The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

It emerged last week that Spencer Brown - not Dana White, Bob Arum or Frank Warren - will promote Tyson Fury's return in April. We explore the reasons why and the wider implications of that as Zuffa continue to make noise all over the boxing world.

Arum's Top Rank return with a new, Dazn broadcasting deal, Anthony Cacace edges Jazza Dickens and also in Dublin, Pierce O'Leary makes a statement.

Meanwhile, in 1995, Herbie Hide is made to look like he's on a bouncy castle during a chaotic battle with Riddick Bowe for This Week.

Keep sounding The Opening Bell folks, and go well.
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Jai Opetaia’s quest for ‘undisputed’ recognition hit a snag
when the IBF belatedly refused to sanction his bout with Brandon Glanton. Will
his allegiance to Zuffa mean he’ll have to rethink his ambitions?

We catch up on the ongoing developments with Vergil Ortiz,
who was seemingly close to fighting Jaron Ennis, in his quest to unshackle
himself from Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy promotions.

Alex and Matt were this week at the BBBoC annual awards and
again, it proved to be a wonderful afternoon with love and appreciation aplenty
in the room.

And finally, we look ahead to this weekend’s showdown
between Anthony Cacace and Jazza Dickens.

Thanks, as always, for listening.

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Another mad week in the boxing business saw temperatures rise, battle lines drawn and shots fired. What, or who, will be left standing? There was the billion-dollar Queensberry lawsuit, the WBC fighting for relevancy by sanctioning a fight between their heavyweight champion and a boxing novice from martial arts while Conor Benn's next opponent wasn't as promised. There is appreciation for the unusual and effective Emanuel Navarrete while looking ahead to Jai Opetaia launching the Zuffa belt plus in This Week we remember the raw 2000 version of Manny Pacquiao.

If you like the work of Matt and Alex please show your support by for the pod by subscribing via Patreon or Apple +. Cheers.
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BENN LEAVES EDDIE - MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO II - GARCIA BEATS BARRIOS - WOOD WALLOPS WARRINGTON

Zuffa Boxing made an astonishing play when they swooped to steal Conor Benn away from long-time promoter Eddie Hearn. Will Benn be proved right to leave, or will he regret walking away from Matchroom?

In another unexpected development, the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was confirmed for September. A welcome sequel or another daft pantomime?

Leigh Wood got the better of a faded Josh Warrington but the star of the weekend was Ryan Garcia who claimed a welterweight belt against Mario Barrios.

In This Week, we take a gentle stroll back to 1996 and Oliver McCall making short work of Oleg Maskaev.

Thanks for the support and keep listening, folks.
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Powerful people think they know what Boxing needs and are preparing to mould it to their own wants and beliefs. But are they right?

In this special bonus pod, Alex and Matt explore the latest moves from Dana White and TKO/Zuffa while wondering what this means for the future of the Sport and those around it.

Including the latest fight news with analysis and opinion.

This bonus pod is and early release as part of the Patreon and Apple + subscription for which we are truly grateful.
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