31, 2004 – Age 25
11. Cpl. Jason T. Poindexter – KIA: Oct 12, 2004 – Age 22
12. Capt. Patrick M. Rapicault – KIA: Nov 15, 2004 – Age 34
13. Sgt. Marc T. Ryan – KIA: Nov 15, 2004 – Age 25
14. 1st Sgt. Edward Smith – KIA: Nov 15, 2004 – Age 38
15. Lance Cpl. Lance M. Thompson – KIA: Nov 15, 2004 – Age 21
16. Hospitalman Rory Brandon Aguilera – KIA: Nov 15, 2004 – Age 24
I have been a teamster since 1994. There are different views on unions and I wanted to speak to the Secretary Treasurer of Local 63 in the hopes we can all learn and perhaps get a different perspective.
Today we here an amazing testimony from Andy Tsarukyan. From being an Armenian immigrant with nothing, to running a successful law firm.
Our Sponsors:
Remedy Law Group LLP
https://remedylawgroup.com/
Sonora Tires
https://www.sonoratiresinc.com/
Prior to the formation of Fight Club OC in 2011 Roy promoted the highly successful Battle in the Ballroom professional boxing shows at the Irvine Marriott Hotel for 25 straight years. This bi-monthly professional boxing show was the longest running club pro boxing show in the country. 36 current or former world champions have fought at the Marriott, including Shane Mosley and Johnny Tapia. In 2007 he became one of the first boxing promoters to introduce Mixed Martial Arts shows to his Battle in the Ballroom concept.
https://socafights.com/
FIGHT PROMOTER UNIVERSITY: https://www.fightpromoteruniversity.com/optin24163023
Today I interview the future of boxing and the dynasty of the Garcia family. Please welcome my friend, Pita Garcia.
https://www.rgbapro.com/
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
Today we are joined by Art Blajos. He shares his testimony about being in the Mexican Mafia and giving his life to the Lord while in prison.
Angel Baby is the host of the Art Laboe Connection, Sundays 6pm-Midnight on 93.5 KDAY. Monday - Thursday 9pm-Midnight he is the host of Old School 104.7 FM Oldies Dedications.
Jack Reiss Training: https://www.solearbiter.com/
My good friend and mentor, Jack Reiss, is retiring from his career of being a boxing referee. He isn't completely leaving, he will still be training the next generation of boxing referees and also be a judge. Great conversation today about his career and what is to come.
Amazing testimony today from my Friend DJ Cazel. Check out his club "The Souldies Lounge" in Rialto, Ca.
https://thesouldieslounge.com/
Ronnie Castro worked for the Department of Corrections here in California for 27 years. Today we hear his story and testimony.
Jesse Romero is the Co-owner of Taco Nazo, in my opinion the best tacos in Southern California. Today we are going to talk about how it is to be young and running a business, what it was like running a business during the pandemic, and also talk boxing.
Dr. Wallace was appointed as a CA Ringside Physician in 1989. He is currently the Chief Ringside Physician of the California State Athletic Commission and serves as Chairman of its Medical Advisory Committee.
He is also the World Boxing Council’s Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board and lectures for the IBF, WBO and is a founding and current board member of the Association of Ringside Physicians and the CA Association of Professional Ringside Physicians.
After serving two terms as Chairman of the Association of Boxing Commission’s Medical Advisory Board, he served as Chief Ringside Physician and Instructor for the World Series of Boxing; USA Boxing International Team Physician and Instructor at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs.
I never want to glamorize the gang life or prison life, but what I do want to do is share stories of when someone was a part of that world, and they turned their life around. Please welcome Big Al.
Please welcome one of the top commentators in the world, Beto Duran. Beto Duran does the Lakers pre and post games for ESPN radio. He does the play-by-play for Golden Boy on DAZN and is Co-Host of "Dimecast".
Cesar is a husband, father, a bodyguard, Iraqi War Vet, and so much more. Cesar has some amazing stories and we are here to talk about them.
Carlos Barragan Jr. is the owner of House of Boxing gym in San Deigo, CA. If you enjoy the content please like and subscribe. Watch the full video on my youtube channel
This episode we interview Raul R. Ramos, author of "Ese to Master Jefe: From Street Gang Life in South Central Los Angeles to US Navy Master Chief". This is an inspiring story I think we can all learn from.
Daniel has gone through a lot during his boxing including holding the IBF Feather Weight Title and also experiencing traumatic brain injury during a fight which lead to being in a coma for ten days. On this episode we talk about the high's and lows of his career and what he is doing now with his boxing gyms.
Mike Rodriguez joins me again, this time as cohost with Jacob Duran. These are two of the best cutmen in the business.
Today we have an interview with promoter/manager/friend, Alex Camponovo. Today we will talk about who he signs, how he signs them, when he knows to cut someone loose and about CBN Promotions.
https://www.cbnpromotions.com/
Manny Tapia joins us today on the podcast! Manny is the owner of Millennia MMA, has a 12-4 Pro MMA record, is a top 10 ranked fighter, WEC/UFC title contender, former King of the Cage World Champ, and has a black belt in BJJ.
President Eric Gomez plays a pivotal role overseeing day-to-day functions of all boxing related aspects and is responsible for organizing some of the most consequential fights of the modern boxing era.
Mike has been a LA County Sheriff going on 36 years, 20 of those years as a homicide detective. Mike has also worked with dozens of world champions as a cutman.
MY PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/PopeyeRay
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Romie has been an athlete for the entirety of his life, starting with soccer as a kid. He then played football throughout junior high and high school before discovering his passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 16. By age 21, Romie opened Millennia MMA in Pomona, California in 1999.
He began his professional career in 2000, won two King of the Cage world championship belts and fought for the UFC. Aram fought until 2004, ending his career at 7-1. He now coaches full time and has produced over 20 UFC and Bellator fighters.
This podcast can only happen because of our Patreon subscribers, thank you! https://www.patreon.com/PopeyeRay
Henry Ramirez is a trainer and manager of some great fighters including professional heavyweight boxer, Chris Arreola. He also does a lot of amazing work with the youth in boxing. Recently he had a video go viral of two young boys who had been sparring and both got bloody noses. It got a lot of attention, positive and negative. Let's talk about it.
Abner Mares was a commentator of Showtime boxing and he has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF bantamweight title from 2011 to 2012, the WBC super bantamweight title from 2012 to 2013, the WBC featherweight title in 2013, and the WBA (Regular) featherweight title from 2016 to 2018. As an amateur boxer, Mares won numerous medals at international tournaments while representing Mexico.
This podcast can only happen because of our Patreon subscribers, thank you! https://www.patreon.com/PopeyeRay
Please welcome Sergio Mora from DAZN. The first winner of "The Contender" series. WBC light middleweight champion, and twice challenged for the WBA middleweight title.
JOIN MY PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://www.patreon.com/PopeyeRay
Gil Carrillo is the detective who helped capture the infamous serial killer, Richard Ramirez, who was known as the “Night Stalker” and was recently featured in the Netflix documentary Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. This is a two part episode. Today, we go over his upbringing, his time in Vietnam, and how he got into law enforcement. On episode 2 we get into the details about the night stalker case. Episode 2 will only be on my patreon. By subscribing to my patreon you will be supporting the podcast and helping me to continue it, thank you!
This podcast couldn't happen without our sponsors and your support, thank you!
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Israel Vazquez was ALWAYS a fan favorite. Such a great fighter to watch. Please give Israel a warm welcome and enjoy the episode.
Ben Lira is a father figure in my life and a legend in the boxing world. Please give him a warm welcome to the podcast!
This podcast can only happen with our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Emilio Rivera is an actor you may have seen in many major Hollywood productions like The Mayans, Bruce Almighty, and much more. Honored to also call him a friend and sit down with him on the show!
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Please welcome the great Alex "Jaws" Garcia. Funny story, when I was young I almost picked a fight with this guy...thank God I didn't..
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
A lot of you know my faith is the most important part of my life. I love boxing, I love being a referee, but my walk with God comes first. Pastor David Rosales is who I trust to teach me the word of God. Today we talk about his testimony, boxing, and combative sports as a Christian.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Manny Jimenez Sr. is a writer, director, and creator of Suspect Entertainment. He has a powerful story of changing his life and making it Hollywood. Manny has even got me into some movie's you might have seen. Please welcome Manny Jimenez Sr.
boxingpodcast #boxinglife #thirdmaninthering
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Shane Mosley often known by his nickname "Sugar" Shane Mosley, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF lightweight title; the WBA (Super) and WBC welterweight titles; and the WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring magazine light middleweight titles. He was also a lineal champion at welterweight (twice) and light middleweight
In 1998, the Boxing Writers Association of America named Mosley as their Fighter of the Year. He was also given the same honor by the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2000 and 2001 he was named the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
MERCH: https://thirdmaninthering.bigcartel.com/
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Chris Leben is an American former MMA competitor, now judge, referee, and gym owner. Chris first maid his appearance on the show "The Ultimate Fighter."
On today's episode Chris open's up about his battle with alcohol, success with sobriety, and about his career.
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Let's give a warm welcome to Mikey Garcia. Mikey held multiple championships in four weight classes.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
Roberto Garcia is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2001, and held the IBF junior lightweight title from 1998 to 1999. He has since worked as a boxing trainer, and was voted Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine in 2011, and by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2012.
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com.
Ivan Guillermo is an LAPD Officer, a boxing inspector, a boxing judge, and a boxing referee. Today we talk about his career and how he got into the sport of boxing. We also talk about his Scrappy Ramirez fight where a fighter falls out of the ring.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
You probably see Mark Relyea at all the fights. As Chief Athletic Inspector of California he is the eyes and ears of the state. Making sure everything is up to code and keeping the fighters safe. Today we talk about his background in law enforcement, gloves, judges, referees and more. A lot of knowledge here!
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Fernando Javier Vargas is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2007. He was a two-time light middleweight world champion, having held the IBF title from 1998 to 2000, and the WBA title from 2001 to 2002. Today we talk about boxing and his life.
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
This week we welcome professional boxing referee, Russell Mora.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Tony Weeks has done some incredible fights in his career. One that sticks out in my mind is the Diego Corrales vs Jose Castillo fight. Today we speak to him about that as well as how he got into the boxing world.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Fernando Villarreal is a professional boxing judge here in the state of California and all over the world. He has judged over 1,200 fights, this man knows the sport and hopefully we can all learn a little bit on today's podcast.
Jesus Villarruel (Chuy) is the lead inspector for the California State Athletic Commission. This is an amazing episode to learn more about Chuy and what inspectors do in the sport of boxing.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Jimmy Lennon Jr. is an American boxing ring announcer. This man is a living legend and one of the major faces of boxing. Honor to have him on the podcast.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Professional MMA referee legend, Herb Dean.
This podcast can only happen with the help of our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
boxing #mmatraining #boxingpodcast
Andy Foster is the head guy in California. It was an honor to have him on the podcast. We talk about the sport of boxing and MMA, the future of the sport, as well as some other topics like pensions for fighters and issues with weigh-ins.
This podcast can only happen with our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Tom Taylor has been all over the world refereeing some of the biggest fights. I am blessed to also call him a friend. Today we talk to him about how he got into the boxing world and how he views refereeing.
This podcast can only happen with our sponsors and your donations, thank you!
https://cash.app/$refpopeyeray
Venmo: @refpopeyeray
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Thank you our sponsors:
-HDC Construction: hdcconstruction.com
-Preferred Services
Mike Beltran is a MMA referee who has done fights all over the world, he is an actor, and LA County Sheriff. He has done it all. Today we discuss his story, and of course, MMA and boxing.
thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
We are very excited to launch our first episode! We started at the top, today's interview is with Jack Reiss, professional boxing referee.
If you have any questions you would like to ask for future episodes, email us at thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
My name is Ray Corona, but my friends call me Popeye Ray. I am a professional boxing referee. Welcome to the Third Man in the Ring Podcast. Our first official episode will be an interview with the one and only Jack Reese. If you have any questions for Jack Reese or myself, please reach out at thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com