The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

Matt Christie and Alex Steedman

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.

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21 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes21

Newest first

Tuesday · 1 hr 27 min
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 their minds completely. But before we put the blame solely at the feet of Netflix and Turki Alalshikh, one crucial thing should be remembered: Nobody is forcing Joshua or Fury to fight outside of the UK. And hey, there are worse places than New York to host heavyweight boxing. In Dublin there was a contest worthy of any stage in the world as Mark Chamberlain surprised most when he defeated Pierce O’Leary in the kind of topsy-turvy thriller that should buoy us all as to why we’re here. Yet, on the undercard, the fate of Lee Reeves reminds us of the violent nature of the Sport. Over in Las Vegas, meanwhile, William Zepeda proved too good for Lamont Roach. We preview the weekend’s action with the sequel between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson leading the way and Zuffa’s trip to Dublin will give Aaron McKenna and Callum Walsh a chance to shine. Last, but never least, is your weekly dose of nostalgia and a time when Oscar De La Hoya – as he tears through Jorge Paez – was a fresh-faced up-and-comer yet to be scarred by this wackiest of businesses. Thanks to one and all for the support, we appreciate you. Subscribe, however, and we’ll appreciate you even more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 28 · 1 hr 8 min
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 clear. But he looks so susceptible these days it’s difficult to imagine him surviving any kind of onslaught from Fury. Whether Fury is these days capable of producing that onslaught, while also avoiding Joshua’s right hand, when he couldn’t avoid that of 46-year-old Marius Wach, likely makes the bout as well-matched as it’s ever been. Don’t expect either to walk away until this long and winding saga has reached a close, though. Unlike Errol Spence Jnr, who realised against Tim Tszyu that his days as a prize-fighter are over and announced his retirement in the aftermath. We look ahead to Pierce O’Leary-Mark Chamberlain in Ireland and Lamont Roach-William Zepeda in the US, before kicking back in the DeLorean, setting the flux capacitor to July 1999, and enjoying the last hurrah of Michael Carbajal against Jorge Arce. Spread the good word of The Opening Bell, folks. And thanks, as always, for the support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 21 · 58 min
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 in Australia in a bout set at 160lbs. Will Spence show he still has what it takes at 36 or will he become the latest athlete to realise that time is the cruellest opponent of them all? Elsewhere, Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn reminded everyone how much noise they can make and how hard they can appear. Thanks for listening and for your support, amigos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 14 · 1 hr 7 min
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 the latest comings and goings at Zuffa and Matchroom as Johnny Fisher makes the switch. Shakur Stevenson has joined up with Dana White’s men, too plus in This Week, we go back to 1999 when Baby Jake Matlala shocks Michael Carbajal. You can support The Opening Bell by following us on all the usual social media platforms while Ad free content is available for less than a fiver a month via Apple + and Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 7 · 1 hr 13 min
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 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
June 30 · 1 hr 11 min
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 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
June 23 · 1 hr 15 min
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 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
June 15 · 1 hr 5 min
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 eliminator and Lewis Crocker’s trip down under. Make sure you follow and subscribe to The Opening Bell on socials and check out supporting us on Patreon or Apple + with our thanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 9 · 1 hr 13 min
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 to know more about Joshua-Fury than the Matchroom boss. Hearn, in response, took aim at the UFC model that made White’s name. Before that, Hearn secured a fitting venue, Croke Park, for the great Katie Taylor but is Flora Pili a fitting rival? We look ahead to ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in the hope victory leads to a mouthwatering showdown with Naoya Inoue. And, in This Week, dust off your disco balls and join us in 1985 where Pinklon Thomas and Mike Weaver unleash a forgotten thriller at heavyweight. Hit subscribe, show your support, and spread the good word of The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 2 · 1 hr 16 min
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. Meanwhile, Chris Billam-Smith tackles hard man Ryan Rozicki this weekend in a scrap that is unlikely to leave either man fresh faced. And, in This Week, we hurtle back to 1991 and a collision between Terry Norris and Don Curry that saw one man’s career take flight and the other’s all but end. Thanks, one and all, for supporting The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 27 · 1 hr 5 min
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 subject of boxing journalism, or what’s left of it, opens the discussion before all hell breaks loose as Matt and Chris relive a fight that almost changed everything they thought they knew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 21 · 20 min
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 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
May 19 · 1 hr 10 min
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 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
May 12 · 23 min
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, friends, go well out there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 12 · 1 hr 6 min
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 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
May 5 · 1 hr 16 min
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 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
May 1 · 1 hr 5 min
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 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
April 28 · 58 min
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 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
April 25 · 35 min
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 21 · 1 hr 20 min
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 news of Lawrence Okolie failing a test. As the show records, we find out that Okolie is on the front foot when it comes to clearing his name. And in This Week, we fire up the burners back to 1992 for some Frank Bruno mania and vintage Des Lynam. Please follow and subscribe to The Opening Bell; your only choice for independent reporting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices