Episodes

  • EDUCATING MOSES ITAUMA

    EDUCATING MOSES ITAUMA
    Mar 24 2026
    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 Inferno’ prove a leap too far? Closer to home, Michael Conlan announced his retirement, George Liddard came through a difficult assignment, the death of Ricky Hatton is explored and in Australia, Jai Opetaia again wakes up as an ex-champion without having lost a fight. In This Week, we point the time machine to 2000 and Diego Corrales duelling with Derrick Gainer as he readies for Floyd Mayweather. What’s that beautiful noise you hear? It’s The Opening Bell, folks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • WHO PROMOTES TYSON FURY?

    WHO PROMOTES TYSON FURY?
    Mar 17 2026
    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. Meanwhile, in 1995, Herbie Hide is made to look like he's on a bouncy castle during a chaotic battle with Riddick Bowe for This Week. Keep sounding The Opening Bell folks, and go well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • NEW ERA? – ZUFFA V IBF – ORTIZ V OSCAR – BRITISH BOXING AWARDS

    NEW ERA? – ZUFFA V IBF – ORTIZ V OSCAR – BRITISH BOXING AWARDS
    Mar 9 2026
    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. Alex and Matt were this week at the BBBoC annual awards and again, it proved to be a wonderful afternoon with love and appreciation aplenty in the room. And finally, we look ahead to this weekend’s showdown between Anthony Cacace and Jazza Dickens. Thanks, as always, for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • BOXING AT WAR: Usyk v Kick-Boxer, Benn v Prograis, Skinny Pacquiao.

    BOXING AT WAR: Usyk v Kick-Boxer, Benn v Prograis, Skinny Pacquiao.
    Mar 3 2026
    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 unusual and effective Emanuel Navarrete while looking ahead to Jai Opetaia launching the Zuffa belt plus in This Week we remember the raw 2000 version of Manny Pacquiao. If you like the work of Matt and Alex please show your support by for the pod by subscribing via Patreon or Apple +. Cheers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • BENN LEAVES EDDIE - MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO II - GARCIA BEATS BARRIOS - WOOD WALLOPS WARRINGTON

    BENN LEAVES EDDIE - MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO II - GARCIA BEATS BARRIOS - WOOD WALLOPS WARRINGTON
    Feb 24 2026
    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 for September. A welcome sequel or another daft pantomime? Leigh Wood got the better of a faded Josh Warrington but the star of the weekend was Ryan Garcia who claimed a welterweight belt against Mario Barrios. In This Week, we take a gentle stroll back to 1996 and Oliver McCall making short work of Oleg Maskaev. Thanks for the support and keep listening, folks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • RECONSTRUCTION (BONUS)

    RECONSTRUCTION (BONUS)
    Feb 22 2026
    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 early release as part of the Patreon and Apple + subscription for which we are truly grateful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • 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
    Feb 18 2026
    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, Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois have agreed to collide in a sumptuous matchup with huge consequences. This weekend, there’s Leigh Wood-Josh Warrington to look forward to in the UK and Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia in the US. Best of all, however, is the chance to go back to 1987 and witness a young ‘Smokin’ Bert Cooper in blistering form. Willie de Witt never stood a chance…. Thanks for the sport, comrades. Keep listening and spread the word. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • HEARTBREAKER | FIGUEROA STOPS BALL | WBC UNDER FIRE | MAYWEATHER LAWSUIT

    HEARTBREAKER | FIGUEROA STOPS BALL | WBC UNDER FIRE | MAYWEATHER LAWSUIT
    Feb 11 2026
    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 of Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller before zipping back to 2003 to relive Rafael Marquez’s dramatic victory over Tim Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 23 mins