The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast cover art

The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

By: Matt Christie and Alex Steedman
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Summary

 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 PatreonThe Opening Bell
Episodes
  • WARDLEY vs. DUBOIS: WHO WINS? | USYK vs. BENAVIDEZ? | NAOYA INOUE

    WARDLEY vs. DUBOIS: WHO WINS? | USYK vs. BENAVIDEZ? | NAOYA INOUE
    May 5 2026
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • THE JINX SPINKS BIOGRAPHER – JACK HIRSCH

    THE JINX SPINKS BIOGRAPHER – JACK HIRSCH
    May 1 2026
    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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • JOSHUA V FURY – MOSES NEXT MOVE – INOUE V NAKATANI – BENEVIDEZ V RAMIREZ

    JOSHUA V FURY – MOSES NEXT MOVE – INOUE V NAKATANI – BENEVIDEZ V RAMIREZ
    Apr 28 2026
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 mins
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