The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

In a week when Ryan Garner scored a glorious victory in a stadium, Moses Itauma signed for his biggest test, and Boots Ennis is preparing for Xander Zayas, the biggest story is the one we know the least about: Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury. After much squabbling between various promoters about who is in control, when it will take place, and where it will be staged, Turki Alalshikh announced to the world that he is the one calling the shots. But what does the sport look like without Alalshikh in it; a very real possibility considering the recent reports about his health. Meanwhile, everyone’s ‘next heavyweight champion’ Itauma faced off with Filip Hrgovic to find someone completely unwilling to read the script. Will Hrgovic toe the line when they meet on August 29? Alex and Matt reflect on Garner’s thrilling triumph inside Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium, we look ahead to Ennis-Zayas, but arguably save the best for last… This Week is anchored in 1999 and a time when Johnny Tapia was taken by the biggest of surprises by Paulie Ayala. As ever with Tapia fights, this one has a heck of a backstory. The Opening Bell: Unbiased, unflinching, unmissable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BENN LEAVES EDDIE - MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO II - GARCIA BEATS BARRIOS - WOOD WALLOPS WARRINGTON Zuffa Boxing made an astonishing play when they swooped to steal Conor Benn away from long-time promoter Eddie Hearn. Will Benn be proved right to leave, or will he regret walking away from Matchroom? In another unexpected development, the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was confirmed for September. A welcome sequel or another daft pantomime? Leigh Wood got the better of a faded Josh Warrington but the star of the weekend was Ryan Garcia who claimed a welterweight belt against Mario Barrios. In This Week, we take a gentle stroll back to 1996 and Oliver McCall making short work of Oleg Maskaev. Thanks for the support and keep listening, folks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE POND, THE ATLANTIC AND TYSON FURY | WARRINGTON-WOOD II I SMOKIN’ BERT COOPER Tyson Fury is back with promises of domination and soundbites aplenty. But will Arslanbek Makhmudov really find competing with him as difficult as swimming the Atlantic in bad weather? And is Fury really planning to do his fighting without a trainer? And when will John Fury just grow up? Elsewhere at heavyweight, Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois have agreed to collide in a sumptuous matchup with huge consequences. This weekend, there’s Leigh Wood-Josh Warrington to look forward to in the UK and Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia in the US. Best of all, however, is the chance to go back to 1987 and witness a young ‘Smokin’ Bert Cooper in blistering form. Willie de Witt never stood a chance…. Thanks for the sport, comrades. Keep listening and spread the word. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices