The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast
The Opening Bell is a weekly boxing podcast hosted by journalists Matt Christie and Alex Steedman. Each Thursday they run through the latest boxing news headlines and break down the sport's biggest stories. They review recent fights and preview upcoming cards, often joined by fighters, trainers and other figures from the boxing world. Listeners can send questions and feedback by email or follow the hosts on X.
Episodes
ROBERT SMITH: THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB
Robert Smith, as the General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, has what can only be described as the hardest and most impossible job in British boxing.
Never one to duck a question, Robert highlights how hard his role is as we discuss the latest controversial decision to leave observers screaming 'robbery', the actions of a referee who twice opted to ignore the towel after it had
AUDLEY HARRISON IN-DEPTH; DUBOIS-WARDLEY II
Audley Harrison has lived an extraordinary life. Yet for so long, his critics focused on what he hadn't achieved rather than what he had.
Audley puts the record straight this week as he discusses his journey to Olympic glory and, in detail, the rollercoaster professional career that followed.
He reflects on the breakdown he suffered and the panic attacks that followed. The defeats to the likes o
DISSECTING THE SURGEON; MAYWEATHER, CHISORA PLOT RETURNS
What started out as plain sailing for Ben Whittaker hit choppy waters in the late rounds of his battle with Conor Wallace. 'The Surgeon', however, just about stayed afloat to remain unbeaten in his first 12-round fight.
As ever with Whittaker, the critics came out in mass. Was the criticism fair? Or was it merely a young fighter finding his way through a tough spot? The referee, Kieran McCann, al
MIKE COSTELLO ON JOSHUA-FURY
Mike Costello, former BBC and DAZN commentator and one of the wisest figures in boxing, is here to discuss his career, his retirement, and his thoughts on the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury saga.
Costello relives his experiences at ringside, the life it gave him, and the memories he will always cherish. From his days at the BBC through to the end of his career - as he made the switch from radio to tel
JOSHUA-FURY IN JEOPARDY?! SERIOUSLY?!
Mere days after Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is confirmed, we're told it's in jeopardy.
Matt Christie lets off some steam on the subject and the eternal circus that is the sport of boxing.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Recorded at the EXACT moment when Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury was confirmed as a done deal for December 11 in Cardiff, The Opening Bell has another important announcement to bring you.
Our beloved Alex Steedman has chosen to leave the podcast. That's the bad news. And it's horrible, crushing news.
The good news is that The Opening Bell will continue - should, of course, you want it to.
Matt Chri
RYAN GARCIA TROUNCES CONOR BENN
Ryan Garcia defeated Conor Benn, stopping him in less than five minutes out in Las Vegas. The contest itself was immeasurably shorter than the build-up that focused on Benn's struggle to boil down to 147lbs but was this really a contest decided by one man's struggle to make weight?
In the Opening Bell studio this week is Tris Dixon, one of the most respected boxing journalists in the business, wh
GARCIA v BENN, LAS VEGAS PREVIEW
It's fight week in Las Vegas and Chris McKenna, nursing a minor hangover out in Sin City, is this week's guest on The Opening Bell.
Garcia makes the first defence of his WBC welterweight title against Benn. The fight is interesting for different reasons and worthy of several questions.
Does it feel like a big fight week? Why (oh why) is Benn No. 1 at welterweight with the WBC when he hasn't made
THE FALL OF MOSES
In a startling collapse that culminated one of the most dramatic
heavyweight fights of the year, Moses Itauma ultimately met his match in the
shape of the rugged and unyielding Filip Hrgovic. But what came before that
fateful ninth round should tell us two things: Hrgovic is built differently to most
and Itauma, for different reasons, is also one of a kind.
So, what went wrong? Plenty
have sugges
MOSES ITAUMA: THE FUTURE IS NOW
Despite all the noise reverberating from the negotiations between
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – noise that, unfortunately, we must address – a
meaningful, and potentially pivotal, heavyweight title clash occurs this
weekend when Moses Itauma duels with Filip Hrgovic.
Will this be the fight when we
see Itauma truly tested or, as the oddsmakers suggest, will it be another
one-sided triumph for th
BACK TO THE FUTURE
What do we want? AJ vs. Fury! Where do want it? At this point, who cares…
Dana White this week came out and revealed he’s brokered the TV and site deals for Joshua vs. Fury but the old problem remains: Both fighters signed contracts with different locations, dates, and terms. Whether it happens or not, we are getting to the point of no return for this heavyweight showdown that, frankly, should al
BROOK BACK: EUBANK NEXT?
Kell Brook this week announced he will be coming back in a
‘massive fight’ later in the year at the age of 40, highlighting once again how
difficult peace of mind is to find in the boxing afterlife. Chris Eubank Jnr,
who could soon be another case in point, has been rumoured as the opponent and
proves, once again, there is little that can be done when ageing boxers, fit
and well on the surface, wa
START SPREADING THE NEWS
On the week when it looks all but certain that the all-British
heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will land in New
York, a fight with serious consequences for the current title picture in the
division – Moses Itauma and Frank Sanchez on August 29 – was upgraded to an IBF
title fight.
The Fury-Joshua news will no
doubt make those already in a spin about the location lose th
JOSHUA v FURY: OVERCOOKED
After the performances of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury last
weekend, there can now be no doubt that the two British heavyweights are both
past their best. Furthermore, it is more obvious than ever before that the
fight we wanted all those years ago – when they were 1 and 2 in the heavyweight
division – is gone forever.
So, what are we left with?
Joshua remains a frightful puncher, that much is c
JOSHUA, FURY AND SPENCE TEST FATHER TIME
Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Errol Spence will all this weekend exhibit what is left of themselves. Even if it turns out to be very little, that should still be enough for Joshua and Fury to triumph against Kristian Prenga and Mariusz Wach respectively. If the point of those exercises is questionable then the task that awaits Spence is, by comparison, somewhat formidable.
He takes on Tim Tszyu
JOYCE, CHISORA & THE LONG GOODBYE
Joe Joyce
was again on the wrong end of a painful loss, one that might, this time, mean
the end. But that’s easy for those who merely watch and pass judgement to say.
A case in
point, when examining how difficult retirement is for a fighter to accept is
Derek Chisora who teased another return by going nose-to-nose with Murat
Gassiev on the same Russia event where Joyce was defeated.
We examine
t
TYSON FURY vs WHO?!
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
USYK RELINQUISHES, WHAT NOW?
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 w
TURKI TELLS ‘EM
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
BAM V INOUE IS BETTER THAN AJ – FURY
As self-proclaimed President of the Jessie ‘Bam’ Rodriguez
appreciation society, we welcome fan favourite commentator and former World
Champion boxer Barry Jones to The Opening Bell Pod to assess the latest Bam performance.
Is Inoue a weight too far and a fight too soon? We discuss the latest on the
FURY – AJ saga while running the rule over the upcoming fights including Ryan
Garner’s title elimin
ZUFFA vs MATCHROOM
Saturday night saw Eddie Hearn and Dana White go head-to-head, even though miles apart, when they both staged TV shows on UK soil.White likely won that battle, as Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki turned their Zuffa colours red with a violent and bloody slugfest. White wasn’t done there, however.At the post-fight press conference he questioned Hearn’s true influence in world boxing as he claimed
THE JOSHUA RELAUNCH
Anthony Joshua faced the media for the first time this week since tragedy turned his life upside down six months ago. Joshua was focused, determined and suitably prickly as he examined Kristian Prenga, his July 25 opponent. But can the superstar really make it all the way back?Adam Azim barely broke a sweat on Saturday night as he pummelled Steve Claggett. Now it’s time for the leash to come off.M
IS THE END NIGH FOR USYK?
Rico Verhoeven almost turned the boxing world upside down on Saturday night until Oleksandr Usyk, at last, found enough of himself to win the fight.But was his sluggish showing merely an abberation, or does this mark the beginning of the end for the legendary Usyk?Joining Matt to dissect the fight, its ending, and potential consequences is Atheltic and BBC boxing journalist, Chris McKenna.The subj
OLEKSANDR USYK vs RICO VERHOEVEN
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
RYAN GARCIA vs CONOR BENN | CANELO RETURNS | HRGOVIC HAMMERS ALLEN
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 challeng
IS DAVE ALLEN IN OVER HIS HEAD (YET AGAIN)?
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
DUBOIS-WARDLEY: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH
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
WARDLEY vs. DUBOIS: WHO WINS? | USYK vs. BENAVIDEZ? | NAOYA INOUE
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
THE JINX SPINKS BIOGRAPHER – JACK HIRSCH
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 throu
JOSHUA V FURY – MOSES NEXT MOVE – INOUE V NAKATANI – BENEVIDEZ V RAMIREZ
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 Ita
THE PROSPECT - REESE LYNCH
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.
Lea
RISE OF WHITTAKER – FALL OF KINAHAN
Ben Whittaker unleashed his latest dazzling display at the
weekend with another early blowout. But is the newfound fire enough to take him
to the top? And if it is, which opponents does he need to get there?
The fall of Daniel Kinahan, who last week was arrested in
Dubai, will leave many wondering if those who were happy to do business with
him a few years ago remain so today.
There is breaking
FURY V JOSHUA? – BENN’S POWER CUT
Tyson Fury returned, beat Arslanbek Makhmudov, then thought
all he had to do was shout at ringsider Anthony Joshua to secure his next big
fight. But it didn’t quite work out like that. Regardless, the Fury of 2026
-though not the Fury of 2020- proved he’s still among the sprightliest
heavyweights around. The watching AJ, however, wasn’t overly impressed.
Conor Benn’s evening didn’t exactly go to
DEL BOY’S LAST STAND? TYSON FURY RETURNS
Was the punishing and chaotic loss to Deontay Wilder really
Derek Chisora’s last fight? Though dramatic in places, it certainly felt like
the end of something. The performance of Chisora, again beyond plucky, triggers
discussion about the complexities of retirement. Wilder meanwhile, just about
proved there might be some gas left in the tank but how far can that feasibly
take him?
Which leads us
CHISORA V WILDER – DENZEL BENTLEY
Who’d have thought that the war-torn Derek Chisora would
ever start as favourite to beat Deontay Wilder, once the most explosive of
heavyweights? But that’s where we are with Wilder exhibiting wear and tear and
Chisora, by comparison, chugging along, surprising well. Which leads us to the
question; Who wins? And what does that win look like?
We hear from Denzel Bentley who talks candidly about
la
MOSES THE MAN: CAN ANYONE STOP MOSES ITAUMA?
Well, well, well. What a performance from Moses Itauma to
cement his reputation as the heavyweight king in waiting. But is everyone – and
we mean everyone – getting too excited on the strength of a victory over
Jermaine Franklin, a fighter who had previously lost his biggest fights? Or is
the expectancy surrounding Itauma, arguably the most hyped heavyweight in
history, truly justified?
As well a
EDUCATING MOSES ITAUMA
The man widely regarded as the next dominant heavyweight,
Moses Itauma, continues his education against Jermaine Franklin this weekend.
But what to expect from Franklin? Nobody expects him to win but some are predicting
he’ll be the first to provide the youngster with a semblance of a test.
Over in America, Keith Thurman looks to roll back the years
against Sebastian Fundora. Will the ‘Towering I
WHO PROMOTES TYSON FURY?
It emerged last week that Spencer Brown - not Dana White, Bob Arum or Frank Warren - will promote Tyson Fury's return in April. We explore the reasons why and the wider implications of that as Zuffa continue to make noise all over the boxing world.
Arum's Top Rank return with a new, Dazn broadcasting deal, Anthony Cacace edges Jazza Dickens and also in Dublin, Pierce O'Leary makes a statement.
M
NEW ERA? – ZUFFA V IBF – ORTIZ V OSCAR – BRITISH BOXING AWARDS
Jai Opetaia’s quest for ‘undisputed’ recognition hit a snag
when the IBF belatedly refused to sanction his bout with Brandon Glanton. Will
his allegiance to Zuffa mean he’ll have to rethink his ambitions?
We catch up on the ongoing developments with Vergil Ortiz,
who was seemingly close to fighting Jaron Ennis, in his quest to unshackle
himself from Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy promotions.
A
BOXING AT WAR: Usyk v Kick-Boxer, Benn v Prograis, Skinny Pacquiao.
Another mad week in the boxing business saw temperatures rise, battle lines drawn and shots fired. What, or who, will be left standing? There was the billion-dollar Queensberry lawsuit, the WBC fighting for relevancy by sanctioning a fight between their heavyweight champion and a boxing novice from martial arts while Conor Benn's next opponent wasn't as promised. There is appreciation for the unus
BENN LEAVES EDDIE - MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO II - GARCIA BEATS BARRIOS - WOOD WALLOPS WARRINGTON
BENN LEAVES EDDIE - MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO II - GARCIA BEATS BARRIOS - WOOD WALLOPS WARRINGTON
Zuffa Boxing made an astonishing play when they swooped to steal Conor Benn away from long-time promoter Eddie Hearn. Will Benn be proved right to leave, or will he regret walking away from Matchroom?
In another unexpected development, the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was confirmed
RECONSTRUCTION (BONUS)
Powerful people think they know what Boxing needs and are preparing to mould it to their own wants and beliefs. But are they right?
In this special bonus pod, Alex and Matt explore the latest moves from Dana White and TKO/Zuffa while wondering what this means for the future of the Sport and those around it.
Including the latest fight news with analysis and opinion.
This bonus pod is and earl
THE POND, THE ATLANTIC AND TYSON FURY | WARRINGTON-WOOD II I SMOKIN’ BERT COOPER
THE POND, THE ATLANTIC AND TYSON FURY | WARRINGTON-WOOD II I SMOKIN’ BERT COOPER
Tyson Fury is back with promises of domination and soundbites aplenty. But will Arslanbek Makhmudov really find competing with him as difficult as swimming the Atlantic in bad weather? And is Fury really planning to do his fighting without a trainer? And when will John Fury just grow up?
Elsewhere at heavyweight, Fa
HEARTBREAKER | FIGUEROA STOPS BALL | WBC UNDER FIRE | MAYWEATHER LAWSUIT
Nick Ball is the latest fighter to understand what makes Brandon Figueroa so effective following last gasp drama in Liverpool.
Elsewhere, the WBC is again under fire over sanctioning fees. Is the industry about to turn its back on the alphabet groups?
Floyd Mayweather, meanwhile, is chasing money again as he files a lawsuit designed to earn him north of $300m.
We also catch up on the hairline o
BALANCE OF POWER | SUPREME SHAKUR | JOSH KELLY | TYSON FURY | BALL vs FIGUEROA
BALANCE OF POWER | SUPREME SHAKUR | JOSH KELLY | TYSON FURY | BALL vs FIGUEROA
As 2026 gathers pace in the boxing world, figures like Dana White, Eddie Hearn, Turki Alalshikh and Oscar De La Hoya are jostling for power. Will those sizeable egos be able to work together or are we facing a new battle: Zuffa vs DAZN?
Shakur Stevenson turned on the style to dominate Teofimo Lopez and signal his arri
TEOFIMO LOPEZ vs SHAKUR STEVENSON | DEONTAY WILDER vs DEREK CHISORA | BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV vs JOSH KELLY
TEOFIMO LOPEZ vs SHAKUR STEVENSON | DEONTAY WILDER vs DEREK CHISORA | BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV vs JOSH KELLY
It’s a Teofimo Lopez fight week which can mean only one thing: We have no idea which Teofimo Lopez is going to turn up.
As well as studying the form for his showdown with Shakur Stevenson, we look ahead to Josh Kelly’s date with destiny and wonder if now is the time for those bags of potential
TANK GOES MISSING | ORTIZ vs OSCAR | CRUZ vs MURATELLA | ZUFFA MAKE MOVES
TANK GOES MISSING | ORTIZ vs OSCAR | CRUZ vs MURATELLA | ZUFFA MAKE MOVES
The career of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is surely over following the latest charges placed against his name… That he’s nowhere to be found won’t help, either.
Zuffa prepare to show the boxing world what they’ve made of but is the signing of Jai Opetaia a more accurate indicator of their long-term plans?
Vergil Ortiz made his
DYNAMITE DALTON SMITH | TYSON FURY RETURNS | ANTHONY JOSHUA | INOUE vs NAKATANI
DYNAMITE DALTON SMITH | TYSON FURY RETURNS | ANTHONY JOSHUA | INOUE vs NAKATANI
Reflections on the inspirational performance from Dalton Smith out in Brooklyn where he stood tall to upset Subriel Matias in five violent rounds.
The almost inevitable comeback of Tyson Fury was all but confirmed over Christmas but what do his predictions about future brain damage tell us about the lure of fighting?
LESSONS IN POSITIVITY | JOE GALLAGHER
LESSONS IN POSITIVITY | JOE GALLAGHER
Joe Gallagher, one of the heroes of 2025, tells The Opening Bell how he found the mental strength to beat cancer.
There were times, he admits, when his pride was dented but not once did he allow fears about the worst case scenario to linger.
‘It was always f*** cancer, I will beat you,’ he tells us. From the long nights in hospital to the days he forced him
2025 - A YEAR IN BOXING. (YEAR REVIEW)
https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcast/home
2025 has been some year in boxing. A strange, noisy, unforgettable year that demanded our attention whether we wanted to give it or not.
There were great nights in packed stadiums where fighters shone and reminded us why we keep coming back. Skill, courage, timing, the simple beauty of it all when everything clicks. And then there were the mom
JOSHUA BREAKS JAKE | IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF JOSHUA-PAUL | TERENCE CRAWFORD | TROY WILLIAMSON
Boxing fans got what they wanted when Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul, breaking his jaw in two places. Or did they?
That Paul lasted into the sixth round has only given the supposed imposter an even bigger platform to shout from. That he suffered a broken jaw is now his most treasured badge of honour.
What did it all really say about both, though? Was Paul better than we expected? Was Joshu
JOSHUA vs. PAUL - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? | DIEGO PACHECO | TERENCE CRAWFORD | MICHAEL CARBAJAL
JOSHUA vs. PAUL - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? | DIEGO PACHECO | TERENCE CRAWFORD | MICHAEL CARBAJAL
Anthony Joshua is really going to fight Jake Paul, it seems. But what can we expect? A real fight? A gruesome mismatch? Or, dare we even think it, an upset of the ages?
Before we get stuck into the most obscure of main courses we chew on the other talking points.
Like… Terence Crawford vs. WBC; Jimmy’s Co
STATE OF THE GAME WITH ANDY CLARKE
This week we welcome Sky Sports lead commentator Andy Clarke to the pod for a peer in and around the current state of boxing across the world.
Currently in Dubai for the IBA championships, Andy’s experiences in both amateur and professional boxing means he’s well placed to discuss the challenges facing the Sport today.
Tune in and enjoy and once again thanks to those supporting the pod for les
WEIGHT OF THE MATTER | BEN WHITTAKER | KATIE TAYLOR | WBC CONVENTION
WEIGHT OF THE MATTER | BEN WHITTAKER | KATIE TAYLOR | WBC CONVENTION
Out at the WBC Convention in Bangkok, the current system of weighing in the day before the fight has been examined in-depth. Is it time for authorities to now switch weigh-ins back to the same day?
Also in Bangkok, the ratings meetings got underway, Katie Taylor confirmed plans to do battle with Ronda Rousey and, at the gala di
HANEY vs BENN | BEN WHITTAKER | CLARKE vs TKV
Devin Haney dominated Brian Norman Jr last weekend, won a world belt in a third weight class, only to be met by criticism from Conor Benn.
Does Benn warrant a shot at Haney and, should he get one, can he win?
We also look ahead to a busy weekend in Britain when Ben Whittaker makes his Matchroom debut in a contest surely designed for him to make a statement and remind fans what all the fuss is ab
BEAUTY OF BAM RODRIGUEZ | BENAVIDEZ BLASTS YARDE | MASON AND NOAKES
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez might not have been top of the bill in Saudi Arabia but, wow, his talent again suggested there are few - if any - below him when it comes to all-round brilliance.
The headliner was David Benavidez proving his light-heavyweight prowess against Anthony Yarde. What does that emphatic stoppage mean for the man on the wrong end of it and is Benavidez wise to move up in weight aga
STAR SPOTTING IN SAUDI (BONUS)
Star Spotting in Saudi
The stars, present and future, are out in Riyadh as we preview a night of top world championship boxing.
The big questions are;
Can Anthony Yarde make it third time lucky against the hipsters bogey man David Benevidez?
Is Devon Haney as good as he thinks is and does Brian Norman Jnr have the answers?
Is Abdullah Mason boxing’s next big thing or will Sam Noakes rise to
ANTHONY JOSHUA vs… JAKE PAUL??! | BENN BEATS EUBANK | PARKER | USYK | WARDLEY | JONES JR-TONEY
Two days after Conor Benn humbled Chris Eubank Jnr, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would fight, gulp, Jake Paul on December 20.
Now there’s a sentence that would have astonished pretty much everyone only one year ago.
But it doesn’t end there.
Joseph Parker failed a test for cocaine; Oleksandr Usyk has lost a belt; and, wait for it, Fabio Wardley is a world heavyweight champion.
In an
EUBANK JR vs BENN II | ITAUMA NEXT FIGHT | VERGIL ORTIZ | KASH FAROOQ
EUBANK JR vs BENN II | ITAUMA NEXT FIGHT | VERGIL ORTIZ | KASH FAROOQ
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are preparing to fight again so strap yourselves because we’ve got plenty to talk about.
Who will have learned more from the first fight and be able to exhibit the most improvement? Will the BoMac factor make a difference? Where are the fighters heads at? And will Senior be there at all?
Meanwhi
EUBANK JR & THE AMBULANCE | BUATSI-PARKER DECISION | FALL OF TANK | PEAK GGG
EUBANK JR & THE AMBULANCE | BUATSI-PARKER DECISION | FALL OF TANK | PEAK GGG
Chris Eubank Jr is doubling down on claims that his ambulance was blocked after his gruelling win over Conor Benn. What are the implications of the new footage?
Last weekend, Joshua Buatsi was called the winner over Zach Parker after a forgettable 10-rounder that reignited debate over the quality of judging in the UK. W
THE INCREDIBLE MR WARDLEY | WHAT NOW FOR PARKER? | CHISORA-WHYTE III | EVANDER HOLYFIELD
Examining the bombastic rise of Fabio Wardley which has now astonishingly left Joseph Parker scrambling for breath in the rubble below.
But should Parker be punished too severely for rolling the dice again? And we also wonder whether Oleksandr Usyk will really entertain a contest with Wardley at this stage of his career.
It looks like we’re heading for Derek Chisora-Dillian Whyte III, yet anothe
RACE FOR USYK | PARKER vs WARDLEY | TKO ‘TAKEOVER’ | GEORGE LIDDARD
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley each risk their position in the heavyweight sweepstakes while knowing only the winner of their collision will be invited to challenge Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker will rightly be the favourite but is the New Zealander’s ‘renaissance’ being overstated when one examines his recent opponents more carefully? Throw in Wardley’s astonishing will to win, alongside the potency h
IN-DEPTH WITH DAVID PRICE | AUDLEY HARRISON | JARON ENNIS
IN-DEPTH WITH DAVID PRICE | AUDLEY HARRISON | JARON ENNIS
In a searingly honest interview, Olympic medalist and former British heavyweight champion David Price reflects on his eventful career, detailing the highs of the early days and how he reset to cope with what followed.
He’s taken back to 2012 and his bombastic knockout of Audley Harrison, a night when Price looked on the brink of conquerin
ALLEN vs MAKHMUDOV | BEN WHITTAKER | NATHANIEL COLLINS
MEMORABILIA FAIR THIS SATURDAY (11th October 2025) AT DICK COLLINS HALL, ROBERT STREET, LONDON, FROM 1:30PM TO 5:30PM.
Has Dave Allen bitten off more than he can chew with Arslanbek Makhmudov or is the threat that awaits the British heavyweight somewhat overrated?
Ben Whittaker has made the switch from Boxxer to Matchroom but can Eddie Hearn work his old magic with his current box of tricks?
Wh
STATE OF THE GAME | BOXING MEDIA | RICKY HATTON
In a special episode, Matt is joined by Tris Dixon as they take a deep dive into the state of boxing in 2025.
Is the sport in rude health, as those currently earning handsomely from the involvement of Turki Alalshikh always suggest, or is the sport struggling in the midst of a new era?
Up for discussion is the length and frequency of boxing shows, the positives and negatives of the Saudi invasio
TRASH TALKING
The countdown to Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn II officially began last week as the press conference, such as it was, almost immediately boiled over into chaos.
Eubank’s astonishing claims painted some dreadful pictures that British boxing could have done without. And it leaves some seasoned observers preparing to watch happens next through their fingers.
In far more warming fare, Alex and Matt wer
RICKY HATTON: THE ONE & ONLY
In a special tribute to Ricky Hatton, we reflect on the career that took him to the Hall of Fame, and the man who was adored by millions.
From his early career, when the road ahead seemed neverending, to the fights that shaped a world champion who would become a British boxing legend.
Through it all are personal memories of Hatton, insights into his adorable character, his wicked sense of humou
BUD WISER
https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast
On Saturday night, against the mighty Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford exhibited superior speed, skills, and smarts as he captured an era-defining victory on the cards. It was almost like he knew what was going to happen all along.
Yet it was the news on Sunday morning, that Ricky Hatton was dead, which produced the weekend’s biggest shockwaves. We w
CANELO vs. CRAWFORD
The superfight of the year, Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, is almost upon us and, crikey, we leave no stone unturned while breaking down this bad boy.
There’s the styles of the fighters, the physical equipment, the ages and recent form to consider. We also go in-depth on the stats to reveal some surprising facts which you won’t be able to resist sharing in the boozer to impress all your ma
PARKER ROLLS THE DICE
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With Joseph Parker in talks for an October showdown with Fabio Wardley, we wonder if he could be about to fall at the last hurdle in his long quest for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk.
We pay tribute to the memory of Joe Bugner, the great British heavyweight who fought some of the best heavyweights in history.
There’s the Canelo-Crawf
THE PROSPECT: A JOURNEY THROUGH BOXING WITH REESE LYNCH (BONUS)
We catch up again with 1-0 prospect Reese Lynch, four weeks on from his impressive debut win as a professional boxer. Throughout this series of podcasts we’ll check in regularly with the Commonwealth Gold medalist as he makes his way through this most difficult Sport. Make sure you subscribe and follow The Opening Bell to get regular updates on Reese’s career as we explore the world of boxing thro
EXHIBITIONISTS
What does the proposed Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis ‘exhibition’ say about boxing in 2025?
There isn’t another sport, at least not a major one, that could stage such a daft sideshow and it would steal the attention from the real competition to this extent.
Paul himself admits he’s redesigning the boxing and it’s difficult to disagree; his fights will continue to generate significantly higher audien
WHYTE OUT
Moses Itauma surely ended the career of war-torn Dillian Whyte with a savage first round KO.
Itauma was faultless, from his movement to the shot selection and exquisite execution. The potential is seemingly limitless but, before we get too carried away and anoint Itauma as the greatest heavyweight in history, let’s apply some context.
And when we do that, the truth remains that Itauma is yet to
MOSES AND THE RED CARPET
Moses Itauma has been given the red carpet treatment by his promoters, the media and fans alike so far on his boxing journey, despite having not yet encountered a legitimately ranked opponent. There are some who say it’s a magic carpet he rides, befitting the skills and talents of the next heavyweight star. Is Dillian Whyte a marked step up in class this weekend or is it perfect Frank Warren match
WILL JOSHUA REALLY FIGHT JAKE PAUL?
Reports persist that Anthony Joshua will end his hiatus by feasting on Jake Paul. This is a ridiculous idea, surely?
Though probably not as silly as the party that was staged for Daniel Dubois mere hours before he stepped in the ring to take on the formidable Oleksandr Usyk.
Nor is it as troubling as plans to match Ike Ibeabuchi and Danny Williams, both 52, in what is sure to be a grisly specta
MIGHTY JOE GALLAGHER
Days after undergoing a huge operation, Joe Gallagher was eager to get back to the gym where he’s crafted a reputation for being one of the best trainers in the world. He didn’t quite manage that, but he did make it to The Opening Bell.
In a truly inspirational interview, Gallagher explains his battle with cancer while revealing his astonishing fighting spirit.
He also discusses the cruelty of s
THE GIFTED ONES
This week’s Opening Bell celebrates two of the very best operating in boxing today in Oleksander Usyk and Bam Rodriguez.
Returning to The Opening Bell is Commentator, former world champion and all round funny man Barry Jones who was ringside at Wembley watching Usyk and is Bam’s No1 fan. Barry gives us a fighter’s insight into the technical wizardry of this talented pair with thoughts on what t
USYK-DUBOIS II
It’s less than two years since Oleksandr Usyk convincingly defeated Daniel Dubois - so why is everyone so excited about the rematch?
We examine exactly why, the low blow from fight one and Dubois’ subsequent upturn in form, and make our picks for the Wembley Stadium showdown.
Katie Taylor at last proved her superiority over Amanda Serrano, Shakur Stevenson turned up the excitement against Willia
TAYLOR-SERRANO III AND THE LURE OF VIOLENCE
As veterans Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano prepare to reignite their violent rivalry, Ricky Hatton announced he was coming back at the age of 46 and Tyson Fury teased his own inevitable return.
We explore what makes fighters so eager to sacrifice themselves to boxing and why the sport is so difficult to walk away from.
We look back on the chaotic ending to the disappointing contest between Jack
I ❤️ BOXING WITH ELLIE SCOTNEY
In a very special episode of The Opening Bell’s I Love Boxing, we talk to Ellie Scotney about her journey into the sport, the struggles she’s faced throughout her career, and the game-changing promotional deal with Jake Paul.
Scotney is in typically captivating form throughout as he expresses her opinion on drug cheats, two-minute rounds, and shares her fondness for some vintage Orlando Canizales
