The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

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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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!

 

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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.

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