https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcast/home 2025 has been some year in boxing. A strange, noisy, unforgettable year that demanded our attention whether we wanted to give it or not. There were great nights in packed stadiums where fighters shone and reminded us why we keep coming back. Skill, courage, timing, the simple beauty of it all when everything clicks. And then there were the moments that only boxing could serve up. Former unified heavyweight champions of the world flattening YouTubers, and just about everything in between. It’s been another year of mouth open, stand back in awe moments. Properly transfixed stuff. It’s also been a year full of head shaking, eyebrow raising episodes that make you wonder how long you can keep following this sport with a straight face. And yet, here we are. Because boxing does that. It pulls you close, pushes you away, and then drags you back in just when you think you’ve had enough. Join Alex Steedman as he looks back at a boxing year that won’t be forgotten, for all the right reasons, and a few of the wrong ones too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boxing fans got what they wanted when Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul, breaking his jaw in two places. Or did they? That Paul lasted into the sixth round has only given the supposed imposter an even bigger platform to shout from. That he suffered a broken jaw is now his most treasured badge of honour. What did it all really say about both, though? Was Paul better than we expected? Was Joshua worse than we feared? And where does this leave boxing as 2026 approaches? Elsewhere, Troy Williamson continues his incredible comeback when he knocked out Callum Simpson in 10 rounds, Craig Richards turned back a spirited Dan Azeez, and Lawrence Okolie won again at heavyweight. Meanwhile, in America, Terence Crawford retired to leave fans debating his place in history. Merry Christmas you lovely lot. Thank you, so much, for your ongoing support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JOSHUA vs. PAUL - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? | DIEGO PACHECO | TERENCE CRAWFORD | MICHAEL CARBAJAL Anthony Joshua is really going to fight Jake Paul, it seems. But what can we expect? A real fight? A gruesome mismatch? Or, dare we even think it, an upset of the ages? Before we get stuck into the most obscure of main courses we chew on the other talking points. Like… Terence Crawford vs. WBC; Jimmy’s Corner in crisis; The performances of Diego Pacheco and Joe Cordina; and, briefly, Fury vs. Joshua. And for our weekly dose of nostalgia we direct the DeLorean to 1992 and take in some vintage Michael Carbajal action. Stay lovely, eat healthy, keep fit, be nice, keep listening. Thanks to all of you. And if you’ve read this far, let us know via our socials or on the Patreon. Bonjour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we welcome Sky Sports lead commentator Andy Clarke to the pod for a peer in and around the current state of boxing across the world. Currently in Dubai for the IBA championships, Andy’s experiences in both amateur and professional boxing means he’s well placed to discuss the challenges facing the Sport today. Tune in and enjoy and once again thanks to those supporting the pod for less than a fiver a month via Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WEIGHT OF THE MATTER | BEN WHITTAKER | KATIE TAYLOR | WBC CONVENTION Out at the WBC Convention in Bangkok, the current system of weighing in the day before the fight has been examined in-depth. Is it time for authorities to now switch weigh-ins back to the same day? Also in Bangkok, the ratings meetings got underway, Katie Taylor confirmed plans to do battle with Ronda Rousey and, at the gala dinner, Oleksandr Usyk appeared to have the time of his life. Back in the UK, the career of Frazer Clarke hangs in the balance following another bruising defeat while Ben Whittaker - after a one-round victory - might be set for lift-off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Devin Haney dominated Brian Norman Jr last weekend, won a world belt in a third weight class, only to be met by criticism from Conor Benn. Does Benn warrant a shot at Haney and, should he get one, can he win? We also look ahead to a busy weekend in Britain when Ben Whittaker makes his Matchroom debut in a contest surely designed for him to make a statement and remind fans what all the fuss is about. Meanwhile, Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV lock horns on the BBC with the vacant British heavyweight title up for grabs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez might not have been top of the bill in Saudi Arabia but, wow, his talent again suggested there are few - if any - below him when it comes to all-round brilliance. The headliner was David Benavidez proving his light-heavyweight prowess against Anthony Yarde. What does that emphatic stoppage mean for the man on the wrong end of it and is Benavidez wise to move up in weight again? Fight of the night came early on when Abdullah Mason resisted a tremendous effort from Sam Noakes to take the decision. That contest surely spells bright futures for both. And in our weekly trip to yesteryear, we cruise back to 1996 and a glorious slugfest between Michael Ayres and Colin Dunne for the British lightweight title. Thanks for your support. Show a bit more by leaving a review or why not join the Opening Bell club by taking out a subscription? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Star Spotting in Saudi The stars, present and future, are out in Riyadh as we preview a night of top world championship boxing. The big questions are; Can Anthony Yarde make it third time lucky against the hipsters bogey man David Benevidez? Is Devon Haney as good as he thinks is and does Brian Norman Jnr have the answers? Is Abdullah Mason boxing’s next big thing or will Sam Noakes rise to the occasion? And is there a better fighter to watch on this or any bill than Bam Rodriguez? All this and more as Alex and Matt gear up for the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two days after Conor Benn humbled Chris Eubank Jnr, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would fight, gulp, Jake Paul on December 20. Now there’s a sentence that would have astonished pretty much everyone only one year ago. But it doesn’t end there. Joseph Parker failed a test for cocaine; Oleksandr Usyk has lost a belt; and, wait for it, Fabio Wardley is a world heavyweight champion. In an effort to stabilise our senses we go back in time to when Roy Jones Jnr was at his peak and James Toney, the fearsome super-middleweight king, was expected to beat him. Talk about a bumpy ride! If you’ve read this far, we’re astonished, but do us one more favour: Post a review on Apple. If we get enough of those in one week we might even return to the podcast charts. But perhaps that’s asking too much in this already wibbly-wobbly week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EUBANK JR vs BENN II | ITAUMA NEXT FIGHT | VERGIL ORTIZ | KASH FAROOQ Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are preparing to fight again so strap yourselves because we’ve got plenty to talk about. Who will have learned more from the first fight and be able to exhibit the most improvement? Will the BoMac factor make a difference? Where are the fighters heads at? And will Senior be there at all? Meanwhile, Moses Itauma gets a perfect test in the shape of Jermain Franklin as DAZN reveal yet another price plan certain to send hardcore fans round the twist. In This Week, we head back to 2019 and glorious 12-round tussle between Lee McGregor and Kash Farooq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EUBANK JR & THE AMBULANCE | BUATSI-PARKER DECISION | FALL OF TANK | PEAK GGG Chris Eubank Jr is doubling down on claims that his ambulance was blocked after his gruelling win over Conor Benn. What are the implications of the new footage? Last weekend, Joshua Buatsi was called the winner over Zach Parker after a forgettable 10-rounder that reignited debate over the quality of judging in the UK. We wonder if the verdict was indeed that bad. In America, the collapse of Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis was something of a relief but the accusations aimed at Davis paint a deeply concerning picture. We look ahead to Vergil Ortiz taking on Erickson Lubin and back to 2013 when, in This Week, Gennadiy Golovkin systematically broke down Curtis Stevens. If you like what you hear, and want to support us, please transcribe to The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Examining the bombastic rise of Fabio Wardley which has now astonishingly left Joseph Parker scrambling for breath in the rubble below. But should Parker be punished too severely for rolling the dice again? And we also wonder whether Oleksandr Usyk will really entertain a contest with Wardley at this stage of his career. It looks like we’re heading for Derek Chisora-Dillian Whyte III, yet another contest set to get the PPV debate boiling over. And in keeping with the heavyweight theme, we cruise back to 1990 and the night when Evander Holyfield popped the Buster Douglas bubble. Getting sick of those adverts? Loving the podcast? Subscribe to The Opening Bell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley each risk their position in the heavyweight sweepstakes while knowing only the winner of their collision will be invited to challenge Oleksandr Usyk. Parker will rightly be the favourite but is the New Zealander’s ‘renaissance’ being overstated when one examines his recent opponents more carefully? Throw in Wardley’s astonishing will to win, alongside the potency he possesses when his punches land clean, and suddenly, the outcome widely expected might be turned on its head. Elsewhere, the TKO invasion is gathering pace while drawing irk from Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya; George Liddard proves he’s going places; Danny Garcia might not be going anywhere; and, in This Week, we head back in time for some vintage Matthew Saad Muhammad mayhem. Please subscribe if you can for ad-free listening and to support independent journalism. With lots of love from all at The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IN-DEPTH WITH DAVID PRICE | AUDLEY HARRISON | JARON ENNIS In a searingly honest interview, Olympic medalist and former British heavyweight champion David Price reflects on his eventful career, detailing the highs of the early days and how he reset to cope with what followed. He’s taken back to 2012 and his bombastic knockout of Audley Harrison, a night when Price looked on the brink of conquering the world. Price describes exactly how he felt back then - so youthful and invincible with Tyson Fury in his sights - and how different he would feel when his ascent was thwarted by two sobering losses to Tony Thompson. Further defeats came as Price battled with the suffocating pressure of his profession before eventually crafting an exit route that allowed him to build a new life away from boxing. Fascinating, revealing, uplifting and funny, this interview with Price is one we’d strongly advise you take the time to kick back and enjoy. Thanks as always, dear friends, for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MEMORABILIA FAIR THIS SATURDAY (11th October 2025) AT DICK COLLINS HALL, ROBERT STREET, LONDON, FROM 1:30PM TO 5:30PM. Has Dave Allen bitten off more than he can chew with Arslanbek Makhmudov or is the threat that awaits the British heavyweight somewhat overrated? Ben Whittaker has made the switch from Boxxer to Matchroom but can Eddie Hearn work his old magic with his current box of tricks? What does the future hold for Nathaniel Collins after narrowly failing to win the European title? And in This Week, we felt it appropriate to take in some vintage Ricky Hatton as he tears through Michael Stewart in 2005. Support the Opening Bell, get bonus content and ditch those beyond annoying ads, by subscribing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a special episode, Matt is joined by Tris Dixon as they take a deep dive into the state of boxing in 2025. Is the sport in rude health, as those currently earning handsomely from the involvement of Turki Alalshikh always suggest, or is the sport struggling in the midst of a new era? Up for discussion is the length and frequency of boxing shows, the positives and negatives of the Saudi invasion, boxing’s exposure in the outside world, and the television landscape. We’d welcome your feedback on the issues that are discussed and, as always, thank you for listening to the Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The countdown to Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn II officially began last week as the press conference, such as it was, almost immediately boiled over into chaos. Eubank’s astonishing claims painted some dreadful pictures that British boxing could have done without. And it leaves some seasoned observers preparing to watch happens next through their fingers. In far more warming fare, Alex and Matt were at the British Boxing Hall of Fame; a ceremony that reminded them what makes this sport so special. In This Week, we go all the way back to 1953 and a time when Rocky Marciano was as the world heavyweight champion and his old rival Roland LaStarza was his leading contender. Your support, in which ever way you can manage it, is hugely appreciated. Subscribe if you can, follow us if you can’t, and spread the word. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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, and the troubled mind behind the scenes. Our thoughts remain with his family, his myriad friends and his supporters, all whom will always know there really is only one Ricky Hatton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 will bring you a separate podcast later this week dedicated to the one and only Hatton, a ferocious fighter and magical man, who will be forever adored. In This Week, we go back to 1985 to produce another exhibit for the size-doesn’t-matter files. This time it was Michael Spinks rising two weight classes to challenge heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, who was 48-0 heading in and a big favourite. Thanks to everyone who continue to support The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 mates. There’s more to consider, too, like the future echoes of TKO’s desire for a complete takeover of the sport, The Ring blocking reputable media from attending, the sanctioning bodies losing their way, and the gargantuan broadcast platform for the event, Netflix. Fear not, Matt and Alex make their predictions - with one forecast suggesting that drugs were taken during the consideration process. To close things out we go back to the 1990s for This Week In History when Mike Tyson scared Bruce Seldon to such a degree his legs stopped working. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you do, please spread the word, tell your buddies, put it on nice and loud in the office so everyone can enjoy it, and hit subscribe to really help us out. Until next time, amigos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices