The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast cover art

The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

By: Matt Christie and Alex Steedman
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Every Thursday Matt Christie and Alex Steedman look at the latest boxing news headlines, review and preview the big fights and speak to the many fascinating characters who make boxing what it is. Want to get in touch? TheOpeningBellPodcast@Gmail.com Follow on X Matt = @MattCBoxingNews Alex: @alexsteedman Please follow, subscribe and leave us a review. Get bonus content on PatreonThe Opening Bell
Episodes
  • TYSON FURY vs WHO?!

    TYSON FURY vs WHO?!
    Jul 7 2026
    Oleksandr Usyk looks set to fight Deontay Wilder, potentially under the Zuffa umbrella, in a bout that could signal the end of the current heavyweight era. But not before we get Tyson Fury vs Mariusz Wach. Whether marking time or just wasting it, Fury's decision to fight a shot 46-year-old is curious. The good times seem to be just beginning for Abdullah Mason who rebounded from a slow start to stop Albert Bell in the 12th and final round. In This Week, we set the dial to 1991 and head back for some vintage Tony Lopez action as he takes on Lupe Gutierrez atop a bill that featured a young Lennox Lewis getting the better of Mike Weaver. Keep listening to The Opening Bell, folks; the sweetest sound in boxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • USYK RELINQUISHES, WHAT NOW?

    USYK RELINQUISHES, WHAT NOW?
    Jun 30 2026
    Oleksandr Usyk last week vacated three heavyweight titles to focus on a “last dance”. Who will be Usyk’s final dance partner? Where does his departure leave the rest of the division? And what does this decision mean for his legacy? Jaron ‘Boots” Ennis, meanwhile, at last found a befitting dance partner in Xander Zayas last weekend as the pair unleashed some sumptuous moves in Brooklyn. Ennis wasn’t perfect but reminded the boxing world exactly why he’s been held in high regard for such a long time. But then, with the fight being stuck behind a paywall, it’s easy to wonder if this was a missed opportunity to draw new fans to the sport. Ben Whittaker dazzled again on the undercard only days after one of British boxing’s most reliable showmen, Chris Eubank Jr, revealed his plans to keep fighting “until the wheels fall off” at the age of 36. We review Lewis Crocker’s tight loss to Liam Paro before heading back to the 1990s and not one but two “Sugar” Shane Mosley fights. Thanks to some classic Christie chaos we look at his victory over Wilfrido Ruiz in 1998 AND his beatdown of Wilfredo Rivera the following year. Thanks for listening to The Opening Bell, one and all. Your support is treasured. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • TURKI TELLS ‘EM

    TURKI TELLS ‘EM
    Jun 23 2026
    In a week when Ryan Garner scored a glorious victory in a stadium, Moses Itauma signed for his biggest test, and Boots Ennis is preparing for Xander Zayas, the biggest story is the one we know the least about: Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury. After much squabbling between various promoters about who is in control, when it will take place, and where it will be staged, Turki Alalshikh announced to the world that he is the one calling the shots. But what does the sport look like without Alalshikh in it; a very real possibility considering the recent reports about his health. Meanwhile, everyone’s ‘next heavyweight champion’ Itauma faced off with Filip Hrgovic to find someone completely unwilling to read the script. Will Hrgovic toe the line when they meet on August 29? Alex and Matt reflect on Garner’s thrilling triumph inside Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium, we look ahead to Ennis-Zayas, but arguably save the best for last… This Week is anchored in 1999 and a time when Johnny Tapia was taken by the biggest of surprises by Paulie Ayala. As ever with Tapia fights, this one has a heck of a backstory. The Opening Bell: Unbiased, unflinching, unmissable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
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