The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

Is Rico Verhoeven about to do the unthinkable and upset world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk? Well, no, of course he’s not, but what Usyk ultimately looks like and how he wins are certainly worthwhile questions. So too is the status of the belts as, in different ways, each of the WBC, IBF and WBA somehow approve this as a championship contest.

Better is the undercard where Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr meet in a solid heavyweight eliminator and Jack Catterall goes in tough against Shakram Glyasov. Hamzah Sheeraz, however, might have an even easier night than Usyk when he battles Alem Bagic for a vacant title.

The Opening Bell, the independent voice in boxing.
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Though not yet formally announced, Ryan Garcia has signalled that a showdown with Conor Benn, at welterweight, will happen in Las Vegas on September 12. It seems certain to be one of the year’s biggest and most lucrative contests albeit a divisive one given their chequered pasts with drug-testing agencies.

It’s set to occur on the same day that Canelo Alvarez returns, in Saudi Arabia, to challenge for a super middleweight belt against Christian Mbilli. Does this mean that Turki Alalshikh is plotting another all-conquering weekend extravaganza?

Closer to home, in Doncaster, Dave Allen’s place in the heavyweight landscape was again revealed when he was pulled out in three rounds against Filip Hrgovic. The result was predictable, but again brings into focus the role of referees, trainers and doctors when it comes to stopping a fight.

In This Week we go back to 1990, a new decade in its infancy and two of the finest fighters of the time – Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whittaker and Azumah Nelson – making their cases to be recognised among the leaders of the sport.

The Opening Bell, the independent voice in boxing.
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Filip Hrgovic starts as a huge favourite, and for good reason, against Dave Allen this weekend. But does the affable Brit have any chance to score the upset?Allen’s losses seem to tell the story here but we highlight why Hrgovic might - and only might - come unstuck.Steedo, after calling right last week, reveals his bet of the weekend as we look closely at the form lines on the undercard.As always, friends, go well out there!
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Daniel Dubois stopping Fabio Wardley was a generational thriller but, even so, it’s only fair to ask if the hellacious warfare went too far.There were questions about the timing of the stoppage, with some suggesting it came far too late, as Wardley’s face oozed blood and his battered body betrayed his lust for victory.Regardless, Dubois again confounded critics as he got off the floor, not one but twice, to regain a portion of the heavyweight crown.We look back, too, on the build-up and the uncomfortable nature of coverage that seemed to focus a little too cruelly on Dubois’ shortcomings in interviews.In This Week, we cruise back to 1999 for some Jorge Paez action and a completely unrecognisable Adam Smith showcasing his early commentary style.Thanks for being here, folks, we appreciate you.
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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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