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  • THE FALL OF MOSES
    2026/09/01
    In a startling collapse that culminated one of the most dramatic heavyweight fights of the year, Moses Itauma ultimately met his match in the shape of the rugged and unyielding Filip Hrgovic. But what came before that fateful ninth round should tell us two things: Hrgovic is built differently to most and Itauma, for different reasons, is also one of a kind. So, what went wrong? Plenty have suggested that Itauma merely misread his own gas tank and, with crucial experience gained, will come back better and stronger. But one also wonders if it will be as simple as that. The psychological scars could be substantial, after all. There’s also the performance of Ben Davison to consider. Has he really gone from one of the best trainers around to a clueless buffoon who doesn’t know when to throw a towel? Or is someone like the precocious and instinctive Itauma simply impossible to teach or manage? Elsewhere, Chantelle Cameron got past Mikaela Mayer, who again believed she deserved more from the scoring judges after an entertaining scrap. And looking ahead, Katie Taylor prepares for her swansong in a Croke Park showcase surely designed to ensure she’s still singing at the end. Spread the word of The Opening Bell, comrades. And hit the subscribe button if you really want to make yourself useful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 2 分
  • MOSES ITAUMA: THE FUTURE IS NOW
    2026/08/25
    Despite all the noise reverberating from the negotiations between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – noise that, unfortunately, we must address – a meaningful, and potentially pivotal, heavyweight title clash occurs this weekend when Moses Itauma duels with Filip Hrgovic. Will this be the fight when we see Itauma truly tested or, as the oddsmakers suggest, will it be another one-sided triumph for the 21-year-old? And if Itauma does indeed do what is expected and win convincingly, will he then be able to cope with the pressure of being the youngest heavyweight belt-holder since the heady days of Mike Tyson’s peak? Last weekend, George Liddard aced his latest test when he became the European middleweight champion and, in the States, Teofimo Lopez was handed a get-out-of-jail-free card by Rolly Romero. We bring you an update on Ringside Charitable Trust, and you can access their website here, before hurtling back to 2013 and the night when cult hero Jhonny Gonzalez marmalized Abner Mares inside one round. Thank you, as always, for supporting The Opening Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 11 分
  • BACK TO THE FUTURE
    2026/08/18
    What do we want? AJ vs. Fury! Where do want it? At this point, who cares… Dana White this week came out and revealed he’s brokered the TV and site deals for Joshua vs. Fury but the old problem remains: Both fighters signed contracts with different locations, dates, and terms. Whether it happens or not, we are getting to the point of no return for this heavyweight showdown that, frankly, should already be in the past. It’s an interesting discussion, though. What does the future for boxing really look like? Can Moses Itauma, for example, ever become a crossover star if he’s forced to fight behind hard-to-find paywalls from this point forth? Furthermore, what becomes of the sport at grassroots level if only those that are already in full bloom are getting any water? Claressa Shields reminded of her star power at the weekend even if her opponent, Kaye Scott, was overmatched and outclassed from the start. We look ahead to Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez which undoubtedly is a good fight. But on what planet is it a PPV fight? Finally, we go back to 2016 and the contest that arguably signalled the start of Errol Spence Jnr’s peak: The beatdown of the gnarled Leonard Bundu in Coney Island, New York. Keep ringing that Opening Bell, folks. We thank you for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 13 分
  • BROOK BACK: EUBANK NEXT?
    2026/08/11
    Kell Brook this week announced he will be coming back in a ‘massive fight’ later in the year at the age of 40, highlighting once again how difficult peace of mind is to find in the boxing afterlife. Chris Eubank Jnr, who could soon be another case in point, has been rumoured as the opponent and proves, once again, there is little that can be done when ageing boxers, fit and well on the surface, want to keep fighting. Also bracing himself for a return is Joseph Parker who has served a three-month ban after UKAD examined the heavyweight’s reasoning for having traces of cocaine in his system and deemed them feasible enough. Callum Simpson gained revenge over Troy Williamson at the weekend, getting by with a little help from new coach Robert McCracken, but also exhibiting that there’s plenty for them to work on. A new ‘world champion’ was crowned in Dublin on Saturday night as Aaron McKenna picked up the IBF-flavoured slice of the middleweight pie but how far away is the Irishman from becoming the world’s best at 160lbs? Probably not as far away as countryman Callum Walsh who, on the Zuffa undercard, passed the Tyler Denny test. In This Week, get ready to lamp up a fat one and get lost in the hazy days of Smokin’ Bert Cooper. In August 1991, with would-be opponent Bruce Seldon outside the ring and Michael Buffer in glorious voice inside of it, the swarming slugger took on Anthony Wade in an event glowing with 90’s nostalgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 10 分
  • START SPREADING THE NEWS
    2026/08/04
    On the week when it looks all but certain that the all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will land in New York, a fight with serious consequences for the current title picture in the division – Moses Itauma and Frank Sanchez on August 29 – was upgraded to an IBF title fight. The Fury-Joshua news will no doubt make those already in a spin about the location lose their minds completely. But before we put the blame solely at the feet of Netflix and Turki Alalshikh, one crucial thing should be remembered: Nobody is forcing Joshua or Fury to fight outside of the UK. And hey, there are worse places than New York to host heavyweight boxing. In Dublin there was a contest worthy of any stage in the world as Mark Chamberlain surprised most when he defeated Pierce O’Leary in the kind of topsy-turvy thriller that should buoy us all as to why we’re here. Yet, on the undercard, the fate of Lee Reeves reminds us of the violent nature of the Sport. Over in Las Vegas, meanwhile, William Zepeda proved too good for Lamont Roach. We preview the weekend’s action with the sequel between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson leading the way and Zuffa’s trip to Dublin will give Aaron McKenna and Callum Walsh a chance to shine. Last, but never least, is your weekly dose of nostalgia and a time when Oscar De La Hoya – as he tears through Jorge Paez – was a fresh-faced up-and-comer yet to be scarred by this wackiest of businesses. Thanks to one and all for the support, we appreciate you. Subscribe, however, and we’ll appreciate you even more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 27 分
  • JOSHUA v FURY: OVERCOOKED
    2026/07/28
    After the performances of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury last weekend, there can now be no doubt that the two British heavyweights are both past their best. Furthermore, it is more obvious than ever before that the fight we wanted all those years ago – when they were 1 and 2 in the heavyweight division – is gone forever. So, what are we left with? Joshua remains a frightful puncher, that much is clear. But he looks so susceptible these days it’s difficult to imagine him surviving any kind of onslaught from Fury. Whether Fury is these days capable of producing that onslaught, while also avoiding Joshua’s right hand, when he couldn’t avoid that of 46-year-old Marius Wach, likely makes the bout as well-matched as it’s ever been. Don’t expect either to walk away until this long and winding saga has reached a close, though. Unlike Errol Spence Jnr, who realised against Tim Tszyu that his days as a prize-fighter are over and announced his retirement in the aftermath. We look ahead to Pierce O’Leary-Mark Chamberlain in Ireland and Lamont Roach-William Zepeda in the US, before kicking back in the DeLorean, setting the flux capacitor to July 1999, and enjoying the last hurrah of Michael Carbajal against Jorge Arce. Spread the good word of The Opening Bell, folks. And thanks, as always, for the support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 8 分
  • JOSHUA, FURY AND SPENCE TEST FATHER TIME
    2026/07/21
    Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Errol Spence will all this weekend exhibit what is left of themselves. Even if it turns out to be very little, that should still be enough for Joshua and Fury to triumph against Kristian Prenga and Mariusz Wach respectively. If the point of those exercises is questionable then the task that awaits Spence is, by comparison, somewhat formidable. He takes on Tim Tszyu in Australia in a bout set at 160lbs. Will Spence show he still has what it takes at 36 or will he become the latest athlete to realise that time is the cruellest opponent of them all? Elsewhere, Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn reminded everyone how much noise they can make and how hard they can appear. Thanks for listening and for your support, amigos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 分
  • JOYCE, CHISORA & THE LONG GOODBYE
    2026/07/14
    Joe Joyce was again on the wrong end of a painful loss, one that might, this time, mean the end. But that’s easy for those who merely watch and pass judgement to say. A case in point, when examining how difficult retirement is for a fighter to accept is Derek Chisora who teased another return by going nose-to-nose with Murat Gassiev on the same Russia event where Joyce was defeated. We examine the latest comings and goings at Zuffa and Matchroom as Johnny Fisher makes the switch. Shakur Stevenson has joined up with Dana White’s men, too plus in This Week, we go back to 1999 when Baby Jake Matlala shocks Michael Carbajal. You can support The Opening Bell by following us on all the usual social media platforms while Ad free content is available for less than a fiver a month via Apple + and Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 7 分