With the boxing calendar between seasons we spread the conversation far and wide, much like Eddie Hearn's public persona. As Matchroom Boxing prepare to get the Netflix treatment, we look back on the impact the promoter has made in British boxing and beyond - and focus also on his signing of Shakur Stevenson. After a nondescript boxer was caught out for doping on the recent Los Angeles bill we ask the question: How rife is doping and how many cheats actually get caught? We also re-examine the po...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 20
https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast Your good friends at The Opening Bell are delighted to present our new weekly series - ‘Boxing’s Best’ - where, every Saturday morning, we focus on a specific subject within boxing and reveal our own Top 10 favourites. Kicking things off is Boxing’s Best One-Punch KOs. From Julian Jackson knocking out Herol Graham to Andy Lee knocking out John Jackson, we cover a lot of ground in this one while recalling exactly what it’s like to be at ringside in th...
Aug 24, 2024•8 min
The latest Saudi event has been unveiled with a whopping 84 rounds scheduled featuring fighters from Top Rank, Matchroom, Queensberry and Boxxer. The main event, Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol, can’t be faulted and therefore sells itself. Which begs the question: Is a gargantuan undercard, that will last for hours and contains only one 50/50 affair, really necessary? We examine the ongoing - and still unclear - implications of the Saudi takeover in detail. The performances of Christian Mbilli a...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Billy and Bakole; Billy Nelson on Martin Bakole as the big time beckons. Listen to the full interview + all our other bonus content + get AD free listening via our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 16, 2024•8 min
Chris Eubank Jr promises a May 2025 date with Canelo Alvarez, but if that doesn’t happen, has his career been a success? We also ask if Martin Bakole could have obliterated a peak George Foreman while looking back on two serious contenders for Fight and KO of the year. This Week takes you back to the days of the ‘Old Mongoose’ and the one and only Archie Moore. You decide if he’s 45 or 48! https://x.com/bbcnews/status/1821813065408520681?s=48&t=-0A88ThNwioQY2Hi5HAMCw Support the pod on Patre...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The case of Imane Khelif has dominated the sporting headlines this week, casting a shadow over the Olympic Games in the process. Whether she should have been permitted to fight is a separate matter to the treatment she’s received and both subjects are dealt with in detail. Israil Madrimov ran Terence Crawford much closer than we predicted to leave question marks over the brilliant American’s future (and our ability to predict fights). Please support us if you can by subscribing to Patreon. If yo...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This week Matt and Alex reflect on the all British heavyweight battle between Derek Chisora and Joe Joyce; a heroic though worrying effort from two ageing boxing warriors. Star man Terence Crawford returns after a year and moves up in weight to face a younger, hungry champion while This Week in history we remember the hard hitting little man Vic Darchinyan. And with Cycling facing an ongoing public battle with perception and performance, we discuss the real legacy of cheating in Sport and where ...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 16
This week we dive into the all British heavyweight clash between Joe Joyce and Derek Chisora with the help of Big Joe’s coach Steve Broughton, offering insight into mindset and preparation at this crucial stage of a boxing career. With Christie on holiday, again, producer Darren Rees pops in to review a terrific British title fight he saw from ringside last weekend in Nathan Heaney v Brad Pauls, the rematch. Might we see a trilogy? Thanks again to all those who have supported the continuation of...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 15
On the same week that Boots Ennis edged forward, Chris Eubank Jr considered an offer from Canelo Alvarez and Derek Chisora got into a scuffle on a London Street. Victory over the plucky but outclassed David Avanesyan told us nothing new about Ennis but his promise was certainly reaffirmed. Eubank Jr’s promise, meanwhile, may not have long left. So why on earth is he not signing on the dotted line to face the most marketable fighter in the sport? In This Week, we go back to the thriller-rich year...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The bi-annual Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes are well underway and a surprise leader in the race to take on the Mexican superstar is none other than Chris Eubank Jr. Elsewhere, the Ryan Garcia story has gone from bad to revolting with little sign of a happy ending. There was some rough luck for O’Shaquie Foster on the scorecards and Shakur Stevenson, now a free agent, once again coasted to a victory that failed to excite. In This Week In History we go back 14 years to ride the Amir Khan rollercoaste...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
The week in which Anthony Joshua went nose to nose with Daniel Dubois and squabbled with Carl Froch was also when Bam Rodriguez confirmed his superstar qualities when he trounced the great Juan Francisco Estrada. Yet it was Joshua’s declaration of help for Ringside Charitable Trust that was arguably the greatest statement of a busy period. Elsewhere, the WBC insist that the comeback of 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao is a terrific idea, Teofimo Lopez went 12 rounds again and Sunny Edwards returned to...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Fury raised eyebrows this week with his suggestion it was too easy early on against Usyk; that he was simply having too much fun. We try to make sense of a boxer’s dilemma. Sunny Edwards faces a similar conundrum on his return this weekend on the undercard of Estrada v Bam Rodriguez. This excellent fight is previewed in detail. Tyler Denny’s latest big win is reviewed with the leading question; Can Denny snag a big name in a big fight? And Ryan Garcia’s is in the news. Again. His positive test p...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Once again, with that familiar sense of inevitability, Gervonta Davis caught up with his opponent and left him barely conscious with a brutal finish. This time it was Frank Martin being run over by ‘Tank’ but what comes next is unknown. Bob Arum has been talking up Vasyl Lomachenko, an opponent befitting of the American’s talents, but arguments can be made that Davis is doing just fine as he is. We also look back on Chris Billam-Smith’s points success over Richard Riakporhe, a new pinnacle in th...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 10
A warm welcome awaits you at the sound of this week’s Opening Bell. A huge weekend approaches with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis making his latest play to be the biggest boxing star in America when he takes on fellow southpaw, Frank Martin. In the UK, Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe renew their rivalry in a fascinating battle. We also discuss the latest exploits of Tyson Fury while focusing on the tricky boxing afterlife and talk to the one and only Andy Clarke about his critically acclaimed bo...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
After solving a technical hitch we’re delighted to bring you this week’s Opening Bell, just a day or two later than planned. Recorded on Wednesday, we look back on the 5 v 5 bill and reflect on Daniel Dubois’ arrival, Deontay Wilder’s exit and some seriously impressive showings from Nick Ball, Hamzah Sheeraz and Willy Hutchinson. In This Week In History we shuttle back to 1997 and a record-breaking slugfest between Ike Ibeabuchi and David Tua. Thanks for your love and patience. We appreciate you...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Listen to the full 5 v 5 review show here: https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast In a special podcast we look back on the 5 vs 5 show from Saudi Arabia and name the biggest winner on a night of memorable performances. Daniel Dubois was perhaps the biggest of all with a bombastic showing to break down and rip up Filip Hrgovic in eight rounds. That showing is in focus here along with Deontay Wilder’s fall at the hands of Zhilei Zhang. Once again, we thank you adorable lot for joining us. Y...
Jun 03, 2024•7 min
A snippet from our patreon-only pod previewing the 5 v 5 this weekend. You can listen to the whole episode on our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast In the first of many special podcasts for our beautiful Opening Bell Patreons, we break down each of the fights and predict the winners on this weekend’s 5 v 5 event in Saudi Arabia. Will Wilder beat Zhang? Can Dubois upset Hrgovic? Does Ball have what it takes to dethrone Ford? What happens when Sheeraz fights Williams? Doe...
May 30, 2024•10 min
Here we go again. Another fight between Jack Catterall and Josh Taylor and another scoring controversy. But were the scores that favoured Catterall by 117-111 really that wide of the mark? Whether they were or not, Bob Arum’s cameo at the end arguably stole the entire show. We examine the fight, the cards and Great Uncle Bob’s outburst while wondering what’s next for both Catterall and Taylor. We look ahead to the 5 v 5 in Saudi Arabia and, in a special treat, head back to 1980s and some vintage...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In a special bonus podcast we examine the rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall. It’s been two years since boxing fans lost their minds over the decision of fight one when Taylor, despite being dropped and outworked, won on a split vote. We examine what’s happened since, where each of the fighters are now compared to where they were, and who is the likeliest winner. If you haven’t done so already, please leave a review and tell your friends, family and neighbours about The Opening Bell....
May 23, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Four days have passed since Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury to become the ‘undisputed’ heavyweight champion. The magic of that victory and occasion still fills the air in the boxing world but, already, one of the sanctioning bodies is hinting that Usyk might be stripped. Which begs the question: What really is the point of those sanctioning bodies? We take a deep dive into the fight, re-examine the scoring, the momentum swings, the voices in Fury’s ear and wonder if a rematch is really the be...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Oleksandr Usyk last night scaled the highest of mountains when he defeated Tyson Fury in a truly great contest to become the one and only king at heavyweight. Here, at The Opening Bell, it’s the morning after the night before and through bleary eyes we attempt to make sense of what we witnessed. The momentum shifts, the intelligence, the sheer excitement and incredible skill level combined to create a contest that somehow exceeded all expectations. Thanks as always for your incredible support. P...
May 19, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Pinch yourself folks, it’s here. Or at least we hope it is! Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are at last mere days away from deciding the best heavyweight on the planet and, cor blimey, are we excited. Let’s try and forget the problems that piled up to make us wait 25 years for a fight like this and ignore, if we can, the idiotic actions of John Fury and his bloody noggin. Because this is all about the fight, the occasion, what it means to the sport and, at this stage, predicting a winner. Given th...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 3
What a week it was for the sport of boxing. It had a bit of everything that we’ve come to expect in this incredible sport. From masterful showings by Naoya Inoue and Canelo Alvarez to Ryan Garcia failing a drug test after sucking on some tree bark capsules, it certainly gave us plenty to talk about. The performances of Canelo and Inoue take centre stage following their respective victories over Jaime Munguia and Luis Nery. Both were impressive for different reasons. Garcia’s failed test(s) remin...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 2
WELCOME you lovely people! Thank you for joining us as The Opening Bell flies the nest to go it alone. Your company is hugely appreciated. It’s fight week in Las Vegas where Jaime Munguia is the latest fighter to try to prove that Canelo Alvarez has seen better days. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Naoya Inoue is readying himself for Luis Nery. What a few days approaching! Meanwhile, the Texas commission have decided to give a boxing licence to 57-year-old Mike Tyson. What’s all that about? Finally, we rem...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 1
This is the new home for the opening bell podcast. Every Thursday Matt Christie and Alex Steedman l ook at the latest news headlines, review and preview the big fights and speak to the many fascinating characters who make the sport what it is. Want to get in touch? TheOpeningBellPodcast@Gmail.com X: https://twitter.com/openingbellpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopeningbellpod/?igsh=bXd6dnE4eWFubjZw \ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theopeningbell?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc...
Apr 24, 2024•4 min
