The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

With breath just about regained Alex Steedman and Matt Christie reflect on a whizzbang weekend that included a majestic victory for Naoya Inoue, a stunning demolition from David Benavidez, and a hellfire slugfest between Conah Walker and Sam Eggington. There’s also the not-so-small matter of Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois to discuss.

That WBO heavyweight title fight is laced with intrigue and is all but guaranteed to deliver another rock ‘em, sock ‘em affair in the land of the giants. But who wins?

Benavidez, though, is the current man of the moment after he took Gilberto Ramirez apart with astonishing savagery to leave fans – and now Team Benavidez – considering the prospect of a move to heavyweight and a challenge to Oleksandr Usyk.

In Japan, there was mastery of a different kind on display as Inoue boxed beautifully to outpoint closest rival Junto Nakatani over 12 rounds. It was a contest of high quality but triggered the question: Did Nakatani give it absolutely everything?

On the same day, Sam Eggington was yet again left bleeding and bruised after a two-way brawl with the irrepressible Conah Walker. We wonder if that might spell the end for Eggington and what comes next for Walker.

In This Week we go back to 1989 when Herol Graham encountered Mike McCallum in a battle for the vacant WBA middleweight title and BBC staff, including Harry Carpenter, were on strike so no commentary was provided.

What a time to be alive, folks.
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In a real treat of a bonus podcast, we get to know a
stalwart of the US boxing circuit, the one and only Jack Hirsch.

Jack fell in love with boxing as a youngster but after a
spell as an amateur and getting beaten up by world middleweight champions in
sparring, he realised his calling was on the other side of the ropes.

Witness to some of the most important fights in history,
Jack talks us through watching Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran in New York, his
move into journalism and getting to know the legends of the sport. One of
those, the great light-heavyweight and heavyweight Michael ‘The Jinx’ Spinks is
the subject of Jack’s first book. The process of writing that is a fascinating
listen, as is his opinions on boxing journalism today. Enjoy!

 

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It’s on! Anthony Joshua will at last fight Tyson Fury. But
hang on, will he really? The contracts have been signed but Joshua must get through
a July 25th fight before that. He also needs to see how he feels
being back in the ring after the tragic events of four months ago. And will Fury
have an interim fight himself? With this pair, we just don’t know.

Also set to fight on July 25th is Moses Itauma
but he has no opponent in place yet. We examine the reasons why this next step
is such a crucial one for Itauma’s development.

The upcoming weekend is shaping up to be a cracker with
Inoue – Nakatani, Ramirez – Benevidez and Walker – Eggington to enjoy.

And finally in This Week, we cruise back to 1980 for some
Wilfredo Gomez action which commentator Howard Cossell describes as a “national
embarrassment.’

Keep it real folks, stick with The Opening Bell.

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Time for The Opening Bell podcast to check in with unbeaten boxer
Reese Lynch for a glimpse behind the scenes in the life of a boxing prospect.

We talk sparring sensibly, dealing with cuts, going on after
the main event, money, haircuts, fight outfits and much, much more.

The Prospect series hopes to lift the bonnet on the boxing
business so follow, subscribe and stay tuned.

 

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Ben Whittaker unleashed his latest dazzling display at the
weekend with another early blowout. But is the newfound fire enough to take him
to the top? And if it is, which opponents does he need to get there?

The fall of Daniel Kinahan, who last week was arrested in
Dubai, will leave many wondering if those who were happy to do business with
him a few years ago remain so today.

There is breaking news of Lawrence Okolie failing a test. As
the show records, we find out that Okolie is on the front foot when it comes to
clearing his name.

And in This Week, we fire up the burners back to 1992 for
some Frank Bruno mania and vintage Des Lynam.

Please follow and subscribe to The Opening Bell; your only
choice for independent reporting.

 

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