The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

Every Thursday Matt Christie and Alex Steedman look at the latest boxing news headlines, review and preview the big fights and speak to the many fascinating characters who make boxing what it is. Want to get in touch? TheOpeningBellPodcast@Gmail.com Follow on X Matt = @MattCBoxingNews Alex: @alexsteedman Please follow, subscribe and leave us a review. Get bonus content on Patreon

The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Matt Christie and Alex Steedman, with 150 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Matt Christie and Alex Steedman hosts The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast, a sports show with 150 episodes published.

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  The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

  BACK TO THE FUTURE

  Aug 18, 20261h 13m

  What do we want? AJ vs. Fury! Where do want it? At this point, who cares… Dana White this week came out and revealed he’s brokered the TV and site deals for Joshua vs. Fury but the old problem remains: Both fighters signed contracts with different locations, dates, and terms. Whether it happens or not, we are getting to the point of no return for this heavyweight showdown that, frankly, should already be in the past. It’s an interesting discussion, though. What does the future for boxing really look like? Can Moses Itauma, for example, ever become a crossover star if he’s forced to fight behind hard-to-find paywalls from this point forth? Furthermore, what becomes of the sport at grassroots level if only those that are already in full bloom are getting any water? Claressa Shields reminded of her star power at the weekend even if her opponent, Kaye Scott, was overmatched and outclassed from the start. We look ahead to Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez which undoubtedly is a good fight. But on what planet is it a PPV fight? Finally, we go back to 2016 and the contest that arguably signalled the start of Errol Spence Jnr’s peak: The beatdown of the gnarled Leonard Bundu in Coney Island, New York. Keep ringing that Opening Bell, folks. We thank you for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

  BROOK BACK: EUBANK NEXT?

  Aug 11, 20261h 10m

  Kell Brook this week announced he will be coming back in a ‘massive fight’ later in the year at the age of 40, highlighting once again how difficult peace of mind is to find in the boxing afterlife. Chris Eubank Jnr, who could soon be another case in point, has been rumoured as the opponent and proves, once again, there is little that can be done when ageing boxers, fit and well on the surface, want to keep fighting. Also bracing himself for a return is Joseph Parker who has served a three-month ban after UKAD examined the heavyweight’s reasoning for having traces of cocaine in his system and deemed them feasible enough. Callum Simpson gained revenge over Troy Williamson at the weekend, getting by with a little help from new coach Robert McCracken, but also exhibiting that there’s plenty for them to work on. A new ‘world champion’ was crowned in Dublin on Saturday night as Aaron McKenna picked up the IBF-flavoured slice of the middleweight pie but how far away is the Irishman from becoming the world’s best at 160lbs? Probably not as far away as countryman Callum Walsh who, on the Zuffa undercard, passed the Tyler Denny test. In This Week, get ready to lamp up a fat one and get lost in the hazy days of Smokin’ Bert Cooper. In August 1991, with would-be opponent Bruce Seldon outside the ring and Michael Buffer in glorious voice inside of it, the swarming slugger took on Anthony Wade in an event glowing with 90’s nostalgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

  START SPREADING THE NEWS

  Aug 4, 20261h 27m

  On the week when it looks all but certain that the all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will land in New York, a fight with serious consequences for the current title picture in the division – Moses Itauma and Frank Sanchez on August 29 – was upgraded to an IBF title fight. The Fury-Joshua news will no doubt make those already in a spin about the location lose their minds completely. But before we put the blame solely at the feet of Netflix and Turki Alalshikh, one crucial thing should be remembered: Nobody is forcing Joshua or Fury to fight outside of the UK. And hey, there are worse places than New York to host heavyweight boxing. In Dublin there was a contest worthy of any stage in the world as Mark Chamberlain surprised most when he defeated Pierce O’Leary in the kind of topsy-turvy thriller that should buoy us all as to why we’re here. Yet, on the undercard, the fate of Lee Reeves reminds us of the violent nature of the Sport. Over in Las Vegas, meanwhile, William Zepeda proved too good for Lamont Roach. We preview the weekend’s action with the sequel between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson leading the way and Zuffa’s trip to Dublin will give Aaron McKenna and Callum Walsh a chance to shine. Last, but never least, is your weekly dose of nostalgia and a time when Oscar De La Hoya – as he tears through Jorge Paez – was a fresh-faced up-and-comer yet to be scarred by this wackiest of businesses. Thanks to one and all for the support, we appreciate you. Subscribe, however, and we’ll appreciate you even more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

  JOSHUA v FURY: OVERCOOKED

  Jul 28, 20261h 8m

  After the performances of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury last weekend, there can now be no doubt that the two British heavyweights are both past their best. Furthermore, it is more obvious than ever before that the fight we wanted all those years ago – when they were 1 and 2 in the heavyweight division – is gone forever. So, what are we left with? Joshua remains a frightful puncher, that much is clear. But he looks so susceptible these days it’s difficult to imagine him surviving any kind of onslaught from Fury. Whether Fury is these days capable of producing that onslaught, while also avoiding Joshua’s right hand, when he couldn’t avoid that of 46-year-old Marius Wach, likely makes the bout as well-matched as it’s ever been. Don’t expect either to walk away until this long and winding saga has reached a close, though. Unlike Errol Spence Jnr, who realised against Tim Tszyu that his days as a prize-fighter are over and announced his retirement in the aftermath. We look ahead to Pierce O’Leary-Mark Chamberlain in Ireland and Lamont Roach-William Zepeda in the US, before kicking back in the DeLorean, setting the flux capacitor to July 1999, and enjoying the last hurrah of Michael Carbajal against Jorge Arce. Spread the good word of The Opening Bell, folks. And thanks, as always, for the support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

  JOSHUA, FURY AND SPENCE TEST FATHER TIME

  Jul 21, 202658 min

  Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Errol Spence will all this weekend exhibit what is left of themselves. Even if it turns out to be very little, that should still be enough for Joshua and Fury to triumph against Kristian Prenga and Mariusz Wach respectively. If the point of those exercises is questionable then the task that awaits Spence is, by comparison, somewhat formidable. He takes on Tim Tszyu in Australia in a bout set at 160lbs. Will Spence show he still has what it takes at 36 or will he become the latest athlete to realise that time is the cruellest opponent of them all? Elsewhere, Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn reminded everyone how much noise they can make and how hard they can appear.  Thanks for listening and for your support, amigos.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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