While serving time in prison, David Zamora asked God to take away his heroin addiction. He made a promise that night. If God set him free, he’d give Him the rest of his life.

On this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye Ray sits down with Pastor David Zamora of Calvary Living Way in Fontana, California. David shares what drew him into gang life growing up in Ontario, what it took to walk away after prison, and how some of the same men he used to run with eventually turned to him for prayer. He also remembers what his grandfather told him after hearing his first sermon. This was what his grandmother had prayed for.

Ray and David also talk about following Jesus through hard times, why being part of a Bible-teaching church matters, and how their faith shapes the way they approach questions about Israel and parenting.

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Before he became the “Magic Man,” Paulie Malignaggi was an angry teenager looking for direction. Finding boxing gave him discipline, confidence, and something he didn’t want to lose.

Paulie joins Popeye Ray and retired referee Jack Reiss on Third Man in the Ring to share the experiences that shaped him, from his Italian family roots and growing up in Brooklyn to a difficult home life, street fights, and his first days at Gleason’s Gym.

The conversation also covers his fight with Miguel Cotto, memories of New York after 9/11, and being in the crowd for Bernard Hopkins vs. Félix Trinidad. Paulie and Jack then compare a fighter’s perspective with a referee’s, discussing fouls, fighter safety, judging, and when an official needs to step in.

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Ahmed Bellozo, known as OnTheTira, joins Popeye Ray and Brother Mark to share his story of gang life, 23 years spent in prison, and an addiction that followed him from heroin to prescription pills and fentanyl.

Ahmed talks about first using heroin behind bars, facing cancer and severe pain, and eventually seeking help through Narcotics Anonymous. He also shares how he built a new life as a community reporter and, more recently, was baptized and committed his life to Jesus. Now facing cancer again, he speaks honestly about faith, friendship, and the hope he has today.

If Ahmed’s story speaks to you, share it with someone who needs to hear that change is possible. Subscribe to Third Man in the Ring for more conversations about faith and redemption.

Pastor Mando Vera was once known as “Monster”, a gang member caught in violence, addiction, and incarceration. Today, he returns to the same streets with a message of faith, forgiveness, and hope.

In this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye Ray sits down with someone he personally knew from the neighborhood. Mando opens up about growing up in an abusive home in Bassett, California, entering gang life at a young age, being shot and stabbed, battling drugs and alcohol, and reaching a point where he nearly lost his family and his life.

Mondo also shares something many testimonies leave out: after first accepting Christ, he fell back into addiction. That relapse cost him his job, car, home, and almost everything that mattered to him. What he expected to be a few months in a Christian recovery home became two years of restoration, leadership, and preparation for ministry.

Now an ordained minister, evangelist, and chaplain, Pastor Mando serves people in hospitals, jails, recovery homes, and neighborhoods that once considered him an enemy.

#GangMemberToPastor #christiantestimony #testimony

Three-time heavyweight title challenger Chris Arreola joins Ref Popeye Ray on Third Man in the Ring for a candid, funny and unfiltered look back at his life inside and outside the boxing ring.

Chris takes us from beginning boxing at seven years old and competing in more than 150 amateur fights to facing some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division, including Vitali Klitschko, Bermane Stiverne, Tomasz Adamek, Adam Kownacki and Andy Ruiz Jr.

Chris speaks honestly about the fights he wishes he had trained harder for, the distractions that came with success, his struggles with weight and why he refuses to blame anyone else for the choices that affected his career. He also explains the mentality that kept him fighting through injuries and punishing rounds because the fans deserved their money’s worth.

Chris and Popeye also discuss controversial judging, the influence of the crowd, today’s heavyweight division, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the bare-knuckle offers Chris has received and whether he still has the desire to fight again.

Away from boxing, Chris reflects on his father’s influence, raising his own children, possibly opening a boxing gym and why simply being present is one of the most important things a father can do.

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From prison, violent crime, and meth addiction to a life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ—Mark Gonzalez’s testimony is proof that no one is beyond redemption.

In this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye Ray sits down with Mark Gonzalez, also known as Barber Mark, to hear the powerful story behind His Barbershop.

Mark opens up about the childhood abuse and anger that shaped him, being arrested for assault and attempted murder at 16, spending years in and out of prison, and eventually becoming deeply addicted to meth. He knew Scripture, earned a degree in biblical studies, and even served as an usher at church—but behind the appearance, he was still getting high and committing crimes.

Everything changed after the people he trusted arranged a brutal home invasion that nearly took his life. While recovering in the hospital, Mark says God called him to repent. That was the moment he stopped merely playing the part of a Christian and became truly born again.

Today, Mark is approaching five years sober, owns His Barbershop in Redlands, and serves his church and community through prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and outreach. In his own words, he once deserved to be in prison because of the monster he had become—but Jesus changed his life.

If Mark’s testimony encourages you, share this episode with someone who needs hope and subscribe to Third Man in the Ring for more powerful stories of faith, redemption, and transformation.

This episode includes candid discussion of childhood sexual abuse, drug addiction, violence, and incarceration.

#ChristianTestimony #JesusChangesLives #ThirdManInTheRing

Ref Popeye Ray sits down with legendary MMA referee Big John McCarthy for a wide-ranging conversation about the early days of the UFC, life in law enforcement, what it really takes to be a referee, and why fighter safety matters inside the cage.

Big John shares stories from his upbringing, his father’s influence in LAPD and SWAT, his path into law enforcement, training with the Gracies, becoming one of the most recognized officials in combat sports, and how the referee’s role has evolved from the early “no rules” era of MMA.

They also talk about Bruce Lee, Gene LeBell, Chuck Norris, bare knuckle fighting, judging, referee training, boxing, and John’s return to officiating.

This is a conversation about fighting, discipline, legacy, respect, and the people who helped shape combat sports.

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With more than 125 film credits and 300 television appearances, Pepe reflects on growing up in Corpus Christi, discovering his love for performing at an early age, moving to Hollywood, and building a lasting career when opportunities for Latino actors were limited. He shares stories from films including Car Wash, The Jerk, American Me, and Scarface, while discussing the importance of representation and telling stories that reflect the Latino community.

Pepe also opens up about his marriage, mentoring young performers, creating his one-man show, his artwork and documentary, and the health challenges he has recently faced. Throughout the conversation, he shares the values that have guided him: staying positive, helping others succeed, supporting the people around you, and finding richness in a life spent doing what you love.

More than a conversation about movies, this episode is about perseverance, generosity, purpose, and the legacy Pepe Serna hopes to leave behind.