The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

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 to wonder about Tyson Fury and his comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov. Fury is unquestionably motivated again but it seems unlikely he’ll truly be able to roll back the years. Get your lollipops out for This Week as we go back to 2005 for some vintage mischief from Jorge Arce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 layoffs, making ends meet, drug cheats and loyalty. It’s an interview not to be missed. Much like The Opening Bell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 as plotting an ideal route to the top for Moses, we briefly examine Dave Allen being chucked in with Filip Hrgovic and reflect on Sebastian Fundora’s pummelling of veteran Keith Thurman. In This Week, it’s back to 1981, where Marvin Hagler oozes style at ringside as Sugar Ray Leonard shows his spiteful side while overpowering Larry Bonds. The Opening Bell podcast is here, come and get it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 arrival amongst the pound-for-pound elite. In the UK, Josh Kelly surprised plenty when he boxed the perfect fight to win a world title in Newcastle and, bracing for his return, Tyson Fury prepares to become the new face of Netflix. Our trip back in time lands in 1974, in a talent-rich Paris no less, for a battle between Carlos Monzon and Jose Napoles. Read the Thomas Hauser piece on Zuffa Boxing here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/28/zuffa-boxing-contract-dana-white-reform?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices