Episodes

  • OLEKSANDR USYK vs RICO VERHOEVEN

    OLEKSANDR USYK vs RICO VERHOEVEN
    May 21 2026
    Is Rico Verhoeven about to do the unthinkable and upset world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk? Well, no, of course he’s not, but what Usyk ultimately looks like and how he wins are certainly worthwhile questions. So too is the status of the belts as, in different ways, each of the WBC, IBF and WBA somehow approve this as a championship contest. Better is the undercard where Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr meet in a solid heavyweight eliminator and Jack Catterall goes in tough against Shakram Glyasov. Hamzah Sheeraz, however, might have an even easier night than Usyk when he battles Alem Bagic for a vacant title. The Opening Bell, the independent voice in boxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    20 mins
  • RYAN GARCIA vs CONOR BENN | CANELO RETURNS | HRGOVIC HAMMERS ALLEN

    RYAN GARCIA vs CONOR BENN | CANELO RETURNS | HRGOVIC HAMMERS ALLEN
    May 19 2026
    Though not yet formally announced, Ryan Garcia has signalled that a showdown with Conor Benn, at welterweight, will happen in Las Vegas on September 12. It seems certain to be one of the year’s biggest and most lucrative contests albeit a divisive one given their chequered pasts with drug-testing agencies. It’s set to occur on the same day that Canelo Alvarez returns, in Saudi Arabia, to challenge for a super middleweight belt against Christian Mbilli. Does this mean that Turki Alalshikh is plotting another all-conquering weekend extravaganza? Closer to home, in Doncaster, Dave Allen’s place in the heavyweight landscape was again revealed when he was pulled out in three rounds against Filip Hrgovic. The result was predictable, but again brings into focus the role of referees, trainers and doctors when it comes to stopping a fight. In This Week we go back to 1990, a new decade in its infancy and two of the finest fighters of the time – Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whittaker and Azumah Nelson – making their cases to be recognised among the leaders of the sport. The Opening Bell, the independent voice in boxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • IS DAVE ALLEN IN OVER HIS HEAD (YET AGAIN)?

    IS DAVE ALLEN IN OVER HIS HEAD (YET AGAIN)?
    May 12 2026
    Filip Hrgovic starts as a huge favourite, and for good reason, against Dave Allen this weekend. But does the affable Brit have any chance to score the upset?Allen’s losses seem to tell the story here but we highlight why Hrgovic might - and only might - come unstuck.Steedo, after calling right last week, reveals his bet of the weekend as we look closely at the form lines on the undercard.As always, friends, go well out there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • DUBOIS-WARDLEY: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH

    DUBOIS-WARDLEY: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH
    May 12 2026
    Daniel Dubois stopping Fabio Wardley was a generational thriller but, even so, it’s only fair to ask if the hellacious warfare went too far.There were questions about the timing of the stoppage, with some suggesting it came far too late, as Wardley’s face oozed blood and his battered body betrayed his lust for victory.Regardless, Dubois again confounded critics as he got off the floor, not one but twice, to regain a portion of the heavyweight crown.We look back, too, on the build-up and the uncomfortable nature of coverage that seemed to focus a little too cruelly on Dubois’ shortcomings in interviews.In This Week, we cruise back to 1999 for some Jorge Paez action and a completely unrecognisable Adam Smith showcasing his early commentary style.Thanks for being here, folks, we appreciate you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • WARDLEY vs. DUBOIS: WHO WINS? | USYK vs. BENAVIDEZ? | NAOYA INOUE

    WARDLEY vs. DUBOIS: WHO WINS? | USYK vs. BENAVIDEZ? | NAOYA INOUE
    May 5 2026
    With breath just about regained Alex Steedman and Matt Christie reflect on a whizzbang weekend that included a majestic victory for Naoya Inoue, a stunning demolition from David Benavidez, and a hellfire slugfest between Conah Walker and Sam Eggington. There’s also the not-so-small matter of Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois to discuss. That WBO heavyweight title fight is laced with intrigue and is all but guaranteed to deliver another rock ‘em, sock ‘em affair in the land of the giants. But who wins? Benavidez, though, is the current man of the moment after he took Gilberto Ramirez apart with astonishing savagery to leave fans – and now Team Benavidez – considering the prospect of a move to heavyweight and a challenge to Oleksandr Usyk. In Japan, there was mastery of a different kind on display as Inoue boxed beautifully to outpoint closest rival Junto Nakatani over 12 rounds. It was a contest of high quality but triggered the question: Did Nakatani give it absolutely everything? On the same day, Sam Eggington was yet again left bleeding and bruised after a two-way brawl with the irrepressible Conah Walker. We wonder if that might spell the end for Eggington and what comes next for Walker. In This Week we go back to 1989 when Herol Graham encountered Mike McCallum in a battle for the vacant WBA middleweight title and BBC staff, including Harry Carpenter, were on strike so no commentary was provided. What a time to be alive, folks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • THE JINX SPINKS BIOGRAPHER – JACK HIRSCH

    THE JINX SPINKS BIOGRAPHER – JACK HIRSCH
    May 1 2026
    In a real treat of a bonus podcast, we get to know a stalwart of the US boxing circuit, the one and only Jack Hirsch. Jack fell in love with boxing as a youngster but after a spell as an amateur and getting beaten up by world middleweight champions in sparring, he realised his calling was on the other side of the ropes. Witness to some of the most important fights in history, Jack talks us through watching Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran in New York, his move into journalism and getting to know the legends of the sport. One of those, the great light-heavyweight and heavyweight Michael ‘The Jinx’ Spinks is the subject of Jack’s first book. The process of writing that is a fascinating listen, as is his opinions on boxing journalism today. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • JOSHUA V FURY – MOSES NEXT MOVE – INOUE V NAKATANI – BENEVIDEZ V RAMIREZ

    JOSHUA V FURY – MOSES NEXT MOVE – INOUE V NAKATANI – BENEVIDEZ V RAMIREZ
    Apr 28 2026
    It’s on! Anthony Joshua will at last fight Tyson Fury. But hang on, will he really? The contracts have been signed but Joshua must get through a July 25th fight before that. He also needs to see how he feels being back in the ring after the tragic events of four months ago. And will Fury have an interim fight himself? With this pair, we just don’t know. Also set to fight on July 25th is Moses Itauma but he has no opponent in place yet. We examine the reasons why this next step is such a crucial one for Itauma’s development. The upcoming weekend is shaping up to be a cracker with Inoue – Nakatani, Ramirez – Benevidez and Walker – Eggington to enjoy. And finally in This Week, we cruise back to 1980 for some Wilfredo Gomez action which commentator Howard Cossell describes as a “national embarrassment.’ Keep it real folks, stick with The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • THE PROSPECT - REESE LYNCH

    THE PROSPECT - REESE LYNCH
    Apr 25 2026
    Time for The Opening Bell podcast to check in with unbeaten boxer Reese Lynch for a glimpse behind the scenes in the life of a boxing prospect. We talk sparring sensibly, dealing with cuts, going on after the main event, money, haircuts, fight outfits and much, much more. The Prospect series hopes to lift the bonnet on the boxing business so follow, subscribe and stay tuned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 mins