The Opening Bell

https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcastFollowing another absorbing, high-end heavyweight battle we examine the performances of Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and the scorecards which ruled the Ukrainian a handsome winner.Usyk officially cemented his place in history - but is Fury right to feel aggrieved that the judges went against him?What’s next for Usyk and is there really any mileage in a third fight?And is there anything that Fury could have done differently at this stage of his career?As always, we’re keen to hear your thoughts. Thanks for your glorious support in 2024; we wish you all a very merry Christmas and the happiest of new years.

https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcastIn the final preview pod of Usyk v Fury, the rematch, we check in with DAZN pundit and commentator Barry Jones with his take on fight week from Saudi. Have there been an clues or red herrings? Can we expect the unexpected from Fury? Will it be more of the fantastic same from the first fight? All this and more in our final preview pod. And don’t forget to download our big fight reaction pod with Alex and Matt on Sunday.

With mere days to go before Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury go into battle again, we dissect every facet of the rematch and name the winner.Alongside analysis of their first scrap, we explore the psychology of both fighters, their form in rematches and their behaviour in fight week.Before all of that, we explore the potential for controversy, which might have been heightened following the emergence of a curious conflict of interest regarding one of the officials.Keep listening, subscribing and spreading the good word of The Opening Bell. Go well, dear listener.

https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcastWe’re spoilt for choice while compiling the best of Oleksandr Usyk as he journeys into a rematch with Tyson Fury.His performance in the first fight is a contender for top spot, so too his wins over Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.Fear not, his dominance at cruiserweight is not forgotten either. How would you rank his greatest hits?

https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcastIn a special episode we look back on the career of Tyson Fury and rank his finest performances.There’s the three Deontay Wilder fights jostling for position, the toppling of Wladimir Klitschko, the domestic beatdowns of Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte, and that first encounter with Oleksandr Usyk.What will come out on top?

https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcastAs we prepare to kick off a huge fight week that will lead us to the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, we’re in Miami reporting from the WBA convention.There’s a stunning upset involving Jaime Munguia to dissect, the performances of Tasha Jonas and Lauren Price to admire, and a bizarre brawl at heavyweight to reflect upon.In This Week, we go back to the exact moment in history when Matthew Saad Muhammad was stripped of his superpowers.Thanks for listening!

https://www.patreon.com/TheOpeningBellPodcastAs the boxing year draws to a close, rumours are again rife that two of the biggest stars - Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford - will collide in a superfight in 2025.We also discuss what’s really happening, down here in reality. There were wins for Denzel Bentley, Richardson Hitchins and Emanuel Navarrete again exhibited his curious yet suffocating effectiveness.Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price return on the same week that, 16 years ago, Carl Froch threatened to become a household name with a thrilling victory over Jean Pascal.

Though Gamal Yafai beating Sunny Edwards was not an upset, the one-sided nature of the beatdown was a surprise. The brilliant Yafai marches on while Edwards, Galal’s conqueror in the amateurs, announces his retirement.Elsewhere, UKAD surrendered to Conor Benn in his fight to be cleared but the finer details of his case remain completely unclear - we ask why.And in This Week, we look back on a scintillating performance from Donald Curry in 1985. Little did anyone know at the time that Curry’s thrashing of Milton McCrory would all but signal the beginning of the end for his flirtation with greatness.

In a fascinating and hard to call winter showdown, Sunny Edwards visits Galal Yafai in Birmingham for a battle with worldwide implications.We review Harlem Eubank’s return while looking at the increasing likelihood that his cousin will soon be confirmed as Conor Benn’s next opponent. With that in mind, the WBC’s justification for Benn’s lofty ranking at welterweight might surprise you.In This Week, we go back to 2004 for the final instalment in the terrific feud between Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.To all of you who continue to support us, in whichever way you can, we thank you.