Episodes

  • JOYCE, CHISORA & THE LONG GOODBYE

    JOYCE, CHISORA & THE LONG GOODBYE
    Jul 14 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • TYSON FURY vs WHO?!

    TYSON FURY vs WHO?!
    Jul 7 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • USYK RELINQUISHES, WHAT NOW?

    USYK RELINQUISHES, WHAT NOW?
    Jun 30 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • TURKI TELLS ‘EM

    TURKI TELLS ‘EM
    Jun 23 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • BAM V INOUE IS BETTER THAN AJ – FURY

    BAM V INOUE IS BETTER THAN AJ – FURY
    Jun 15 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • ZUFFA vs MATCHROOM

    ZUFFA vs MATCHROOM
    Jun 9 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • THE JOSHUA RELAUNCH

    THE JOSHUA RELAUNCH
    Jun 2 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • IS THE END NIGH FOR USYK?

    IS THE END NIGH FOR USYK?
    May 27 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 5 mins