The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

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 humour,...

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 wil...

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 mate...

AD Free listening: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcast 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-Crawford...

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...

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 audiences...

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 de...

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...

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 spectacle...

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 soc...

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 thei...

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 William...

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 C...

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...

Jake Paul has gatecrashed the world rankings on the strength of victories over two men with a combined age of 97. What’s all that about? September 20 has been confirmed as the date for the rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn. We just about got out of the first one unscathed - but might there be trouble ahead? Chris’ cousin, Harlem Eubank, leaps up in class this weekend when he takes on...

Deontay Wilder, at the age of 39, is promising to prove that all he needed to regain momentum was not a time machine, but time off. Father Time will be watching carefully. Last weekend, there was a shock defeat for Galal Yafai at the hands of Francisco Rodriguez who exhibited astonishing energy for each of the 12 rounds. And on the same week that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr takes on Jake Paul, we journe...

Boiling bodies down to make unnatural weight limits has been standard practice in boxing for decades. Considering a fight follows that gruelling struggle, is it time to rethink old habits? The potential of both Richardson Hitchins and Andy Cruz is discussed in detail before we preview the latest showcase for Galal Yafai. And in This Week, we pinpoint the fight that triggered the spellbinding peak...

Boxing lost one of its finest when James Cook, a truly beautiful human being, was taken from us far too soon. We pay tribute. Fabio Wardley came through what threatened to be a sobering homecoming at Portman Road to demolish Justis Huni with a single shot. What did that fight say about those two heavyweights? The retirements of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Delicious Orie are up for discussion as we exam...

Fabio Wardley has crafted an incredible career from his white-collar background. Is Saturday’s showdown with Justis Huni the last stop before a world title shot or will question marks about his pedigree remain? Over in Barnsley, in another football stadium show, Callum Simpson takes on Ivan Zucco, an Italian southpaw, for the European super middleweight title. Like Wardley, Simpson stands on the e...

Heavyweight Moses Itauma scored another knockout last weekend to further heighten the already lofty expectations about his future. But how do you ensure the 20-year-old fulfils that stratospheric potential? Also in Glasgow was Josh Taylor being upset by Ekow Essuman in a fiery 12-rounder that has implications for both on the world scene. This Week In History is proud to present one of the most cha...

The career of Josh Taylor is at the crossroads where Ekow Essuman awaits. Will The Tornado be reborn at welterweight or is this the fight that proves his days at the top are over? Johnny Fisher saw his unbeaten record ruined by Dave Allen last weekend which stirred opinion on matchmaking and the futures of both heavyweights. Tyson Fury again teased a comeback and, frankly, we’re now not even attem...

At the age of 46 and without a win in six years, Manny Pacquiao is set to walk into a world welterweight title fight. We ask how and why this is being allowed to occur. In Nottingham last weekend, Anthony Cacace produced his latest impressive beatdown when he halted the plucky but outgunned Leigh Wood. We look ahead to the heavyweight rematch between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen and go all the way...

Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcast Interested in sponsoring the show? theopeningbellpodcast@gmail.com The New York experiment didn’t exactly work with three forgettable bouts hidden away in a small corner of Times Square and Canelo was forced to play another game of cat and mouse in which barely a punch landed. Will a contest with Terence Crawford be any different...

➡️ https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcast ⬅️ As Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois confirm their summer sequel, a rerun of the Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn affair seems almost certain. But does every big fight need a rematch? There are further thoughts on Eubank Jr’s battle with Benn - and the scales - with an update from the BBBoC on those images of Eubank trying to make weight. We look ahea...

In the end, we got a terrific contest, one loaded with excitement and bravery. But after a fight like that, can it really be the end? Perhaps it should be for Eubank, who acted his age in more ways than one while containing the youthful abandon of Benn. It threatened to mimic WWE at the start, as the fathers played their role in the circus, but it was a fight we’ll never forget and one that left t...