The Opening Bell

On the same week that Boots Ennis edged forward, Chris Eubank Jr considered an offer from Canelo Alvarez and Derek Chisora got into a scuffle on a London Street.Victory over the plucky but outclassed David Avanesyan told us nothing new about Ennis but his promise was certainly reaffirmed.Eubank Jr’s promise, meanwhile, may not have long left. So why on earth is he not signing on the dotted line to face the most marketable fighter in the sport?In This Week, we go back to the thriller-rich year of 1982 and bask in the brilliance of Salvador Sanchez and Azumah Nelson.Support us, ditch those adverts and get the bonus pods by signing up to Patreon if you can. If you can’t, all we ask is that you spread the word of The Opening Bell.https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast ‎

The bi-annual Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes are well underway and a surprise leader in the race to take on the Mexican superstar is none other than Chris Eubank Jr.Elsewhere, the Ryan Garcia story has gone from bad to revolting with little sign of a happy ending. There was some rough luck for O’Shaquie Foster on the scorecards and Shakur Stevenson, now a free agent, once again coasted to a victory that failed to excite.In This Week In History we go back 14 years to ride the Amir Khan rollercoaster again.Thanks to all who have signed up to Patreon to help us along. If you haven’t, and you can, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcastIf you can’t, please leave a review, rate the show, tell everyone about us!

The week in which Anthony Joshua went nose to nose with Daniel Dubois and squabbled with Carl Froch was also when Bam Rodriguez confirmed his superstar qualities when he trounced the great Juan Francisco Estrada.Yet it was Joshua’s declaration of help for Ringside Charitable Trust that was arguably the greatest statement of a busy period.Elsewhere, the WBC insist that the comeback of 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao is a terrific idea, Teofimo Lopez went 12 rounds again and Sunny Edwards returned to winning ways.It was also a week that celebrated the anniversary of Steve Collins scrapping with the remnants of Nigel Benn in 1996.Thanks to everyone who has signed up for Patreon, you rock our world!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast

Fury raised eyebrows this week with his suggestion it was too easy early on against Usyk; that he was simply having too much fun. We try to make sense of a boxer’s dilemma.Sunny Edwards faces a similar conundrum on his return this weekend on the undercard of Estrada v Bam Rodriguez. This excellent fight is previewed in detail.Tyler Denny’s latest big win is reviewed with the leading question; Can Denny snag a big name in a big fight?And Ryan Garcia’s is in the news. Again. His positive test punishment, followed by a curious WBC statement is discussed.Meanwhile a controversial result from the 90’s is remembered with a bristling first encounter between Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech in This Week.Please subscribe, rate and leave a review and if you can, subscribe to the pod on Patreon for less than a fiver each month. https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast

Once again, with that familiar sense of inevitability, Gervonta Davis caught up with his opponent and left him barely conscious with a brutal finish.This time it was Frank Martin being run over by ‘Tank’ but what comes next is unknown. Bob Arum has been talking up Vasyl Lomachenko, an opponent befitting of the American’s talents, but arguments can be made that Davis is doing just fine as he is.We also look back on Chris Billam-Smith’s points success over Richard Riakporhe, a new pinnacle in the Bournemouth star’s ever improving career.There’s talking points surrounding Canelo Alvarez, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia as well as trip back to 1979 and a rip-roaring barnburner between Danny ‘Little Red’ Lopez and Mike Ayala.Leave a review if you have time and we’ll read it out. Better still, sign up to our Patreon to guarantee the pod’s future. We love you all. Thanks for the support.https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcast

A warm welcome awaits you at the sound of this week’s Opening Bell.A huge weekend approaches with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis making his latest play to be the biggest boxing star in America when he takes on fellow southpaw, Frank Martin.In the UK, Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe renew their rivalry in a fascinating battle.We also discuss the latest exploits of Tyson Fury while focusing on the tricky boxing afterlife and talk to the one and only Andy Clarke about his critically acclaimed book, Knockout. Andy Clarke 'The Knockout' can be purchased here: https://amzn.eu/d/1rSqAYCIn This Week In History, we don’t venture too far back this time - it’s the brutal encounter between Miguel Cotto and Zab Judah.