The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

Who’d have thought that the war-torn Derek Chisora would
ever start as favourite to beat Deontay Wilder, once the most explosive of
heavyweights? But that’s where we are with Wilder exhibiting wear and tear and
Chisora, by comparison, chugging along, surprising well. Which leads us to the
question; Who wins? And what does that win look like?

We hear from Denzel Bentley who talks candidly about
layoffs, making ends meet, drug cheats and loyalty. It’s an interview not to be
missed.

Much like The Opening Bell!

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Well, well, well. What a performance from Moses Itauma to
cement his reputation as the heavyweight king in waiting. But is everyone – and
we mean everyone – getting too excited on the strength of a victory over
Jermaine Franklin, a fighter who had previously lost his biggest fights? Or is
the expectancy surrounding Itauma, arguably the most hyped heavyweight in
history, truly justified?

As well as plotting an ideal route to the top for Moses, we
briefly examine Dave Allen being chucked in with Filip Hrgovic and reflect on
Sebastian Fundora’s pummelling of veteran Keith Thurman.

In This Week, it’s back to 1981, where Marvin Hagler oozes
style at ringside as Sugar Ray Leonard shows his spiteful side while
overpowering Larry Bonds.

The Opening Bell podcast is here, come and get it!

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The man widely regarded as the next dominant heavyweight,
Moses Itauma, continues his education against Jermaine Franklin this weekend.
But what to expect from Franklin? Nobody expects him to win but some are predicting
he’ll be the first to provide the youngster with a semblance of a test.

Over in America, Keith Thurman looks to roll back the years
against Sebastian Fundora. Will the ‘Towering Inferno’ prove a leap too far?

Closer to home, Michael Conlan announced his retirement,
George Liddard came through a difficult assignment, the death of Ricky Hatton
is explored and in Australia, Jai Opetaia again wakes up as an ex-champion
without having lost a fight.

In This Week, we point the time machine to 2000 and Diego
Corrales duelling with Derrick Gainer as he readies for Floyd Mayweather.

What’s that beautiful noise you hear? It’s The Opening Bell,
folks.

 

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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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