LAST Saturday, Terence Crawford capped a sublime week for boxing when he trounced Errol Spence with such aplomb it was impossible not to be wowed. Is he now on course to be regarded alongside the Robinsons, Leonards and Mayweathers? And is there anyone out there today who can beat him?We also examine the news, including the latest Conor Benn headlines and the potential implications his case may have on British sport.In This Week In History, we go back to 1988 and Michael Nunn announcing his arri...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 33
Boxing's finest feature this week as we preview the long awaited Terence Crawford against Errol Spence fight, including Declan Warrington's interview with Spence and Elliot Worsell with the latest from Las Vegas.And we revel in and reflect upon another destructive performance by Naoya Inoue who stopped previously unbeaten Stephen Fulton to become a four-weight belt-holder. Is The Monster already one of the greats? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Season 4Ep. 32
A TRULY sumptuous contest is only days away, one that has all the ingredients to be a classic and a spectacle not to be missed. But who wins when Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue go to battle? Alongside a deep dive into that contest we examine the performances of Josh Kelly and Andy Cruz, and round up the latest news, including the latest developments with Conor Benn.This Week In History is a good one as we go back to 1987 when Don Curry dropped his guard at precisely the wrong time.Please rate, l...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 31
ANTHONY JOSHUA is the guest on this week’s Opening Bell. He discusses his upcoming rematch with Dillian Whyte, his evolving approach to boxing alongside new coach Derrick James and pinpoints what went wrong under Robert McCracken.Alex Steedman and Matt Christie further examine that Whyte sequel, discuss Oleksandr Usyk’s August 26 date with Daniel Dubois and react to the news that Tyson Fury will engage in a 10-rounder with MMA star, Francis Ngannou, in October.The dazzling showing of Boots Ennis...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 4Ep. 30
FOLLOWING a weekend when Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas added new belts to their collections, and Jared Anderson overcame a test of sorts to move forward, we take a journey back in time.Alongside the usual action analysis (like Dalton Smith’s return to explosive form) and previews, we attempt to imagine what life was like in 1919 when Jack Dempsey ravaged Jess Willard in a contest that’s barely recognisable in modern day boxing.We also discuss the current heavyweight scene, examine the late...
Jul 05, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 29
CONOR BENN has got some new evidence, Canelo Alvarez has got a new promoter and Tyson Fury is preparing to make a new announcement.Elsewhere, Savannah Marshall is preparing to take on an old opponent and Dalton Smith is hoping to reclaim his old form. And, in This Week, we go back to the night when Roberto Duran damn near thumped Ken Buchanan’s right ball into orbit.Please rate, review and follow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 28
IT’S the fight that just won’t go away despite it generating an awful stink whenever it’s mentioned. So why are Matchroom, one of the world’s leading promotional groups, still so keen to make Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jnr?We also look at the place of sanctioning bodies in the current landscape, a hot and sweaty night for Frazer Clarke and a barely lukewarm effort from Regis Prograis.And in This Week in History, we venture back to 2007 and Ricky Hatton uncorking a left hook from Jose Luis Castil...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 27
THIS week’s episode in the proverbial nutshell: The brilliance of Teofimo Lopez; the future of Josh Taylor; an unexpected contender for Fight of the Year; why it’s important to get the full story; a world without sanctioning bodies and one of the most chilling KOs in history.Please rate, review and follow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 26
THERE’S another terrific scrap on the horizon as Josh Taylor defends his world super-lightweight title against Teofimo Lopez at the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York.Both have a lot to prove. We ask the key questions, attempt to answer them, and reveal our picks for the fight.Daniel Kinahan won’t go away it seems. Or will he? We update on the current situation.Finally, two of most fascinating heavyweights of the 90s - Tommy Morrison and Razor Ruddock - collided to dramatic effec...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 4Ep. 25
THIS week we go behind the scenes of Chris Billam-Smith’s victory over Lawrence Okolie, reflect on Leigh Wood levelling the score with Mauricio Lara and wonder if Michael Conlan will ever be the same again.We reveal the Board’s reasoning for allowing the Wood fight to go ahead even though Lara missed weight, and ask questions along the way that some may prefer to ignore. This Week In History focuses on another big stadium fight at cruiserweight and there’s even time to discuss Terence Crawford v...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 4Ep. 24
DEVIN HANEY turned in the performance of his life last weekend but only Vasiliy Lomachenko emerged with any credit. Why did so many eye-witnesses get this one wrong?Also up for discussion: Katie Taylor’s career is at crisis point following a glorious performance by Chantelle Cameron in Dublin - we ponder how far the Irish superstar can come back. Furthermore, why were there so many elephants in the room?There’s another huge weekend approaching, and alongside a reviewing the latest news, we look ...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 4Ep. 23
WHAT a weekend ahead. Vasiliy Lomachenko, for so long the darling of the hardcore, faces Devin Haney in a sumptuous battle for the world lightweight title. But at 35, can the old master unseat the younger, cocksure champion?In Dublin, there’s another high-end showdown between Ireland’s superstar Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron. This one, too, is loaded with intrigue.And what a week it was. Seven days ago, the boxing twitterati lost their collective mind as the proposed heavyweight bout betwee...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 22
CANELO ALVAREZ comfortably defeated John Ryder over 12 rounds - so why is the Englishman the moral victor? Let us explain all.We also round up the news stories and examine the latest progress of Joshua Buatsi.And in This Week In History, we go back to 2015 to find Alvarez matched with his perfect partner…Please hit follow, drop a review and rate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 11, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 21
IT’S the start of fight week in Mexico where John Ryder embarks on the mother of all challenges when he attempts to unseat super-middleweight king, Canelo Alvarez.It looks like mission impossible for the Brit but we examine what he must do to win, and wonder if such a scenario is in fact, well, possible.We also look ahead to Joshua Buatsi’s return, discuss the latest developments surrounding Conor Benn and in This Week, venture back to 2004 and Oscar De La Hoya’s triumphant return against Ricard...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 20
IT was announced on Thursday April 27 that Boxing News has been acquired by ID Sports Media. In a special bonus podcast, hosted by Andy Clarke, Matt Christie and Rob Tebbutt reveal what this means for the iconic Boxing News brand.For regular listeners of The Opening Bell, don’t worry, Alex Steedman AKA The Steed, will be back in the hot seat next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 27, 2023•34 min
IN this week’s podcast, recorded earlier than usual on Monday, we steer clear of any scandals and focus purely on the boxing.We relive Joe Cordina’s truly mesmerising display in Cardiff and look back on Gervonta Davis turning in a performance that may just have signalled the arrival of a bona-fide superstar.This Week In History focuses on the last, and arguably best, night of Robbie Regan’s career.Please rate us, review us, and follow… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 19
This week, Boxing News broke the story of Conor Benn’s provisional suspension from UKAD. Editor Matt Christie explains to Alex Steedman the complexities of that ruling and the wider potential consequences for those involved.Joe Joyce was stunned by Zilhei Zhang last weekend. We examine what the future may hold for both.There’s time to preview Joe Cordina’s vital Cardiff comeback and the sumptuous showdown between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia.And, in This Week, we look back on a bombastic showi...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 18
THIS week we look ahead to Joe Joyce’s scrap with Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena. Will this be a test for the Juggernaut or will he brush the fringe contender aside?We take a deep dive into the Amir Khan failed test which triggers some interesting questions about guilt, confidentiality and consistency.We look back on last weekend’s action and, in This Week, we go back to 2016 when Errol Spence Jnr aced his first professional test.Please follow us and leave a review. Your help is greatly ap...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 17
BOXING again made its way into the news headlines for the wrong reasons when it emerged that Amir Khan had failed a PED test. But why did it take over a year for the results to be made public?We compare Anthony Joshua’s performance against Jermaine Franklin in 2023 to his carefree demolition of Charles Martin in 2016.And at the top of the show, Alex Steedman delivers a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Ken Buchanan. There’s also news on a packed schedule, with reports of Terence Crawford-Errol ...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Season 4Ep. 16
LAST night, Anthony Joshua got back to winning ways when he outpointed the plucky Jermaine Franklin over 12 rounds.Joshua won almost all of those 12 rounds yet the criticism has been fierce. Are we expecting too much from AJ? More pertinently, is the extreme analysis of his every move hindering him? The pressure he’s under is perhaps the toughest opponent of them all.Thanks for listening, and your ongoing support. Leave a review if you have the time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Apr 02, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 15
A WEEK has passed since Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and their respective teams finally pulled the plug on the heavyweight superfight.In a way, it’s almost a relief that, this weekend, we get a contest free from such complications when Anthony Joshua embarks on the next stage of his career against Jermaine Franklin. Surely Joshua won’t slip up, will he?We examine those two talking points, look back on David Benavidez beating Caleb Plant, Lawrence Okolie’s return and, in This Week, go back to 1998 ...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 14
RECORDED on the morning of Wednesday March 22, the signs for Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk were not looking good.Boxing News editor and Alex Steedman examine the reasons why and wonder if there is any hope at all of the two best heavyweights of their generation settling their differences in a prize ring.We reflect on other news, including Joshua Buatsi’s move to Boxxer, look back on recent action and ahead to a busy weekend.This Week goes back to 1990 and the historic collision between Julio Cesar...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 13
THIS week’s episode was recorded before the latest round of Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk ‘negotiations’ so forgive the upbeat mood on that particular saga.Alongside the usual review of recent action - featuring Tony Yoka, Dan Azeez and Diego Pacheco - one of the most brutal fights of recent years is remembered.Timothy Bradley goes in-depth about his war with Ruslan Provodnikov, 10 years on, and what he has to say is simply unmissable.Please rate, review and subscribe. Your support is hugely appreci...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 4Ep. 12
TYSON FURY versus Oleksandr Usyk is the most important fight to be made in boxing but it’s looking increasingly unlikely to happen anytime soon.We explore the reasons why, outline what this means for the sport, and look on the bright side because fights like Fulton-Inoue and Davis-Garcia will surely showcase boxing at its best. Conor Benn being interviewed by Piers Morgan is also up for discussion alongside reviews and previews.This Week features some vintage Jeff Fenech.Rate us, review us, foll...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 11
CONOR BENN this week released a statement explaining his side of the story regarding those two failed tests. Yet again, we’re left with more questions than answers.We explore what might come next, what it will take to reach the Court of Arbitration for Sport and how the saga can come to a satisfactory end.Meanwhile, out in Saudi Arabia, Tommy Fury outpointed Jake Paul over eight scrappy rounds. And that was that.This Week features a crossroads battle between Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas.Leav...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 4Ep. 10
IT was this week announced by the WBC that Conor Benn can return to their rankings even though he doesn’t appear to have a licence to fight with any governing body or boxing commission after failing two drug tests last year.The statement from the WBC is examined, so too what it says about the structure of boxing and the organisation’s ‘Clean Boxing Program.’There is also an attempt to offer a balanced view on Benn’s claims that eating eggs was the reason for failing tests…Please rate, review and...
Feb 23, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 9
HOURS before the WBC revealed their ruling on Conor Benn, we recorded a happy podcast, one that waxed lyrical about the wonderful Mauricio Lara-Leigh Wood contest and highlighted why, on Wednesday morning, boxing was one of the greatest sports on the planet.The smiles even remained while we previewed the eight-rounder between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.We were delighted, in This Week, to go back to the barnburner between Michael Katsidis and Graham Earl.For those tuning in to hear our view on cont...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 8
THE death of Ron Lewis was a horrible, sobering shock. In this week’s episode the extent of his impact on boxing, and how much he’ll be missed, is abundantly clear as the fraternity gather to pay tribute.We preview a fight he was scheduled to attend, the sumptuous featherweight showdown between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara. A genuine 50-50 that’s oh so hard to call, yet we nonetheless attempt to pick a winner.There’s news of Chris Eubank Jnr, Dec Spelman and, in a real treat for fans of a certai...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Season 4Ep. 7
THIS week it was confirmed that Anthony Joshua’s next opponent, on April 1 at the O2 Arena, will be Jermaine Franklin. The announcement coincided with DAZN increasing their monthly cost. What to make of all that?We look back on the performances of Amanda Serrano and Emanuel Navarrete, and ahead to this weekend’s action featuring Adam Azim and Rey Vargas.This Week goes back to the glorious year of 1997 and Naseem Hamed taking on Tom ‘Boom Boom’ Johnson.Please follow, leave a review, tell your fri...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 6
IN this week’s episode we examine the latest news regarding Conor Benn and the WBC and BBBofC following recent conversations with Mauricio Sulaiman and Robert Smith.On a far brighter note is the fight between Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde, largely because of the latter exceeding all expectation as he handed an established world champion his toughest fight to date.This Week goes back to a time when the light-heavies were ruled by another fearsome banger, Sergey Kovalev. Learn more about your ...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 5
